Rabbits are fragile creatures and get sick quickly. Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits do not have a robust immune system. The slightest change in the weather, atmosphere, or a rabbit’s diet can make the animal spiral into various diseases.
Bunnies have sensitive noses and can sneeze a lot. If you have a new pet rabbit, it might concern you how healthy sneezing is and when you should seek a professional vet for help.
Bunny rabbits look pretty cute when they sneeze due to their small stature. However, if a furry rabbit has wet sneezes and is excreting a large amount of mucus, it cannot be a pretty sight. It will be a concerning matter that will need caution. So, why does a rabbit sneeze?
A rabbit sneezes for many reasons like dust, allergies, perfumes, sprays, etc. Not all sneezes will require medical attention. However, if your rabbit is excreting mucus, you will need a professional vet’s help.
As rabbits cannot voice their concerns, you must keep an eye on your rabbit’s sneezes and judge whether it needs a vet. Knowing your rabbit’s health needs can be tricky in the beginning.
However, with time and through research, you can become a bunny expert and raise your precious pet flawlessly. Keep scrolling to learn more about your bunny’s sneezing and how to help!
Also Check Out: How Often Do Rabbits Pee?
10 Reasons Why Your Rabbit Can Be Sneezing
Knowing why your rabbit does something is a step towards a healthy relationship with your pet and a stress-free life.
Rabbits are helpless animals and rely on their owners for food, safety, and health maintenance. So, here are ten reasons why your rabbit is sneezing for you to understand and comfort your precious furry friend:
1. Perfume or Sprays
If you have a new pet rabbit, the animal is probably not used to perfumes and air fresheners. An indoor pet can occasionally sneeze when you apply perfume or use sprays in your house.
When you switch your deodorant, perfume, or air freshener, your older pet rabbit can get sneezy with the change in smells. These sneezes are nothing to worry about unless your rabbit is allergic to the components of the sprays.
2. Dust
Your snobbish pet rabbit is likely to sneeze due to dust. If you use sawdust or straw that has accumulated dust over time, your bunny can have an itchy nose and sneeze.
Plus, when you are at the bottom of the hay pile and feed the dust-ridden hay to your poor furry friend, it can make your rabbit sneezy. Try giving your rabbit clean bedding and hay to avoid a runny nose and unwanted sneezes.
3. Allergies
Your furry pet may sneeze at something you recently introduced to your rabbit. Rabbits have sensitive organs and can be allergic to plenty of things.
As an allergic reaction to a new blanket, food, water bottle, or a new mate, your bunny can exhibit constant sneezing. It is nothing to be concerned about, and you can avoid it once you realize what triggers your rabbit’s allergies.
4. Hay Stuck in the Nose
When your furry friend is munching on its food, there can be times when small pieces of hay or straw find their way up your rabbit’s nose.
It can give your bunny an itchy feeling, making it sneezy constantly. If your bunny keeps sneezing without apparent health issues, check its nose for small stuck pieces of hay.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Drink Tap Water?
5. Infection
Rabbits experience more infections often than a pet owner would like. Bunnies have sensitive respiratory systems and organs.
The slightest irritants and bacteria in the air can cause these little creatures to have an infection. If your rabbit is constantly sneezing and has a runny nose, chances are it has an infection and needs a vet.
6. Inhaling Smoke
People who smoke or are exposed to passive smoking feel irritated and cough. It is a health hazard for them.
Rabbits are more fragile than humans; when exposed to passive smoke, their lungs cannot accept it. Your rabbit will constantly sneeze if it has access to smoke, trying to relieve the burning and irritating sensation in your rabbit’s tiny lungs.
7. Improper Litter
Only some things will be suitable for your precious pet bunny. When picking litter and bedding for your rabbit, you must be mindful of your rabbit’s health and allergies.
Pine and cedar litter and bedding cause trouble for your little guy’s respiratory system. Your rabbit’s body will induce sneezing to relieve your pet’s irritation and stuffiness caused by inappropriate litter or bedding.
8. Respiratory Issue
Your rabbit can be sneezing due to some hidden respiratory issues. If your rabbit suffers from a respiratory problem, it will have a runny nose, watery eyes, and constant sneezing. Do not wait for the problem to disappear in such a case, and contact your vet immediately.
9. Snuffles
Snuffles sound cute by their name, but it is the opposite sight when a rabbit contracts it. A severe bacterial infection can cause intense pain to a poor bunny rabbit. If your rabbit has constantly been sneezing, it can have snuffles.
Look out for symptoms of mucus around the nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, matted fur on the face, loss of appetite, and mucus-ridden front paws. If your rabbit has these symptoms, contact your vet and book an appointment immediately.
10. Just Sneezy
Sometimes rabbits are just sneezy. Often at times, we notice people sneeze out of the blue, once or thrice in a row. Rabbits can experience a similar situation.
There have been cases where people have had sneezy rabbits that sneeze plenty of times in a day for no apparent reason. Your bunny can be one of those. However, it is best to monitor mucus discharge to avoid any unwanted mishaps.
Also Check Out: Can Rabbits Drink Tap Water?
What To Do With A Sneezy Bunny Rabbit?
There are plenty of ways to treat a rabbit with a constant sneezing problem. However, the treatment will depend on the root cause of the sneezing. Taking your rabbit to the vet will be the first step towards recovering your poor rabbit.
While you wait for your turn at the vet, keep your rabbit calm. When bunnies are physically sick, they also tend to get emotionally triggered. Stroke your rabbit fur and give it head rubs to ensure your bunny knows you will take care of it in this challenging time.
Here is what to expect when you are at the vet:
Allergic Reaction
If your rabbit has an allergic reaction, the vet will try to find the source of the allergy by the process of elimination. Once the source is known, the vet will advise you to stay away from complex foods and give your bunny the basic food required. It will be easier to eradicate any unwanted allergy triggers for your rabbit.
Infection
The vet will conduct blood tests to gain an in-depth knowledge of the infection. Bacterial and viral infections require different treatment pathways. After your vet has determined the cause of the infection, he will give your precious pet antibiotics and some precautions to follow.
Tumors
Tumors are challenging to get rid of as they require drastic measures. If your poor rabbit has a tumor causing sneezes, your vet will likely have to remove it through surgical measures. The vet will do a biopsy to determine whether it is a benign or malignant tumor, then set the course of treatment accordingly.
Prevention
If your rabbit is sneezing for a mild reason, your vet will tell you preventive measures to follow. These could include:
- Keep your rabbit’s environment clean.
- Provide warmth to your rabbit.
- Vaccinate your bunny.
- Ensure your rabbit is clean and groomed.
Also Check Out: What Can Rabbits Drink Besides Water?
Final Word
A sneezy bunny may look cute but only till the mucus starts running. As a pet owner, you must be alert about sneezes and coughs. There can be a chance that the sneeze you think is harmless can be a symptom of a severe disease.
If your pet rabbit sneezes occasionally, you should not be worried and make sure there is no mucus. However, if your rabbit is constantly sneezing, it should alert you. Contact your vet and tell him about the situation.
Ask for an appointment and take your bunny rabbit for a physical examination. Stay calm because your rabbit will rely on you for emotional support. Give your bunny loads of love, attention, and care, so it does not feel lonely.