As summer approaches, the warmer weather brings an increased risk of flystrike in our pet rabbits, an awful and potentially fatal condition that can affect pet rabbits. Flystrike occurs when flies lay eggs on a rabbit, typically, around the rear end. These eggs then rapidly develop into maggots that burrow into the skin.
Any rabbit can be affected by flies, but certain rabbits, such as those with long coats, elderly rabbits, overweight animals that struggle to groom themselves, those with dental issues or females with large dewlaps are at a higher risk. Regular checks and taking the simple preventative measures below will ensure your rabbit stays safe from flies during the warm summer months.
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Tips For Summer Rabbit Care
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Ensure your rabbit’s diet is high in fibre and balanced to prevent digestive issues like diarrhoea, which can attract flies. While fresh greens are essential, overfeeding can lead to loose stools so be sure to monitor your rabbit's diet carefully.
- Keep Living Quarters Clean: Clean your rabbit’s hutch or living area daily to remove soiled bedding, which can attract flies. A clean environment is vital in preventing flystrike and other health issues.
- Disinfect Regularly: Thoroughly clean your rabbit's living quarters and equipment with a pet friendly disinfectant at least once a fortnight. This helps reduce the build-up of bacteria and flies that could pose a threat to your pet’s health.
- Regular Health Checks: Conduct thorough checks on your rabbit twice a day by lifting them up and looking at their underside and focusing on their rear end to ensure it is clean, dry, and free from any sign of maggots or fly eggs. Early detection is key to preventing flystrike from becoming severe. You'll also be able to spot any changes in behaviour too which could be a sign all is not well.
- Cooling Methods for Hot Weather: Ensure their run or hutch is out of direct sunlight to help them keep cool and place a few ceramic or slate tiles in their enclosure for them to lie on. A fan can be used to create a breeze in part of enclosure but avoid pointing the airflow directly at your pets. Never place wet towels directly on your rabbit to cool them down, as damp fur could increase the risk of flystrike. Instead, you can dampen their ears with cool water and place large bottles of frozen water in their living quarters. These bottles will help to lower the ambient temperature, keeping your rabbit comfortable and entertained as they may enjoy playing with them.
TOP TIP – Never place or submerge your rabbit in cold water. The shock to them can be deadly.
Grooming Tips For Rabbit Flystrike Prevention
- Grooming and Fur Maintenance: Rabbits shed their hair with the changing seasons, but this can take a while for them to complete. Regularly grooming your rabbit will deepen the bond between you and remove the loose, shedding hair reducing knots and matting. Pay extra attention when grooming around the back end to keep the fur short and clean from urine and droppings - essential in reducing the risk of flystrike.
- Trimming: Consider using a small, quiet cordless pet trimmer such as our Showmate II trimmer or our specialist Rabbit Grooming Kit to make grooming easier and keep your rabbit’s fur in the best condition. Carefully trimming the fur around the bottom of long-haired rabbits such as Angoras, Lionhead rabbits, Continental and Flemish Giants, the American Fuzzy lop and the Jersey Wooly will make it easier to spot for issues and avoid soiling of the fur.
Monitor Eyes and Mouth: Clean your rabbit’s eyes and mouth daily to prevent any build-up of discharge that could attract flies. Additionally, check for any skin infections or wounds that might develop, as these can also be targets for flies and is more easily picked up early during regular grooming sessions. Grass seeds that have a sharp outer husk can also be a problem for your rabbit. Although they enjoy nibbling on grass seeds, check your bunny’s mouth, nose ears and fur and remove any that are caught in their hair. A flea comb is a great inexpensive tool with very fine teeth that will pick up and remove grass seeds caught in the coat.
- Fly Protection: Protect your rabbit’s enclosure by using garden mesh to keep flies out. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of flystrike.
- Consider a Flystrike Prevention Product : Speak to your vet about applying a flystrike prevention product, such as a spot-on treatment. These products can provide additional protection, especially during peak fly season.
If you have any concerns about your rabbit's health, particularly during the warmer months, seek advice from your vet.
Early intervention and urgent veterinary care are critical when dealing with conditions like flystrike.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your rabbit stays safe, healthy and comfortable throughout the summer. Take a look at our rabbit grooming products on our website or for advice on the best grooming tools for your rabbit, contact us using the link below.
