I don’t think buns can catch COVID-19 from people, but it’s transmissible through touch so she can carry it on her fur, and make other people sick. Also I would wash my hands with soap before and after handling her, just in case. Some random sources say absolutely do not touch and cuddle them, but honestly I’ve had COVID and cuddled my buns and it was okay. Sending you love & healing vibes! ♡

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/can-rabbits-catch-coronavirus/

No no no. Your bunny isn’t gonna get covid from you! I’ve had covid once or twice and my buns didn’t get it. My dad has had it once too. When we’ve had covid we’ve been all over our buns, hugging and kissing them, and they’ve been totally fine, so please don’t worry.

Theoretically, rabbits can contract COVID-19; however, this is based on laboratory exposure which does not generalize well to typical day-to-day interactions one would have with their rabbits: https://rabbit.org/covid-19/ . Please take general precautions with your rabbits as you would with other people and report any concerning symptom developments seen in your rabbits to a rabbit-experienced veterinarian.

There have been no documented cases of COVID-19 infections in domestic rabbits (or cottontails). However, lab studies have shown that they can technically become infected with the virus. Keep in mind that this was in a lab where the rabbits were purposefully inoculated with the virus. None of the rabbits in the experiment actually exhibited symptoms or became ill though. They were all asymptomatic, but capable of shedding the virus.

@Wick&Fable and @LBJ10 – If none of the buns became sick or showed any symptoms even in those COVID-19 lab experiments, then why are we still recommended to wear masks around our bunnies and take precautions?! And if they can be infected with the virus, then why is it that they don’t become sick or show any symptoms? Sure, they can carry the virus on their fur, but that’s different. I’m sorry, I’m so confused right now.

Cinnamon Bun, immune systems are different species to species. Some viruses target some receptors in the human immune system, those receptors might not be susceptible in bunnies or other animals. However, if you modify a virus genetically and make it susceptible to the receptors of bunnies then definitely yes, they will be infected.

This Covid virus is a kind of RNA virus that genetically changes so many times so it’s unpredictable(very low chance at the moment) when it could infect other animals. If you research the other flu viruses, some flu virus came from birds and genetically modified by its own to infect human or other animals.

Sorry, this is a complex immunology or virology. I just shared my tiny knowledge. Hope it helps.

But yes, I would be cautious when I am infected with any virus and bacteria while dealing with fury friends. When I had my bun, everyday I came from hospital, I always washed my hand before I touched my bun(lol I m lil paranoid).

Maria is correct. Also you worry about certain animals being carriers. They do not become ill, but they provide a vessel for the virus where it can multiply and mutate, potentially becoming capable of spreading to other species of animals or humans.

But I really don’t think you have much to worry about. I don’t think your bunny is at high risk of becoming infected. If rabbits could get COVID from humans, I think we would have heard about it by now. You can certainly wash your hands to be on the safe side (this is a good practice anyway), but don’t worry too much.

Actually, I’m 99% certain mine caught covid from me due to his symptoms and behavior as well as my own symptoms (there’s a lot more background/story) and there are confirmed rabbit case(s) outside of labs.

That said, it is extremely rare.