Rabbit Fleas: How to Treat Them

Fleas are not very common in rabbits, however it’s important to note they are still susceptible to them.

They will often come in contact with fleas from an infested dog or cat in the house or from other, outdoor wild rabbits. The pesky fleas will jump onto the rabbit, make a home in their fur and feed from them. Which at this point their symptoms will start to flare. It’s important to treat a rabbit flea infestation as soon as you notice it as fleas can be potentially harmful to rabbits.

It’s possible that rabbits can get fleas from hay, more so if the hay has been in contact with other animals. However, rabbits usually more prone to getting fleas from other animals, particularly from dogs and cats.

Fleas are small wingless insects that jump from place to place and are usually dark reddish brown in colour. There are over 2000 species of fleas, but rabbits will usually be affected by the cat flea. They seek out warm-blooded animals to feed on like cats, dogs, and pet rabbits.

Owners may notice live fleas crawling on their pet’s coat but unfortunately, that is only the beginning of the infestation. Flea eggs and immature larvae makeup over half of the flea population in your home and can often be found on bedding, carpets, and floors.

Your rabbit may have fleas and not display any symptoms at all. In some cases, rabbits may have visible flea dirt on their coat, this looks like small black/brown specks and is often mistaken for dirt. They may also develop itching and skin lesions (e.g., hair loss, scabbing).

In severe cases of flea infestation, they may develop anaemia as the fleas feed on their blood. Young, elderly, and unwell rabbits will be particularly at risk of anaemia.

Along with these symptoms, rabbit fleas can also pose a real danger to rabbits. Fleas can spread the deadly virus Myxomatosis, which is nearly always fatal. Luckily, rabbits can be vaccinated to protect against this virus.

Rabbits don’t normally need regular flea treatment like cats and dogs do, as flea infestations aren’t that common in rabbits. However, when they do have evidence of fleas, they need a spot-on treatment. This is a rabbit-specific treatment that can be bought from your veterinary clinic. Your vet may want to see your rabbit before dispensing this treatment if they haven’t seen or weighed your rabbit in a while.

Any in-contact animals should also be treated for fleas including cats and dogs. It’s important to NEVER use flea treatment that is intended for dogs and cats on your rabbit. Many of these products can be toxic if used on rabbits.

Regular hoovering is needed to remove eggs and larvae from the environment, along with a hot wash (60 degrees) of any bedding. Household flea sprays may also be used but be sure to read the safety instructions on the back to make sure that it’s safe to use with rabbits.

You can use a flea comb to brush your rabbit, this will be useful in removing dead fleas and flea dirt once you’ve applied a rabbit flea treatment.

Most cases of rabbit flea infestation can be treated at home, but some cases are more complicated and need veterinary attention. If your rabbit looks like they have a skin infection, irritation, or hair loss they should be checked by your vet. This is also the case for any rabbit that goes off their food, is lethargic or generally unwell.

Flea infestations can be prevented by ensuring that your other pets (dogs, cats) are kept up to date with their flea prevention treatment.

Ensure that your bunny’s enclosure is cleaned regularly and that the bedding is of good quality and changed often.

Rabbit fleas are thankfully a rare occurrence, but it is possible for rabbits to get infested. Fleas can cause irritation and even spread harmful viruses, so quick treatment is necessary. Only use flea products intended for rabbits and make sure to change their bedding regularly!

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