Does your rabbit scratch you? You are well aware that it is not a pleasant experience. So, what to do when your rabbit scratches you?
By the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of dealing with this unwelcome rabbit behavior. You will see why your bunny might scratch even though rabbits are more docile than most other pets, and get answers to:
- What Does It Mean When a Rabbit Scratches You?
- Can You Get a Disease From Rabbit Scratch?
- Do You Need a Tetanus Shot After a Rabbit Scratch?
What Does It Mean When a Rabbit Scratches You?
Rabbits can scratch or bite if they feel threatened. Scratching is an activity that rabbits engage in when experiencing negative feelings. Here are the reasons a rabbit might scratch you:
1. Fear
Rabbits usually are quiet and easy to manage as pets, but they can be easily startled. Rabbits are fearful and more skittish than dogs or cats. It’s critical to keep in mind that rabbits are prey animals. Rabbits see attempts to trap or seize them as predatory behavior.
An uneasy animal that is unable to flee would most likely defend itself. For example, a rabbit’s only means of defense is to kick with its muscular legs and sharp claws.
However, just because your rabbit kicks when she is terrified does not mean she is hostile. It just implies you have a frightened rabbit. When you hold and lift bunnies, it is typical to wiggle and scratch.
If you notice that your rabbit seems scared when you pick them up, give them some space and time before attempting to hug or snuggle with them.
2. Hormones
Hormones wreak havoc on the bodies of rabbits as they mature sexually. As a result, male and female rabbits might become territorial and aggressive due to these hormones. Kicking, scratching, and sometimes biting are common manifestations of hormonal anger.
Unspayed rabbits may feel compelled to assert their authority. Rabbits regularly nip at things or other animals to get them out of the way, but biting to demonstrate dominance is also prevalent. Unfortunately, humans are not immune to this type of conduct.
3. How to stop a rabbit from scratching
Sure, prevention is preferable to cure, but rabbit behavior is something we can’t fully control. However, you can still lessen the danger of rabbit scratches by following the measures below.
- Spend time with your rabbit and bond with them to establish trust.
- If your rabbit is territorial, giving it control over its cage may help calm it down. For example, rather than removing the rabbit, consider opening the cage and letting the rabbit out on its own.
- Although you may want to hit your rabbit when it scratches you, doing so would reinforce the rabbit’s fear of you. As a result, it will act more aggressively in your company.
- After being fixed, rabbits become calmer and more docile, making them excellent companions with fewer behavioral issues. However, when rabbits reach the mating stage of their lives (about four months), they can become quite aggressive. Hormones can make a rabbit hostile if you don’t neuter it at this age.
4. Rabbits and young children
Under duress, a rabbit will bite or scratch. If a rabbit scrapes your child, they may develop an allergic reaction or illness. A scratch wound is the most prevalent rabbit-related health issue among children. The following safety precautions can protect children.
- Allowing young children to pick up the rabbit is not a good idea. Rabbits prefer to stay close to the ground and enjoy being groomed and handled. Hugs and cuddles, on the other hand, are not appealing to them
- Teach older kids how to hold a rabbit properly. They should use both hands and appropriately support the rear legs.
- Children should never pick up rabbits by the scruff of their necks or ears.
- Consult your veterinarian for advice on claw trimming.
Can You Get a Disease From Rabbit Scratch?
Through bites and scratches, rabbits can spread germs. In addition, rabbits can arbor bacteria on their skin, feet, and teeth. The bacteria can induce a secondary illness, even if the wounds rabbits inflict are usually tiny and rarely severe.
Even though catching a disease from a rabbit scratch is extremely unlikely, you should be aware of the risks. Therefore, you should keep an eye out and be prepared to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Suppose your rabbits regularly visit a veterinarian for general health checks, then it’s unlikely they have any of the health problems that affect humans. Here are such diseases:
1. Tularemia
Tularemia is an unusual but dangerous disease that affects wild rabbits in the United States and other parts of the world. Humans can contract it through animal bites, scratches, or simple contact with infected animals.
If your domestic rabbit comes into contact with wild animals, especially wild rabbits, it could contract Tularemia.
