ALLERGIES AND RABBITS

There may be relief in sight!

If you think you might be allergic to your rabbit, please read this. It may help you. One of our volunteers was suffering from allergies with her 2 rabbits and has found ways to minimize the problem:

“Here are some of the suggestions that I followed and still follow. I searched for more things on the internet and added them to the list. It took me about 2 months to get over the allergies”.

(PLEASE NOTE: Never bathe a rabbit. It can cause some rabbits to go into shock and die.)

  • run a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom
  • use a high efficiency furnace filter, like 3M's Ultra Allergen (you should leave your furnace fan running by setting the fan to "on" rather than "auto")
  • use a HEPA vacuum cleaner and vacuum often
  • Use Allerpet* or Quick Bath Pet Wipes(anti-allergy products) on bunnies once a week. (After application, blot the fur dry with a towel, then keep your rabbit in a warm, draft-free area until completely dry.)
  • limit your exposure to other allergens such as dust, fragranced detergents, perfume, air fresheners in the house
  • keep bunnies out of bedroom and keep door closed
  • also have an area in the house that the bunny does not go into like the living room or basement to provide yourself some relief
  • avoid putting your face in your bunny’s fur
  • get rid of cedar or pine shavings(if they are being used), use a litterbox and “Yesterday’s News” litter instead
  • antihistamines as a last resort

NOTE: Your allergy might be due to hay NOT bunnies. Try the following:

  • keep hay in a container with lid
  • if need be, wear a mask when feeding hay to bunnies
  • have someone else change the litterbox for you and change it often
  • Try different brands of hay
  • Oxbow** brand is a higher quality hay, usually with less dust
  • Oxbow** also offers many types of hay - like Timothy Hay, Botanical Hay, Oat hay, etc. Perhaps some types might cause fewer problems.

*Allerpet wipes sold at Nature Pet Centre

*Online Canadian source for Allerpet

*Online source for Quick Bath Pet wipes (CanadaUS)

**Oxbow brand hay available at ExoticAnimalHospital in NDG 514-486-5258.

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