Fleas are exceptionally unpleasant parasites for every animal dealing with them. But with rabbits, fleas cause some dangerous consequences when left untreated. This is why it is very important to know if your rabbit has fleas and how to get rid of fleas on rabbits securely and efficiently without harming the animals.
Rabbits get fleas because of many reasons. Some of them are
- When they spend a lot of time outdoors, mainly during springs
- Living in the house having cats and dogs
- Messy homes usually give fleas a nice place for breeding
Some of the signs that tell that your rabbit has fleas are
- Enhanced scratching using their hind feet
- Nibbling on their fur as well as skin
- Adult fleas are visible as dark spots in their fur
- Fleas eggs are visible as white specks that are close to the skin of the rabbit
If you have any doubts, then take your time to brush your rabbit hair slowly. Look very close to their skin, where the flea eggs or the dirt might have built up. This is so because fleas live very close to the rabbit’s skin, feeding on the blood to survive.
How to get rid of fleas on rabbits?
Before you start any treatment, it’s best to seek for recommendation from a veterinary doctor. If you are thinking about what to do with your rabbits when they are scratching consistently, here are a few considerations:
- Use flea and tick combs: This is one of the best inventions for removing fleas. They can easily pull off the flea from the pet and allow you to dispose of them. They are not very expensive, and they work nicely when your rabbit has less number of fleas. But these combs cannot comb if there is an infestation, although they can assist in putting a dent in it. You always add combing with another treatment method.
- Diatomaceous earth: It is one of the best products available on the market and works on all animals. It is available in two different varieties, but you have to make sure you get a food-grade product that is pure and safe for ingesting. These siliceous sedimentary rocks are grounded into a fine powder, which can be easily sprinkled on a rabbit pen. You can also put it on the fur of your rabbit. It works quickly by piercing through the outer skeleton of the fleas, making them difficult to breathe.
- Use apple cider vinegar: With so many products available in the market, it isn’t easy to find a product you can use on rabbits safely. But one natural solution is there, which works amazingly. Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits and is one of the best bug killers. You can grab a spray bottle and make a solution using half vinegar and half water. Spray this on rabbits’ fur and then rub it into their skin. Fleas can’t breathe properly with the smell of vinegar.
Conclusion
Keeping your home clean and tidy is one of the best steps to decrease the chance of rabbits getting fleas and also look for various Indoor rabbit cage setup ideas. But if they have been infested, you can try various methods to eliminate them. Follow the vet’s directions to assist your rabbit in recovering fast and easily.
