Rabbit Snuffles: Can Rabbits Have Seasonal Allergies?

Being responsible pet owners, we often get worried about our pets’ health if we see something unusual. Any change in your rabbit’s behavior, like frequently touching its nose or face using its front paws, can be due to seasonal allergies or rabbit snuffles. 

Therefore, in this article, I am not only going to answer the question: can rabbits have seasonal allergies, but also what are rabbits’ snuffles are and what things you need to know to take precautions. 

If your rabbit is already suffering from snuffles, we will also discuss the treatment and medications available to learn how long it takes to treat snuffles. If you are unaware of the type of infection your rabbit has, then don’t be worried because we will also discuss the symptoms of snuffles and allergies later in this article. 

Let’s first look at the most common question owners ask when they see their rabbit sneezing a lot during seasonal changes. Can rabbits have seasonal allergies? 

Can Rabbits Have Seasonal Allergies

Yes, rabbits can have seasonal allergies just like humans. Seasonal allergy symptoms include sneezing and watery Eyes in rabbits. But it isn’t as severe or frequent as humans. During seasonal changes, few rabbit breeds experience allergies, but these are not usually harmful.

If your rabbit’s seasonal allergies seem to be persistent and don’t seem to be relieved within a week, you should reach out to your veterinarian. Additionally, rabbits can also have seasonal allergies in the winter when allergens are present around their surviving surroundings. 

Besides this, if your rabbit is allergic to fumes, smoke, or perfumes, it can cause allergies to your fluffy buddy. 

To keep your rabbit in top health during seasonal changes, you should do all the necessary things to eliminate the source to prevent seasonal allergies. Taking care of their diet, maintenance & cleaning is equally important. Therefore, You should always opt for the best rabbit hay for allergies. The most common kind of seasonal allergies in rabbits are termed rabbit snuffles. Let’s talk about rabbit snuffles.

What Are Rabbit Snuffles?

Rabbit Snuffles: Snuffles is a term used to describe the symptom of sneezing, runny nose, and running Eyes in the rabbit. Rabbit snuffles are generally caused due to chronic bacterial infection either in the nasal sinuses or the tear duct. The most common bacteria that cause snuffles in rabbits are Staphylococcus spp and Pasteurella spp. 

More than one bacteria cause this snuffle type of infection. Both bacteria mentioned above are the main culprit of snuffle symptoms in rabbits. According to Dr. Jill Heatley, sniffles in rabbits are a prevalent disease that appears to be expected because it is found in almost 10% of the rabbit population. 

According to VetMD, proper care and adequate treatment can quickly resolve snuffles and deliver a good prognosis in rabbits. However, snuffle symptoms are easily cured in the early stage. 

Few snuffle cases can be caused due to multiple bacteria, which can become a bone infection or a tooth problem in your bunny’s nose that can be life-threatening. It is not recommended to do home treatment for rabbits first if professional health is accessible nearby. Give medications prescribed by the veterinarian first for your rabbit’s well-being.

How Do I Know If My Rabbit Has Snuffles?

If your rabbit suffers from snuffles, it will have runny eyes with tear-stained fur on its cheeks. Discharge from its nose will also be expected in rabbits suffering from snuffles. When a rabbit develops a release from its nose, it tries to wipe it away using its front pause. 

Another sign of snuffles is spotting the dried discharge on your bunny’s front paws. Apart from this, if your rabbit is breathing heavily or struggling to breathe, it can be due to pneumonia caused by untreated progressive snuffles.  

Can Rabbit Snuffles Be Cured?

Yes, rabbit snuffles can be cured with proper medication and treatment recommended by your veterinarian. The veterinarian may advise you to change your pet’s diet to prevent further tooth problems. 

The treatment will continue for several months before the condition improves because it is a complex disease to cure in rabbits. It may go away if it is stuffy or has a runny nose. But, if it is proper rabbit snuffles. It can lead to inflammation of the sinuses, called sinusitis.

Will Rabbit Snuffles Go Away? 

It may go away on its own if it is a common cold. But rabbit snuffles need proper treatment and a quick change in your pet’s diet. Professional advice is necessary to improve snuffle conditions in rabbits. With appropriate treatment and precaution continued for several months, rabbit snuffles may get cured or disappear.

Can Rabbit Snuffles Go Away On Its Own?

No rabbit’s snuffles cannot go away on their own. Shockingly, it may get worse with time if left untreated. Therefore it is recommended to see a veterinarian’s advice and make essential changes. 

It would help if you never left it untreated, as your rabbit is likely to become more poorly affected, possibly leading them to death. If you notice symptoms of snuffles in rabbits, contact your vet for an emergency appointment. 

Note: The case may get more severe if your rabbit seems to be struggling to breathe or when breathing heavily. 

Can Rabbits Survive Snuffles?

If proper treatment and medication are given at an early stage of snuffle symptoms, the condition will improve, and the rabbit will survive. However, if the snuffle results in pneumonia, it would be fatal and require intensive treatment. As the snuffle progresses, the rabbit wipes away the discharge from its nose using its front paws.

How Do You Keep Rabbits From Snuffles?

The first thing you can do to keep your rabbit from snuffling is to make sure your rabbit’s living spaces are well ventilated. Make sure to clean their build-up of fumes from urine regularly. Apart from this, avoid using complex types of bedding like cedar shavings.



Besides these, there is a strong relationship between your bunny’s diet and dental disease. This is why it is essential to keep their teeth healthy by making the required changes in your pet’s diet. In the wild, rabbits often eat a high fiber diet which keeps their teeth worn down and prevents dental problems.



Make sure to constitute a significant portion of their diet with grass & hay. Only a tiny part of the healthy commercial rabbit food mix should cover their daily serving.

Can Snuffles Be Passed To Humans?

No. Snuffles cannot be passed to humans unless somebody has an immune system problem. People with an over-sensitive immune system may experience some allergies due to Pasteurella spp bacteria. However, snuffle is still a minimal risk to human health (with or without immune system problems). 

But, it doesn’t mean precaution is not mandatory. If you are allergic to rabbits or pets, consider looking at hypoallergenic rabbit breeds & Rabbit allergy symptoms. Here, you can learn If Rabbits Are Good For Allergy Sufferers?.

Can Rabbits Snuffles Be Passed To Dogs?

Yes, rabbit sniffers can be passed to dogs because snuffles are usually cost by more than one type of bacteria. If the dog and rabbit were in close contact, it is certainly possible because the Bordetella bacteria that rabbits carry tend to cause upper respiratory infection in dogs. 

Can Rabbits Snuffles Be Passed To Cats?

Yes, rabbit snuffles can also be passed to cats because one bacteria known as Pasteurella also affects other animals, including cats, dogs, and domestic livestock. Therefore, you should never keep a rabbit suffering from snuffles around other animals until it is treated or on an ongoing antibiotic treatment program.

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