Why Is My Rabbit Sneezing? UK Owner’s Urgent Guide From 35 Years

A woman came into the shop on a Wednesday morning with a video on her phone. Her rabbit — a two-year-old mini lop called Biscuit — had been sneezing repeatedly for three days. She had filmed it the previous evening. She held the phone up and played me about thirty seconds of footage.

In that thirty seconds, Biscuit sneezed four times. After the second sneeze, I could see a small amount of white discharge around her nostril. After the fourth, Biscuit wiped her nose with her front paw.

I told the woman to get to a vet that afternoon.

“Is it serious?” she asked.

I said — it might not be. Or it might be snuffles, which is a bacterial respiratory infection in rabbits that can become chronic and very difficult to manage if it is not caught and treated early. I did not want to frighten her unnecessarily. But I also was not going to tell her to wait and see, because waiting and seeing with respiratory symptoms in a rabbit is how a treatable condition becomes a lifelong problem.

Biscuit had Pasteurella — the most common bacterial cause of snuffles in rabbits. She was treated with antibiotics. She recovered well. And her owner now knows exactly what to watch for if it comes back.

That is the conversation this article is about.

First — Is Occasional Sneezing Normal in Rabbits?

Yes — and I want to say this clearly before anything else, because I do not want owners panicking every time their rabbit sneezes once.

Rabbits sneeze occasionally for exactly the same reasons people do. A bit of dust in the air. A piece of hay that went up the nose. A strong smell. A dry environment. An occasional sneeze — one or two in an hour, without any other signs, in a rabbit that is otherwise completely well — is not a cause for concern.

What I am describing in this article is something different — repeated sneezing, sneezing that comes in bouts, sneezing that is accompanied by discharge, or sneezing that is happening in a rabbit that also seems quiet, less interested in food, or generally not quite right.

That is when you act.

Cause 1: Snuffles — The Most Important Cause to Know About

Snuffles is the common name for a bacterial upper respiratory infection in rabbits — most often caused by Pasteurella multocida, though other bacteria can be involved. It is the cause I think about first when a rabbit is sneezing repeatedly, and the one that has the most significant implications if it is not caught early.

Pasteurella is extremely common in rabbit populations. Many rabbits carry it without showing symptoms — it lives in the nasal passages and only becomes an active problem when the rabbit’s immune system is compromised by stress, a change in environment, poor diet, or another illness. Once it becomes active, it causes the classic signs of snuffles.

The reason I always say act the same day with suspected snuffles is this — Pasteurella infections in rabbits can become chronic. Once the bacteria establishes itself deeply in the nasal passages, sinuses, or middle ear, it can be very difficult to eliminate completely. Chronic snuffles is a manageable but lifelong condition. An early infection caught quickly and treated with the right antibiotic is a very different situation — often resolving fully and not recurring.

The earlier you act, the better the outcome. This is one of the cases where a day or two genuinely matters.

Cause 2: Dental Problems — The Cause Most Owners Never Suspect

This is the one that surprises owners the most when I mention it at the counter — because the connection between teeth and sneezing is not obvious. But it is one of the most common causes of chronic nasal discharge and sneezing in rabbits, and missing it means treating the wrong problem.

A rabbit’s upper teeth roots sit very close to the nasal passages. When those teeth develop problems — overgrowth, spurs, root abscesses, or elongation — the roots can press on or become involved with the nasal passages, causing persistent discharge and sneezing that looks exactly like an infection.

Dental problems in rabbits can only be properly assessed under sedation — the back teeth in particular cannot be examined in a conscious rabbit. If sneezing is persistent and not responding to treatment, ask your vet specifically about a dental assessment.

Cause 3: Environmental Irritants

This is the cause that is most often responsible for occasional, mild sneezing in an otherwise well rabbit — and it is the easiest to fix once you identify it.

Rabbits have sensitive noses. Certain bedding materials, dust from hay, cleaning products, strong-smelling sprays, and even scented products used near the hutch can irritate the nasal passages and trigger sneezing without any underlying infection being present.

If your rabbit’s sneezing started after a change in bedding, a cleaning session, or the introduction of a new product into the environment — environmental irritation is the first thing to check. Remove the potential irritant, improve ventilation, and monitor. If the sneezing resolves within a day or two, you have your answer. If it continues, get to a vet.

Cause 4: Allergies

True allergies are less common in rabbits than environmental irritation, but they do occur — and they are worth knowing about because they can look very similar to a mild infection.

A rabbit with an allergy will typically show sneezing and mild discharge that comes and goes rather than progressing consistently. It may be triggered by specific things — a type of hay, pollen from outdoor plants if the hutch is outside, a specific cleaning product. The rabbit will otherwise seem well — eating, moving, and behaving normally.

