Fleas are very small tinybugs that do lives in the fur of animals. They drink blood of these animals. When fleas bite it makes the animal feel itchy. The animal then bites itself because of the itch.
You may be wondering that can rabbits get the fleas. How do fleas look like on rabbits? Is there a way to get rid of fleas on rabbits?
Do not worry about scratching for now here is what you need to know about fleas, on rabbits and how to get rid of rabbit fleas.
What Are Fleas?
Rabbits can get fleas from animals. These fleas are bugs that live on your rabbit. If your rabbit goes outside or lives with dogs or cats that have fleas it can get fleas.Fleas come from animals that already have them or from places that have fleas.
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Your rabbit can get fleas no matter how old it is or if it is a boy or a girl.For example if your rabbit visits a house with a flea problem it can get fleas. Any rabbit can get fleas no matter how old it is or if it is a boy or a girl.
Fleas in Rabbits Signs & Symptoms
Some rabbits do not show any signs all while other rabbits can exhibit some or all of the following things that happen when they have fleas.
Biting their skin – If you see your rabbit is biting its skin or nibbling at its fur a lot or if your rabbit is itching then your rabbit might have fleas. You might also notice that you have raised bumps on your own skin especially if your rabbit lives inside your house with you.
Spotting live fleas –Fleas are really small. They can move very fast. If you part the fur, on your rabbits body and then stroke the fur backwards around the neck and spine of your rabbit you might be able to see one or two fleas.
Anaemia –If your rabbit has an infestation that has been going on for a while it can lose a lot of blood and become anaemic. Your rabbit will be weak. Have pale gums if it has anaemia.
Flea Dirt – You can see flea dirt on your rabbit’s skin it is a mix of flea poop and dried blood. This is easier to see than the eggs, which are white and really small. If you are not sure if it is flea dirt or dirt from the garden you can do a test. Run a paper towel over the area and if the dirt turns a reddish brown color then your rabbit probably has fleas.
Hair loss and scaly skin –You might see patches of scaly skin or hair loss which’s not a good sign, for your rabbits health.
Can Indoor Rabbits Get Fleas?
It is possible that your rabbit is at risk of getting fleas whether it lives outside or inside your home. Rabbits do not get fleas easily as cats and dogs but if there are fleas in your home your rabbit could still get them.
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If your rabbit lives inside your home it can get fleas at any time of the year because your home is warm all the time.
The best way to deal with flea problems is to stop them from happening in the place. Simply, if you find that your rabbit has fleas then you need to know about the treatment immediately by contacting your vet.
How Do You Get Rid of Fleas on a Rabbit?
Getting your rabbit free from fleas you need help from a vet for fleas’ treatment.
They will guide you on flea treatments, for rabbits. There are no flea medicines made for rabbits. So a vet must calculate the dose.
Using the product is very risky and can even kill your rabbit.
How To Treat Fleas in Rabbits Safely?
Rabbits and flea products do not always mix. Some flea products are made for dogs or cats. They can be very bad for rabbits. They can even be deadly. So when you are looking for something to help your rabbit you have to be careful. You cannot just pick anything from the store.
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The best way to get rid of rabbit fleas is to go to the vet. The vet will tell you what to do. The vet might be recommending somefollowing treatment:
Prescription flea treatments —These are medications that you place on the rabbit’s skin, like Revolution (selamectin) or Advantage (imidacloprid). You put these behind the rabbit’s neck. The vet has to tell you how to use them. Never use Frontline on your rabbit. It is not safe for rabbit fleas.
Environmental treatment — Fleas spend most of their lives 90%, off their host. This means you have to vacuum every day. You should also wash bedding in water. Additionally you might need to use a flea spray or powder that’s safe for rabbits, around the house to get rid of the infestation completely.
Flea combing —Using a flea comb to remove fleas manually works well with treatments. When you find fleas kill them away by putting them in a bowl of soapy water.
Whatever you do never give your rabbit a flea bath. As it is known that rabbits are very sensitive to stress wet baths can be really bad for them. They can get very sick. Even get too cold. Instead use methods to get rid of fleas. Ask a vet for advice, on what to do.
How to Prevent Your Rabbit from Getting Fleas?
As it is said that ‘prevention is better than the cure’youcan take simple steps to keep your rabbit safe from fleas.
Let your rabbit move indoors if possible.
You should also use flea treatment for all the other animals in your home like your cats and dogs.
Every year use a household spray that your vet recommends to keep your home safe, from fleas that other animals or people might bring in.
Leave your shoes outside or in a cupboard from the area of your rabbit. Keep them away, from your rabbit’s home.
When you get home back wash your hands. This is extra important if you have touched animals.
You can also try using earth in areas where your rabbit likes to go outside.
How To Get Rid of Fleas on Rabbits Naturally?
To get rid of fleas on rabbits naturally you should start by combing your rabbit with a fine flea comb. This will help remove fleas and eggs from your rabbit.You need to clean the living area well. Wash the bedding in water and vacuum the floor regularly.
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You can put a bit of food-grade diatomaceous earth on the carpets and, around the place where your rabbit lives to get rid of fleas in a safe way. Just be careful not to make a cloud of dust near your rabbits face. If you really need to you can use a spray that is made for little animals and that your vet says is okay.
Keep the placereally clean and dry where your rabbit lives. Do not use the stuff you use on dogs or cats to get rid of fleas because it can hurt your rabbit.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
End Notes
Especially rabbits can get fleas easily when they go outside. If you are keeping home tidy and clean then chances of fleas establishing an infestation. When you find any fleas, on your rabbit you should call your vet away.
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So, they can tell you what to do to help your rabbit and any other pets you have at home. Your vet will give you the medicine for your rabbit and your other pets.
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