Any animal that has fur may be susceptible to fleas and while many people might think that it is only cats and dogs that are affected; rabbits can be too. Having fleas is no fun for your pet and can cause severe irritation. What’s more, if these parasites infest your home, it won’t be long before you’re left itching and covered in bites. It’s important to prevent and treat fleas but can a rabbit wear a flea collar?
Rabbits cannot wear flea collars. These collars contain chemicals that will cause irritation and even burns to a rabbit’s sensitive skin. These chemicals also pose a risk if they are accidentally ingested during the rabbits grooming routine.
But this doesn’t mean that you cannot successfully treat your bunny for fleas, You simply have to go the right way about it.
Rabbits And Fleas
Rabbits are known for being timid, sensitive creatures and this sensitivity isn’t just part of their personality; they are physically sensitive too. Most notable, a rabbit’s skin is incredibly delicate and should always be treated with care. Flea collars may contain chemicals that could be harmful to your bunny’s skin and so should always be avoided.
Additionally, your rabbit will probably not take kindly to being adorned with a collar and will likely try to remove it. However, your pet may cause unintentional harm to itself when doing this.
Rabbits are not as prone to fleas as other animals like cats and dogs, but there is still a very real risk that your pet could be affected by these tiny creatures. Fleas are parasites which will attach to an animal and feed on its blood. These are tiny creatures that appear to be nothing more than black dots to the naked eye but while they may be minute, they can have a shocking effect.
If a rabbit catches fleas, it’s delicate skin is once again put at risk. This is because the fleas bite in order to get their fill of blood and this will cause irritation which is no fun for your bun. However, the good thing with rabbits is that, at times, they may be able to kill the fleas by grooming before the problem gets out of control.
That being said, if things do get worse, it can be tricky to spot because your bunny’s fur is typically a lot thicker than other animals who are afflicted by fleas. But that isn’t to say that you can’t pick up on other signs. Clues that your rabbit may have fleas are:
- Bald patches of fur
- Excessive licking, scratching or chewing
- Sores or red marks on the skin
- Flea droppings in the fur
What Flea Treatment Is Safe For Rabbits?
While a flea collar is never going to be a good solution for a rabbit, there are other ways that you can treat this condition. One of the first, and most crucial things you need to do when you suspect that your rabbit has fleas is to book an appointment with your vet. He or she will be able to confirm that fleas are indeed the problem and offer you some important advice. Furthermore, rabbits can often be affected by other parasites and your vet will be able to determine if this is the case.
Medication is typically the first port of call for treating rabbits with fleas. However, many of the flea treatment medications that are available may be far too strong for a rabbit and you should never use them without first consulting your vet.
In many cases, your vet will have a selection of medications that can be used for rabbits. Using the more readily available medications could result in causing more harm than good. A lot of these treatments are too strong and some contain ingredients such as permethrin and organophosphates which could easily kill a rabbit.
There are other things that should be avoided when trying to treat fleas in rabbits. Flea powders and dips should be avoided since these will also contain harmful chemicals that your rabbit may ingest as he cleans himself. Furthermore, while it can be tempting to bathe your bunny in an attempt to rid him of fleas, this is never a wise idea as it can cause your pet to go into shock.
How Do You Get Rid Of Fleas On A Rabbit Naturally?
Even if your vet suggests a particular type of rabbit-safe medication, you may not like the idea of using this. The good news is that there are other, more natural ways that you can treat fleas on rabbits.
Flea combs are widely available and can be used to effectively remove fleas and their larvae from your bunny. Although, it is important to point out that this method will typically be more time consuming. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that these combs could cause damage to your rabbits skin.
When you use the flea comb, it is vital to be gentle and take your time. However, if you can do this, this method is generally considered to be one of the most effective since the fine teeth will gather up and remove most, if not all of the fleas.
These flea combs do not cost a lot of money and those with longer teeth are typically better. Furthermore, you should make sure that the teeth do not have sharp ends. As you move the comb through the fur, try to hold it at the flattest angle possible and take extra care around the eyes and ears. However, these are the areas where a lot of the fleas will accumulate.
Can Rabbits Die From Fleas?
One of the major concerns for any pet owner is that fleas may cause their beloved bunny to die. The sad truth is that there is a chance of this happening if the infestation is not treated. However, most bunny parents are responsible enough to take action before it gets to this point.
The main issue with fleas is the transmission of diseases. Rabbits can be vaccinated against myxomatosis, depending on where you are in the world. However, if your pet has not received this vaccination and is bitten by a flea that carries the disease, there is a very real chance of it spreading.
Often, this condition doesn’t produce any symptoms until it is too late which could lead to a rapid demise.
Is It OK To Put A Collar On A Bunny Rabbit?
Rabbits, as we have learned, are delicate animals whose bodies cannot tolerate a lot of strain. Putting a collar on a rabbit, flea or otherwise, could put too much pressure on the neck. If you are concerned about your rabbit going missing and want to use a collar for identification purposes, it may be worth thinking about using a microchip instead. This is far less detrimental to the rabbit and serves the same purpose.
Furthermore, your bunny will likely not enjoy wearing a collar and this can cause stress. Stress in rabbits is never a good thing and could bring on a variety of other health complications and unwanted behaviors.
