Will the pollen bother my bunnies?

[Cocoa]

So my two bunnies live outside and there is a lot of pollen from the trees in our backyard. Will this bother the bunnies? I think it’s Cedar and oak. I can’t be outside for more than twenty minutes because of how bad my allergies are. Please no comments about them living outside

[Wick & Fable]

Hi hi Cocoa. I’m happy that you’re consulting the forums so often to get opinions about rabbit care! While the majority of us are rabbit owners and not necessarily vets, I think getting opinions is valuable.

For pollen allergies, I believe it’s dependent on the rabbit, similar to how some humans are more sensitive to some pollens than others. Wick is very sneezy with Kaytee brand hay, but not Oxbow hay. His vet believes this is because the environemental Kaytee grows their grass in carries pollen and dust that Wick is sensitive to, while Oxbow’s location is different and does not.

I’d observe and see how they’re doing. Look around the nose area for evidence of snot or runny nose, and go from there. For your own allergies, I recommend a face mask, wearing a layer you can take off when you get back inside, and not rubbing your face until you wash your hands after coming back inside.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Cocoa]

Okay thanks. I have noticed that under Lily’s nose looks a little wet sometimes. Do you think this is allergies? I was thinking about the face mask so I will definitely try it.

[Wick & Fable]

It could be allergies or just a natural reaction to stuff getting into her nose from being outside. If you find there’s a lot of wetness, in a way that’s impairing her, so her fur is getting crusty there, fur is falling out, or if you find it’s impairing her in some other way, like she’s sneezing a lot or showing signs of distress, then I would see a vet for either it being severe allergies (in which case moving her somewhere else is best) or an upper respiratory infection, which is the human equivalent of a “cold”, except in rabbits, they need to get medication for it or it will only get worse.

If you just observe a little bit a wetness here and there and nothing beyond that, it could just be minor allergies/irritation from pollen/dust entering the nose and is pretty safe.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Cocoa]

Okay it doesn’t seem so bother her and it’s only there sometimes. Thanks

[Bam]

They can have a little bit of moisture under their nose for natural reasons, because healthy rabbits only ever breathe through their noses. Snot (white or greenish for example) is the thing to look out for, and runny eyes.

If there’s lots of pollen it can get into the nose and cause sneezing even if the bunny isn’t allergic. It’s the particles that irritate the mucosa. My BF has that problem, no allergies but he sneezes from pollen (like ten times or more in a row!) when there’s lots of it. Again it’s important to check if there is thick snot. Hopefully the absolute worst of the pollen season will be over soon. I’m allergic like mad right now, so I know how not fun it is.

I so agree with Wick, we really are very happy that you come here and ask questions!

[Cocoa]

I haven’t noticed any sneezing and I try to keep their x pens away from the big tree with all the pollen. Sometimes I have to put them over there if there is no other shade in the yard. Thanks for the replies

[Author]

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