Pet Rabbits And Fleas

Pet rabbits are not prone to fleas. Indoor bunnies that live in homes without other pets almost never get them. Pet rabbits that play on the lawn may get them, but probably won't. Pet rabbits that live in homes with dogs and cats are the ones that are more prone to have fleas.

Rabbits are pretty sensitive to chemicals. It is not a good idea to randomly use dog and cat products on your pet rabbit. Rabbits are more like horses than they are dogs or cats. If you think about a rabbit's diet and a horse's, you will understand more why I say that.

Rabbits are also susceptible to respiratory illness. If they breathe in dust, even dust from their food, they may develop pneumonia or another respiratory illness. So I would hesitate to use a flea powder on my rabbit. Some people do, but I am very cautious about my bunnies.

My sister used her dog medication on her rabbit. She just placed a drop between the shoulder blades. All of Abby's fur fell out! It is very important to use the right flea medication.

Virginia Richardson, in Rabbits: Health, Husbandry & Diseases, states that pyrethrin sprays may be used. Additionally, according to Richardson, you can use Advantage (by Bayer, 10% imidacloprid, available from 1-800-PetMeds). Virginia Richardson has a few more ideas about dealing with fleas in her book. You may want to check with your local library for a copy.

All of the standard flea advice pertains to rabbits, too. Keep the carpets vacuumed regularly. Fleas will be more active in warm weather. Treating all animals in the home is essential to keeping them under control (the fleas, not the animals!)

If you are not sure that your rabbit has fleas (they do scratch from time to time for other reasons), try this trick. Set a bowl of soapy water near the cage one night. Turn off all lights except for a flashlight or desk lamp pointing at the soapy water. The light will attract fleas and the soapy water will capture them. If you see fleas in the morning, you are certain to need to treat your rabbit and other animals.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun