As a responsible pet owner, you have probably noticed that your rabbit may sneeze from time to time. You usually hear this delicate little sound and then your rabbit will rub his face. Adorable right? However, you may have wondered why do rabbits sneeze? Is it normal? Should I be worried? The key to keeping your furry pals happy and healthy is to keep learning about them. This way if you notice anything abnormal, you can act right away! Join us as we explore sneezing in bunnies.
Why do rabbits sneeze?
Firstly, rabbits sneeze for a number of reasons, most of them are no cause for alarm, but there are times that they may be a symptom of something more serious. Here is a useful list that can offer some guidance:
Allergic Reaction
Your bunnies are very similar to people in this regard. They may be allergic to different substances. Rabbits can be allergic to dust, household chemicals, fumes, and bedding to name a few. Sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint the allergen that is affecting your rabbit. However, with some clever troubleshooting, you may be able to find the source of the allergy. When you have done this, you can help relieve your rabbit’s symptoms and the sneezing will stop.
Dust Irritation
If there is a lot of dust in your rabbit’s cage or hutch, he or she may sneeze incessantly. One of the major dust culprits for rabbits is the hay.
Strong Odors of Scents
Rabbits have extremely sensitive little noses and strong smells can send them into a sneezing fit. They may react to the strong odor of your cleaning products, for instance, bleach and ammonia may be big-ticket offenders.
Strong perfumes and colognes are also sneezing triggers, so if you are getting ready and applying perfume, your rabbit may start sneezing until the perfume molecules dissipate.
Smoke
Smoke is also an irritant that affects rabbits causing sneezing. If you are a smoker or someone in your household is a smoker, you may notice that your rabbit sneezing a lot. If you have a backyard bonfire and your bunnies are present, they may start sneezing as well.
Respiratory infections
Sneezing is a symptom of both upper and lower respiratory infections. This is why you should never simply ignore sneezes in rabbits. If you suspect that your rabbit has an infection take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. An untreated respiratory infection can be fatal to rabbits. Infections are often accompanied by other symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, wheezing, and weepy eyes.
Poor choice of litter or Bedding
Sometimes, you can miss the mark when choosing litter or bedding. You should avoid cedar and pine bedding since these types of wood release a chemical called phenols which can have a negative impact on a rabbit’s respiratory system. These litters can be toxic in the long term to rabbits, causing liver failure. So be sure to pay attention to labels when buying bedding and litters.
Should I be worried if my rabbit sneezes?
If your rabbit sneezes occasionally there is no need to panic, however, if your rabbits’ sneeze is accompanied by other troubling symptoms, it may be time to take your pet rabbit to the veterinarian.
The following scenarios can be serious and should not be ignored.
Snoring bunny
This one may seem odd at first since you may think to yourself what does one have to do with the other? Firstly, if your rabbit always snored, you should not be worried. However, if your rabbit started sneezing and now you notice that the snoring has started. There may be a problem. This could mean that your rabbit has a respiratory obstruction, and his nasal passage may be blocked by a foreign object or mucus. Take your rabbit to the vet to be on the safe side.
Teary eyes
If you notice that your rabbit is sneezing more than usual, and her eyes are watery. This could be a sign of a respiratory infection. Please do not ignore these symptoms, since respiratory infections in rabbits are considered a serious condition and can be life-threatening if left unchecked.
Lethargy
A lack of energy is never a good sign in rabbits. So, if your rabbit has been sneezing and seems to be doing less frolicking. He or she may be coming down with something and you should monitor whether the sneezes are coming more regular.
Snotty Sneezes
A sneeze, accompanied by thick mucus can be very detrimental to your rabbit’s health. It may start with a watery discharge that you notice around your rabbit’s nose. The fur around his nose will be noticeably wet. This is usually a sign that your rabbit may have contracted Snuffles, a common respiratory condition among bunnies. However, if it is left untreated, the snot or mucus thickens and may cause breathing problems.
Loss of balance and Head tilting
If your bunny’s sneeze seems to be persistent and he appears not to be able to keep his balance, there may be cause for concern. The sneezing could be a sign of infection as indicated above. However, the infection may have started as respiratory and spread to the ear. An ear infection can affect balance hence the head tilting and ungainly walk. Head tilting can also be a sign of a stroke or cancer. So if your rabbit seems disoriented schedule a veterinarian visit right away.
Drooling
Sneezes accompanied by drooling is an indication that your bunny is trying to breathe through her mouth. She may be congested and unable to breathe through her nasal passageway. Drooling may also be a sign that your rabbit has overgrown teeth. Either way, take your pet rabbit to the vet, so she can be examined and treated properly.
Wheezing and Coughing
If a sneeze is just one among other cold-like symptoms like wheezing and coughing your pet rabbit could be seriously sick and experiencing problems breathing. This might mean that your rabbit’s airway is blocked by either an object or mucus. Be sure to have your bun checked out.
What can I do to help my rabbit stop sneezing?
Of course, there are steps you can take to help minimize your bunny’s sneezing.
Choose safe litter and bedding materials
As mentioned above certain materials can be irritants and cause your bunny to sneeze frequently. We recommend hay, straw, aspen, cardboard, paper pulp, and wood pellets. You can find them in your local pet store or online. Choose wisely.
Create a smoke-free environment for your rabbit
If you are a smoker or there are smokers in your household. Please try to not to smoke around your rabbit. Smoke outdoors if your bunny is kept indoors. You can also consider using an air filter in your home. So that it eliminates that cigarette smoke that tends to linger in the air for a while. You can check out a HEPA filter that removes the physical smoke from the room. E-cigarettes are also a good option if you are willing to make the switch.
Use natural cleaning agents
We recommend using natural cleaners that are less harsh and do not emit toxic fumes that may irritate your rabbit’s nasal passage. Vinegar and baking soda are great options that are safe to use around bunnies.
No bunnies when putting on perfume or cologne
If you are preparing for a night on the town, make sure that your bunny is not in your bedroom or bathroom when you are applying your fragrances.
Avoid the hay dust
Dust in hay is somewhat unavoidable, but you can avoid large amounts of it by not using the hay at the bottom of the bag, where the dust settles.
Clean your rabbit hutch and cages often
The only way to keep dust and other irritants at bay is to clean your rabbit enclosure regularly. This will prevent a build-up of both irritants and allergens that may make your bunny sneeze. We recommend that you pay particular attention to the litter box since the ammonia from your bunny’s urine can accumulate irritating your rabbit’s nose.
Troubleshoot Allergens
In order to isolate the allergen that is affecting your rabbit, you need to be methodical in your approach. You need to remove each item from your rabbit’s enclosure and then monitor your bunny for at least a week. If you notice less sneezing, you have found the allergen. If not remove another object in your rabbit’s cage that you suspect may be the culprit and repeat the process again. If you find the allergen, you may be well on your way to a no sneeze zone.
While a sneeze may seem harmless enough and most of the time, it is. It should not be ignored if it appears that your rabbit is sneezing too often. If it is happening frequently on a daily basis and especially if you are noticing other symptoms as well, take your bun to the vet right away. We encourage you to continue putting your rabbit’s health first.