Tularemia is a contagious disease that can be fatal but treatable with antibiotics. You are more likely to contract Tularemia while working outside than scratched by your pet bunny. Moreso, there are so many ways to become infected. Within 3-5 days, signs of infection from an infected rabbit can appear.
The following are some of the symptoms:
- An ulcer beneath the skin at the injection spot.
- Inflamed Lymph Nodes
- Fevers
- Chills
- Headaches
- Fatigue.
2. Pasteurella
Pasteurella organisms, such as Pasteurella multocida, can enter the body through a break in the skin if you are bitten or scratched by an animal infected by the bacteria.
Pasteurella is a bacterial genus that includes several species, typically in rabbit’s upper respiratory flora. However, this bacteria does not only affect rabbits; it also affects dogs, cats, chickens, and domestic livestock.
Animal bites, scratches, and licks can spread the disease. However, animals do not have to be sick to pass the bacteria on to people; they can carry it without showing any symptoms.
Infected humans experience edema, cellulitis, and bloody discharge at the wound site within 24 hours of being scratched or bitten by an infected animal. In addition, the infection may spread to neighboring joints, causing swelling and arthritis.
In humans, pasteurellosis is a rare disease. Those with a compromised immune system, on the other hand, are more vulnerable.
Do You Need a Tetanus Shot After a Rabbit Scratch?
Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria found in dust, soil, dung, and saliva. When this bacteria enters open wounds, tetanus develops.
Scratches on rabbits are almost always shallow. They’re usually so superficial that they only leave a mark on the top layers of your skin. Still, they can occasionally break through and draw a little blood.
Even though rabbits are low-risk carriers of tetanus, they can carry the bacterial toxin. On the other hand, a rabbit scratch poses no greater risk of tetanus infection than any other scratch.
Currently, five tetanus vaccination injections can provide lifelong protection against tetanus from low-risk injuries such as cuts and scratches. Thus, when someone cuts themselves, very few people require a booster. Immunized children are also protected.
If you don’t know how many tetanus vaccines you’ve gotten in total, talk to your doctor about it. Then, if you get scratched by your rabbit, you’ll know whether you need to obtain a booster.
What Can I Put on a Rabbit Scratch?
While a rabbit’s scratch may appear to be a minor inconvenience, you should not overlook it. It’s possible that if you don’t treat it, you’ll have a more severe infection.
First and foremost, you must check if the scratch is deep or shallow. If you have a superficial scrape, these steps are vital:
1. Clean your hands
Make sure your hands are clean and free of germs before treating the wound. Bathe your hands for around 20 seconds with soap and warm water before rinsing with clean water.
2. Clean the wound thoroughly
Cleanse the scratch wound and the surrounding region with running water. For example, if the cut is on your upper arm, wash the entire limb, then rinse with clean water.
In addition, avoid using warm or hot water; it may worsen the bleeding. Also, scrubbing the wound will make it worse. Instead, wash the wound gently with a mild soap.
3. Apply an ointment to the scratched area
Use an antibiotic ointment or disinfectant gel to treat the scratch. Unless the scratches are infected, you may not need an oral antibiotic. Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the site, red streaks extending from the wound, pus leakage, and a high fever are signs of an infected injury.
4. Cover the abrasion
While a tiny scrape may not require any protection, a more extensive laceration must be covered with a dressing or bandage for up to 24 hours. Then, change the dressing frequently and expose it to fresh air as it heals.
Keep in mind that the precautions listed above are only applicable to mild injuries. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or go to a clinic right away.
- The scratch is on the face, hand, foot, or near a joint.
- Deep, significant, or serious wounds occur.
- Scratched wounds turn red, hot, swollen, or painful.
- You have a compromised immune system or a medical condition that could exacerbate a bacterial infection.
- You haven’t had your Tetanus vaccinations in a long time
Conclusions
Rabbits can only communicate with us by acting in specific ways. As a result, it’s a good idea to understand everything you can about your bunny’s behavior. That way, you will know what to do when your rabbit scratches you.
If your rabbit scratches, take precautions to avoid infection and teach your pet, not to scratch. The rabbit will eventually unlearn the behavior with your support, patience, and love.