Rabbits can suffer from environmental allergens or have food allergies, but the question is how do you treat them? Well, first you need to identify the cause. Most allergies cause the same symptoms so diagnosis can be tricky. Let's look at possible causes, their symptoms, and how to manage them, helping you get your rabbit's immune system back on track...

What Could My Rabbit Be Allergic To?

The most common rabbit allergies which might be affecting your pet include:

Mites and fleas: rabbits can have an allergic reaction to parasites such as fleas and mites, which causes itchiness, skin lesions and hair loss. The rabbit will excessively scratch, lick, and bite the affected areas.

Strong scents: pet rabbits can suffer from respiratory problems due to allergies caused by products used within the home like air fresheners or carpet cleaning products. They can also be allergic to vaping fumes and cigarette smoke. Not only do rabbits inhale the chemicals, but they also ingest them when they clean their fur.

Hay: rabbits can have hay allergies although it’s most likely hay dust or mould that’s causing the problem. If your rabbit is allergic to hay, you may need to try different types of hay – some rabbits have allergic reactions to Timothy hay but not Orchard grass hay, or vice versa. Hay should be replaced regularly and kept dry to prevent mould growth.

Dust: rabbits can be allergic to hay dust, but the particles of dust in your home can also cause an allergic reaction. They irritate the lining of the nasal passage causing nasal discharge and sneezing. A dust allergy causes respiratory problems so you may notice a difference in the sound of your rabbit’s breathing.

Food allergies: a rabbit’s diet should consist mostly of grass and hay and be accompanied with fresh fruit and vegetables. But some rabbits can be allergic to certain types of food – even fruits and vegetables can cause an allergic reaction. Pellets and ingredients within commercial mixes can also be the cause of the problem.

Rabbit Allergy Symptoms

The most common bunny allergy symptoms include clear nasal discharge, sneezing, itching, excessively pawing at face and nose, or repeatedly rubbing their face on the ground. Some allergies can cause allergic conjunctivitis, which causes weepy or watery eyes, redness, and inflammation of the eyelids.

Rabbits suffering from a food allergy will likely have diarrhoea or loose stools (also seen with hay dust allergies). You may notice a reduced appetite and weight loss in your rabbit. This is of extreme concern and requires immediate veterinary attention.

Other common symptoms include hair loss, a matted and unhealthy coat, ear problems, and inflamed skin. They may excessively scratch or overgroom leading to hair loss and red, scaly skin.

How Do I Find Out What My Rabbit Is Allergic To?

Pet allergies are difficult to diagnose as symptoms may not be seen until a few days after exposure to the allergen. Plus, rabbit allergy symptoms can be similar to signs of other health problems. Your vet will take a detailed history and may carry out diagnostic allergy tests to try to determine the cause. You should make note of any recent changes to your rabbit’s diet or environment, like type of bedding or house cleaning products.

In most cases, the best way to find out the allergen is to eliminate possible causes, but keep in mind that it may take several days for symptoms to clear after the allergen has been removed.

What Treatment Options Are There for Rabbit Allergies?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any cures for allergies in rabbits but there are ways to manage them. To manage flea and mite allergies, keep your rabbit’s enclosure clean and regularly apply parasite treatment to all your pets to protect them from infestations.

Rabbits with food allergies can be treated by eliminating foods that cause an allergic reaction and feeding them a strict diet. Hay should never be removed from your rabbit’s diet, so if they have hay allergies you’ll need to switch to a different variety. To minimize hay dust, try removing the hay out of the bag and shake it before giving it to your bunny. The hay should be kept dry and replaced frequently to make sure there’s no mould growth.

Environmental allergens can be managed by removing the source. When cleaning remove your rabbit from the room, use natural low fume products, and make sure you ventilate during and after. Maintaining the cleanliness of your home will also help to minimize dust. Instead of smoking or vaping indoors, make sure you do it outside and away from your rabbit.

Like you, your pet rabbit can suffer from many different types of allergies. There’s no cure, but most symptoms are manageable after finding out the cause. Elimination of the source of your rabbit's allergens is the best treatment. Prolonged exposure to allergens can cause serious health problems, so contact your vet if you suspect your rabbit has an allergy.

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

Here at Everypaw, we want to help you keep your bunny healthy and in tip top shape. So, when it comes to your young rabbit’s care, Everypaw’s Rabbit Insurance could be just the cover to look after your little thumper.

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