Below we explain why rabbits grunt and sneeze and when you need to worry about your rodent’s health.
Key facts at a glance
- When a rabbit grunts, it means they want to be left alone and not to be hassled.
- Foreign objects in the nose and dry air in the home can trigger sneezing in rabbits.
- Sneezing and grunting or rattling breathing noises can indicate colds and respiratory diseases such as rabbit cold.
- If there is a suspicion of illness, the rabbit should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
What does grunting mean in rabbits?
Although rabbits cannot talk, they communicate using a variety of sounds. This includes, among other things, grunting, which they use to communicate with both humans and conspecifics. As a rule, the four-legged friend wants to signal that he wants to be left alone. As the owner, you should of course leave the animal alone in this case. However, the grunt alone is not a cause for concern.
Sneezing in Rabbits
Just like humans, rabbits also have a sneeze reflex. For example, if they got a foreign object or some dust in their nose while eating hay, they sneeze to clear their nose.
This can lead to sneezing attacks, during which the rabbit shakes its head violently. In addition, some four-legged friends are quite sensitive to dry air, which can be a problem especially when kept indoors in winter and can be noticed by increased sneezing.
Sneezing and wheezing due to health problems
Unfortunately, grunts and sneezes in rabbits are not always harmless. Because it is quite possible that frequent sneezing and unusual breathing noises are triggered by a health problem.
For example, the rodent may have caught a cold. In this case, in addition to sneezing, there is usually a discharge from the nose. In addition, grunting and rattling noises when breathing can indicate a respiratory disease.
For example, the so-called rabbit cold, which is caused by various bacteria, is particularly widespread. Rabbit sniffles are initially noticeable through watery to purulent nasal discharge and sneezing. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath and the noise associated with it increase.
If you suspect that your rabbit is grunting and sneezing because of an illness, you should always consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. He can examine the little four-legged friend and, if necessary, prescribe suitable medication for treatment.
allergies in rabbits
In rare cases it can also happen that your rabbit suffers from an allergy and therefore has to sneeze frequently and possibly develop breathing problems. Among other things, hay and straw as well as bedding or dust can be responsible for the rabbit’s allergy. Feeding them fresh grass and avoiding dust in your four-legged friend’s room can help to counteract the symptoms of the allergy.