How to Care for a Sneezing Rabbit

Last Updated: November 28, 2024 Approved

It is not uncommon for rabbits to sneeze and have other cold-like symptoms, like runny eyes and a runny nose. Such symptoms can be caused by upper respiratory infections, lower respiratory infections, dental infections, and other conditions that should be evaluated by a veterinarian. ^{[1]
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Research source} If your rabbit is sneezing, see a vet and then care for your pet accordingly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Visiting a Veterinarian

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Observe your rabbit. Before taking your rabbit to a veterinarian, try to assess for yourself why the rabbit may be sneezing. Monitoring symptoms can help you better aid the vet in determining what's wrong.
- Your rabbit could have an upper respiratory infection, which may manifest with runny nose, runny eyes, and sneezing. It could also be a lower respiratory infection, which would include symptoms like loud breathing. Rabbits with lower respiratory infections may also that stick their noses up when breathing.
- Foreign object such as a hair or a bit of food trapped in a nasal passage. In this case, there would be few symptoms beyond sneezing.
- A dental problem, such as an infection that has spread to the nose, can cause sneezing. This would cause other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, and is most likely in older rabbits. ^{[2]
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- Again, a veterinarian should make a formal assessment, but you can come prepared with your opinion and information regarding symptoms to help.
Not all vets will see rabbits. Those who say they will may not always have enough background with rabbits to correctly evaluate your pet. Ask rabbit owners for vet referrals and search online for rabbit-savvy vets in your area. Always read reviews before making an appointment.

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Take the rabbit to the vet in a carrier or a well-ventilated box, and provide water in the pet carrier for your rabbit in case they need to drink. Many carriers now come with food and water dishes built in. Your pet's safety is the main thing when choosing a carrier, so find the right one for your needs before bringing your sick rabbit to the vet. Choose from crates, slings, and more. You can talk to a pet store owner or ask the vet over the phone what kind of carrier you should purchase if you don't already have one.
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Allow the veterinarian to assess the problem. The vet may have to do different tests, along with a physical exam, to determine the cause of the problem. Your appointment length will depend on what tests the vet feels the need to conduct.
- Some vets ask that you bring in a stool sample for testing. This sample should be less than 24 hours old.
- Your vet may want to do a blood tests, where blood will be drawn from your rabbit. They might also take a sample of any nasal discharge on which to run tests. These tests will help determine what kind of antibiotic will be best to help your rabbit fight the infection, if applicable.
- Be sure to tell the vet everything about your rabbit's home, from what your rabbit eats to what kind of bedding he uses. It may be something as simple as a change in bedding that puts an end to the sneezing.

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Administering Medication

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1
Use antibiotics or other medicines as directed. If you are sent home with antibiotics to give your rabbit, use them as directed and do not skip any doses. You may even receive antibiotics before any test results are back as a precautionary measure.
- Skipping doses of antibiotics or finishing antibiotics too early can help create resistant strains of bacteria. This can make it harder to find an antibiotic that will work the next time your rabbit has an infection. Always give the full course, even after symptoms have gone away, making sure to give the correct amount at the correct time.
- Some antibiotics may make your rabbit's digestive system slow down. Any changes in appetite or elimination habits need to be reported to your vet to make sure it's a temporary reaction to the medication and not a sign of a more serious problem.
- If your rabbit does not eat or eliminate in a 10 – 12 period, contact your vet immediately. This can be a sign of a potentially fatal medical emergency.
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Prepare an area to administer medication. Your rabbit may not be easy to dose with the prescribed medication. Rabbits may dislike the taste or be distrustful of the substance. For this reason, you need to prepare a calm area ahead of time where you can medicate your rabbit.
- Choose a flat surface, such as the floor or a table or countertop. Pick a table that's fairly low to the ground in the event the rabbit jumps down.
- Have all supplies ready to go. Get out any syringes, pills, or other supplies you might need. ^{[3]
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To prevent your rabbit from scratching or resisting, wrap it in an old towel. Cover your rabbit gently with a towel and tuck the towel snugly under its body on both sides to keep it from being able to move. Wrap your arm gently around the animal and use the other hand to administer the medication.
You will probably have to use a disposable syringe as most rabbit meds come in the form of a liquid. With the rabbit secured in the towel, place the tip of the syringe behind the front teeth, and slowly dispense the liquid.
As pills are shaped like rabbit pellets, many rabbits will eat them without hesitation. If this does not work, try crushing the pill up and mixing it with the rabbit's favorite foods. You can also try mixing with liquids, such as water or fruit juice, etc. ^{[4]
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Part 3

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Caring For Your Rabbit

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Spending more time with your rabbit helps you notice any changes in his behavior. It will also make your rabbit feel more secure knowing you are around. Try to spend time with the rabbit during free time and stay in the room when you can.
If your rabbit is still sneezing and has a runny nose, use a damp cotton pad to clean away any discharge. Rabbits can only breathe through their noses, so it's essential that you keep their nostrils clear and free of blockage.
In addition to simply spending quality time with your rabbit, monitor him in the weeks after your vet trip. Medications can cause side effects. For the most part, these should pass but you should keep an eye on things like lethargy. You should also make sure symptoms clear up after medication is administered. If they don't, you might need to make a second vet trip to see what's going on. ^{[5]
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Be sure to remove any feces from your rabbit's cage every day. The build up of bacteria can be detrimental to a rabbit's health. You can use a litter box much like you would for a cat as an area for the rabbit to defecate. In addition to removing feces, change out any bedding every couple of days, and every couple of weeks scrub the cage thoroughly with disinfectant spray. You should always take such precautions to protect your rabbit, but especially if your rabbit has been sick. ^{[6]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Why does my rabbit lick me so much?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The most likely reason is that the rabbit loves you! Bonded rabbits will mutually groom one another as a sign of affection. Some rabbits mimic this behavior by licking their owner. It might be nice to stroke the rabbit to return the favor.

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Question

My rabbit sneezes and has a snotty nose. Could this be due to dust in the hay, or does he have an infection?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Hay can be dusty, and it does indeed irritate the respiratory tract, causing sneezing. However, if the nasal discharge is snotty, then this is most likely to be an infection. Look for green hay that smells fresh and is dust-free. Dusty hay is often a sign of poor quality feed.

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Question

How do I care for a sick rabbit?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Keep the rabbit as warm and stress-free as possible. Make sure the hutch is somewhere warm, and provide plenty of bedding for the rabbit to snuggle down in. Provide a hutch or hide, since rabbits feel especially vulnerable when ill. Carefully monitor if the rabbit is eating regularly, and if not, contact your vet and syringe-feed a liquid diet suitable for rabbits, such as herbivore critical. The rabbit should be fed at least every four hours in order to stop the gut going into stasis. If the rabbit refuses food or stops passing pellets, then veterinary attention is critical.

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Tips

If your rabbit is kept outside, consider moving him into a very quiet room in the house while he is ill. This will keep him from spreading the infection to other rabbits and will make it easier for you to monitor his healing progress.

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If you use pine or cedar bedding, this may be a big reason for respiratory problems. These types of bedding are known to cause upper respiratory distress in rabbits and other small animals. Consider an alternative such as recycled bedding, aspen or laboratory grade bedding, or other safe bedding.

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Warnings

Rabbit respiratory problems will not go away on their own. Investigation into their cause is needed with the help of your vet.

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Be careful to tell your vet exactly what foods your rabbit has recently been given. Any kind of food or product could be the cause of the sneezing as well as respiratory complications.

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How to Care for a Sneezing Rabbit

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Visiting a Veterinarian

Administering Medication

Caring For Your Rabbit

Expert Q&A

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Warnings

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