Common Health Issues in Rabbits

Most health problems in pet rabbits are directly related to inadequate husbandry and diet. Understanding what can go wrong — and recognizing the early signs — is the most important thing you can do for your rabbit's wellbeing.

Dental Problems

Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives — about 1-2mm per week. In the wild, the silica in grass and hay grinds teeth down naturally. In captivity, an improper diet is the most common cause of dental disease.

Rabbits have four upper incisors, two lower incisors, and cheek teeth (premolars and molars) that all grow continuously. When the diet lacks enough rough fiber, the cheek teeth don't wear properly, leading to spurs and points that cut the tongue and cheeks.

• Overgrown teeth — Can cut the tongue or cheek, making eating painful. In severe cases, the teeth curl and protrude from the mouth.
• Sharp points (spurs) — The most common dental problem. Sharp edges on the cheek teeth cause ulcers, making it agonizing to eat.
• Tooth root abscesses — Infections that form at the tooth root and can spread through the jawbone. These often require surgical intervention.
• Malocclusion — When teeth don't align properly. May be genetic or acquired. Rabbits with flat faces (like lops) are especially prone.

Signs of dental problems: Drooling (wet chin), favoring soft foods over hay, dropping food from the mouth, pawing at the mouth, weight loss, reluctance to be touched around the face, and hiding more than usual.

Prevention: Unlimited timothy hay (should make up 80% of the diet), limited pellets, and regular dental checkups with a rabbit-savvy vet. Any rabbit showing signs of dental problems needs a full oral examination under sedation.

Ear Infections & Mites

Ear problems are common, especially in breeds with lop ears, and can range from mild mites to serious inner ear infections.

• Ear mites (Psoroptes cuniculi) — The most common ear parasite in rabbits. Signs include crusty brown buildup inside the ear, head shaking, scratching, and tilting the head. Mites are treated with anti-parasitic medication prescribed by your vet.
• Ear infections — Can be bacterial or fungal. Signs include head tilt (often severe), discharge, odor, pain when the ear is touched, and loss of balance. Inner ear infections can spread to the brain and are always serious.
• Wax buildup — Some rabbits produce excess ear wax that can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Regular gentle cleaning (as recommended by your vet) can prevent this.

Head tilt can also be caused by E. cuniculi (see Parasites below) or by a stroke. A vet can determine the cause through examination and, if needed, imaging.

Snuffles (Upper Respiratory Infection)

Snuffles is not one specific disease — it's a term for respiratory symptoms caused by bacterial infections, usually Pasteurella multocida or Bordetella bronchiseptica. It is common in rabbits, especially in multi-rabbit households or poorly ventilated spaces.

• Sneezing (may be frequent and forceful)
• Runny nose — discharge may be clear, white, or yellow
• Watery or crusty eyes
• Snuffling or noisy breathing
• Lethargy and reduced appetite

Snuffles can progress to pneumonia if untreated. It is also contagious between rabbits. Mild cases may respond to antibiotics, but recurrence is common, especially if the underlying cause (stress, poor ventilation, dusty bedding) is not addressed.

Flystrike (Myiasis)

Flystrike is one of the most horrific and preventable conditions in rabbits. Flies (usually blowflies) lay eggs on dirty, damp fur — especially around the rear end, genitals, or any wound. Within hours, the eggs hatch into maggots that eat into living flesh.

Rabbits most at risk: obese rabbits who cannot clean themselves, elderly rabbits, rabbits with diarrhea or urinary problems, and any rabbit in a dirty environment during warm months.

• Prevention: Keep living areas clean and dry. Check your rabbit's rear end daily in summer. Groom long-haired breeds regularly. Weigh your rabbit weekly — sudden weight loss can indicate a problem.
• Signs: Unusual behavior (depressed, inactive), visible maggots or eggs (small white specks), foul smell, wet or soiled fur around the rear, skin irritation or wounds.
• Treatment: This is an extreme emergency. Remove all visible maggots, keep the rabbit warm, and get to a vet immediately. The vet will clean the wounds, prescribe antibiotics and pain relief, and monitor for shock and infection.

Eye Problems

Rabbit eyes are large and prominent, making them vulnerable to injury and infection.

• Runny eyes / weepy eye — Often caused by a blocked tear duct. Breed-specific in lop-eared rabbits. Can also indicate a dental problem (tooth roots press on the duct). Needs vet investigation.
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) — Redness, swelling, and discharge from one or both eyes. Can be caused by bacteria, foreign bodies, or secondary to respiratory infection. Treated with antibiotic eye drops.
• Corneal ulcers — Scratches or wounds on the surface of the eye. Signs include squinting, cloudiness, pawing at the eye. Requires immediate veterinary care — untreated ulcers can lead to blindness.
• Eye abscesses — A pocket of infection behind or within the eye. Often related to dental disease. Treatment may require surgery.

Parasites

• Fleas — Can cause intense itching, skin infections, and in young or weak rabbits, anemia. Treated with rabbit-safe flea products (never use dog or cat flea treatments). Also treat the environment.
• Fur mites (Cheyletiella) — Also called "walking dandruff" because the mites are visible as moving white specks on the fur. Causes itching, flaking, and hair loss. Treated with anti-parasitic medication. Highly contagious between rabbits.
• Ear mites — See Ear Infections section above.
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) — A microscopic parasite that attacks the kidneys and nervous system. Can cause head tilt, seizures, paralysis, and cataracts. Often latent — rabbits can carry it without symptoms until stressed. Diagnosed via blood test and treated with anti-parasitic medication. Humans and other animals can be infected (zoonotic) — practice good hygiene.

Uterine Cancer (Unspayed Females)

Up to 80% of unspayed female rabbits develop uterine cancer (adenocarcinoma) by age 5. It is aggressive and spreads quickly. The only reliable prevention is spaying.

Signs: Bloody discharge, increased aggression, nesting behavior, tumors detectable on ultrasound, weight loss in later stages.

Spaying also prevents false pregnancies, territorial marking, and aggression related to hormonal cycles. Most vets recommend spaying female rabbits between 4-6 months of age.

When to See the Vet

Rabbits are masters at hiding illness. When you see clear signs, the condition is often advanced. Contact your vet for:

• Any sign of decreased appetite or refusing food for more than a few hours
• Changes in droppings — fewer, smaller, or misshapen pellets
• Changes in behavior — hiding more, less interactive, less active
• Discharge from eyes, nose, or ears
• Lumps or swelling anywhere on the body
• Limping or difficulty moving
• Wet chin, drooling, or pawing at the mouth
• Labored breathing or open-mouth breathing
• Head tilt or loss of balance