My rabbit grooms himself constantly. Is this normal without fleas?

If his coat is as healthy as it appears in the photo you provided, I would not worry about this behavior at all. Rabbits can get a variety of skin diseases so be on the loom out for any redness, hair loss or flaking of the skin. If you notice any of these issues then there may be something to be concerned about. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Thumper and including a photo. Rabbits are meticulous groomers but mites are often microscopic. If scabs are observed, a veterinary visit is recommended for diagnostics. Good luck.

Hello, thank you for using Pet Coach. If she has no spots of hair loss/baldness and the skin looks normal then this may be normal behavior for her. That being said, she could have a skin parasite or allergies too. It is impossible for me to diagnose her over the internet. I suggest you get Cookie to a vet for an exam if this behavior persists or you start noticing bald spots or skin issues. Best wishes.

This could be caused by intense itch. In these cases allergies, mites infestation, or other skin parasites and bacterial dermatitis could be suspected. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately.

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for your question about Poe, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. This photo looks like an appropriate amount of hair for a rabbit to shed, but most people don’t see it because rabbits are so good at grooming. Usually when it is seen, it indicates that the rabbit isn’t grooming appropriately, which may be the case for Poe too. I would recommend a veterinary visit for Poe, and would recommend considering radiographs (x-rays) and blood work. At his age he may have the start of arthritis or another disease that may affect his mobility or the way he feels. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello Ann. Thank you for using Pet Coach. So sorry that Charlie is having this issue. I suggest that you shave the matted areas. Wet the hair first (you can even use a bit of soap) as it will be easier to shave (use an electric clipper). Rabbit is skin is VERY fragile and thin so be gentle or you may cut him. Honestly, it is best to get him to a vet for an exam. He may be licking that area if there is an underlying problem. He may some sort of wound or lesion underlying. Licking of the furniture and other objects can be normal. Sometimes it is just an obsessive disorder. I cannot comment on if he is lacking something as I don't know what diet you are feeding. Just be sure he is on a balanced diet appropriate for adult rabbits - don't forget that hay (timothy is best) should be the main component of his diet. Hope this helps. If you have any further questions feel free to post again. Best wishes.