Updated: 19/02/26
Parasites are organisms that can live around, on or inside your rabbit, often to the detriment of their health.
If you’re worried about parasites and your rabbit, or are concerned that they have an existing health issue, please reach out to your local vet practice for further support.
Fleas
Fleas are small brown insects which feed on your rabbit’s blood by biting through the skin.
Fleas can be picked up from other animals (pets or wildlife), and will often jump between host animals.
Fleas can also spread diseases such as myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (life-threatening diseases in rabbits, which they can be vaccinated against).
Flies
Flies are responsible for flystrike (also called ‘myiasis’).
This life-threatening condition in rabbits is caused when blowflies lay their eggs on a rabbit’s fur.
The maggots that hatch eat away at the rabbit’s body, often causing severe damage unless caught early.
E.cuniculi (Encephalitozoon cuniculi)
E.cuniculi is a protozoan parasite that causes nervous system, urinary and eye disease in rabbits.
Some rabbits can carry it without ever becoming ill, while others will show varied symptoms including serious illness.
Symptoms are often triggered during times of other illness, pain or stress.
Mites
Mites are very tiny parasites that, like ticks, belong to the same family as spiders, however, they can often not be seen with the naked eye.
Diseases caused by mites can be quite common. They can cause both skin (Cheyletiella also called ‘walking dandruff’) and ear mite issues for rabbits.
Worms
Rabbits can sometimes get worms.
Other species such as dogs and cats can carry tapeworms, which can be transferred to rabbits, so it is advisable to regularly treat these pets for worms if they toilet on your rabbit’s grazing area.
Ticks
Ticks are small, grey-brown, eight-legged parasites which are a type of arachnid (distantly related to spiders).
Ticks attached to your rabbit’s skin and feed on their blood. They can vary in size from just visible with the naked eye up to about 1cm.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes and midges aren’t just a pain for us!
Like fleas, these insects can feed on our rabbit’s blood and can also spread myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (life-threatening diseases in rabbits, which they can be vaccinated against). If your rabbit is kept outdoors, avoid positioning their housing near any standing water, for example garden ponds, as this is where mosquitos and midges tend to congregate.
The use of insect screens can also help to protect your rabbit’s housing from mosquitos and midges.
Lice
Rabbits seldom suffer from lice infestations, and these parasites are only likely to cause problems if present in large numbers.
E.cuniculi (Encephalitozoon cuniculi)
E.cuniculi is a protozoan parasite that causes nervous system, urinary and eye disease in rabbits.
Some rabbits can carry it without ever becoming ill, while others will show varied symptoms including serious illness.
Symptoms are often triggered during times of other illness, pain or stress.
Some cat and dog parasite treatments and products can make rabbits seriously ill, so it is always better to be safe than sorry and use a reliable product recommended by your vet.
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite and spread through contaminated faeces. This disease causes watery diarrhoea, inappetence, dehydration, pale gums, a painful abdomen and can also cause blood or mucus in the faeces.
If you are concerned that your rabbit is showing any of these signs, contact your veterinary practice for support.
If you have any questions about any of these parasites or are concerned about your rabbit’s general health, then please reach out to your local veterinary practice for further support.
With many thanks to Deborah Stafford MA VetMB MRCVS GPCertExAP for contributing to this content.
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