If you suspect an allergy, a vet visit is still worthwhile — partly to rule out infection, and partly because an allergic rabbit that is repeatedly exposed to its trigger can develop secondary infections over time.

Cause 5: Foreign Body in the Nose

This one is less common but worth including because it can look very much like a sudden onset of snuffles and can be missed if it is not considered.

A piece of hay, a strand of bedding material, or another small object lodged in the nasal passage will cause persistent, localised irritation — repeated sneezing, often one-sided discharge, and obvious discomfort. The rabbit may paw at its face repeatedly or rub its nose on the ground.

A foreign body in the nose is a vet visit — do not attempt to remove anything from a rabbit’s nasal passage at home. A vet can examine the passage properly and, if a foreign body is present, remove it safely.

The pointer toward a foreign body rather than an infection is the sudden onset — the rabbit was fine and then suddenly started sneezing persistently, without the gradual build-up that typically accompanies a developing infection.

What I Check When a Rabbit Owner Comes Into the Shop

When someone brings a sneezing rabbit in, here is the assessment I run through — quickly, because the difference between a minor irritation and snuffles needs to be established fast.

What To Do Right Now — Step By Step

Here is the practical summary — exactly what I would tell you if you were standing at my counter today.

How To Reduce the Risk of Snuffles in Your Rabbit

For owners reading this whose rabbit is currently well — here is what I recommend to reduce the risk of snuffles and respiratory problems developing.

• Unlimited high-quality, low-dust hay — the foundation of a rabbit’s diet and the single most important factor in dental health, which directly affects respiratory health
• Paper-based bedding — not cedar or pine shavings, which release respiratory irritants
• Good ventilation without draughts — a hutch that is damp, poorly ventilated, or exposed to cold draughts is a hutch that predisposes to respiratory infection
• No aerosol sprays near the hutch — ever
• Stress reduction — stress is one of the main triggers that activates Pasteurella in carriers. A rabbit with a companion, adequate space, and a consistent routine is less likely to develop active snuffles
• Regular observation — check the nose, the front paws, and the breathing sound every day as part of your normal routine. Catching discharge early is what makes the difference between a treatable infection and a chronic one

Related Reading

Our guide on why rabbits stop eating covers the broader picture of rabbit health emergencies — reduced appetite often accompanies snuffles and is always worth taking seriously in a rabbit.

Our article on why rabbits are not low-maintenance pets covers the full picture of rabbit care — including the veterinary attention that rabbits regularly need and that many owners underestimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for rabbits to sneeze?

Occasional sneezing — one or two sneezes without discharge, in an otherwise well rabbit — is normal. Rabbits sneeze to clear dust, hay particles, or other minor irritants from their nostrils. What is not normal is repeated sneezing, sneezing in bouts throughout the day, or sneezing accompanied by any discharge from the nose. If you are seeing those signs, get to a vet.

What does rabbit snuffles look like?

The classic signs of snuffles are repeated sneezing, white or yellowish discharge from one or both nostrils, and wet or matted fur on the inside of the front paws where the rabbit has been wiping its nose. The rabbit may also seem quieter than usual and less interested in food. If you are seeing white or coloured discharge — even a small amount — this is a same-day vet visit.

Can rabbit snuffles go away on its own?

In my experience, no — not reliably, and not without risk. Snuffles caused by Pasteurella or other bacteria requires antibiotic treatment. An untreated infection can become chronic, spreading to the sinuses, middle ear, and lower respiratory tract, making it progressively harder to manage. Early treatment gives the best outcome. Waiting to see if it resolves on its own risks turning a treatable acute infection into a chronic lifelong condition.

Can I catch snuffles from my rabbit?

Pasteurella multocida — the most common cause of rabbit snuffles — is not generally considered a significant health risk to healthy humans. People with compromised immune systems should take sensible precautions — wash hands after handling a sneezing rabbit, avoid contact with discharge. But for healthy adults and children, the risk of transmission is very low. Your vet can advise specifically if you have concerns.

My rabbit sneezes every morning — what does this mean?

Morning sneezing that occurs consistently when the rabbit first becomes active is often environmental — dust settling overnight in the bedding or hay, or the rabbit disturbing its bedding as it wakes. Check the quality of the hay — switch to a dust-extracted variety and see whether the morning sneezing reduces. If it continues, or if there is any discharge, get a vet check. Morning-specific sneezing that resolves through the day and has no discharge is less concerning than sneezing that continues throughout the day.

Where can I get honest rabbit advice in Swindon?

Come and see us at Paradise Pets, Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor, Swindon SN2 2QJ. Or give us a ring on 01793 512400. The advice is free and I have been doing this for over 35 years.

Written by Neil — Neil has owned and run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988. He has kept, bred, and sold rabbits and other small animals for over 35 years. For advice on any pet, visit us at Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor, Swindon — or call 01793 512400.