Can We Catch Diseases from Pet Rabbits? Key Facts for 2025
Pet rabbits make charming companions and cherished family pets. But with any pet, a natural question arises: can we catch diseases from them? This guide offers a compassionate, fact-based look at the diseases that pet rabbits can carry and the actual risks for you and your family in 2025.
If you're considering pet rabbits or already have one, it’s vital to understand both responsible ownership and how to protect your health.
Are pet rabbits dangerous to humans?
Fortunately, according to the latest UK veterinary consensus in 2025 and trusted sources, the risk of catching diseases from pet rabbits remains very low. Rabbits themselves are vulnerable to some serious illnesses, but these rarely affect humans.
Two major viral diseases affecting rabbits — Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD) and myxomatosis — can be devastating to rabbits but do not infect people and pose no direct health threat to you or your children.
Rabbits are generally clean animals and safe around children, although like any animal, gentle supervision is important to avoid nips or bites.
Common Illnesses Transmissible from Rabbits to Humans
Allergic Reactions
Some people may experience allergic symptoms due to proteins found in rabbit saliva and dander (dead skin cells), even if they don't react to fur itself. This can lead to rhinitis, asthma-like symptoms, or irritated eyes and nose — similar to hay fever.
These allergies usually happen when sensitive individuals come in close contact with their rabbits, especially when cuddling or petting. Good ventilation and regular cleaning can help reduce allergen presence.
Salmonella
Salmonella can be passed from rabbits to humans, mainly through handling contaminated food, water, or bedding. The bacteria enter via infected rabbit faeces.
To stay safe, always wear gloves when cleaning cages or handling food bowls, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. If your rabbit shows signs of diarrhoea, seek veterinary advice promptly.
Pasteurella Infection
Pasteurella is a bacteria commonly carried harmlessly in rabbits’ mouths and noses. However, it can cause human infection if transmitted by a bite or scratch.
This is rare in pet rabbits compared to dogs or cats, which have different diets and oral bacteria. Any bite should be cleaned carefully, and tetanus vaccinations kept up to date for safety.
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that can be transferred from rabbits to people. It tends to affect those with broken or sweaty skin.
Look out for circular red, itchy rashes on your skin or hair loss and scaly patches in your rabbit. Veterinary treatment for your pet helps prevent spread to humans.
What About Other Diseases?
There are some notable diseases affecting rabbits that are important for the health of your pet but do not transfer to humans:
- RVHD and myxomatosis: Deadly viral illnesses in rabbits prevented through vaccination, harmless to humans.
- Toxoplasmosis: A protozoal infection primarily associated with cats, not transmitted by rabbits to humans.
- Coccidiosis: A protozoan affecting rabbits only, no human infection risk.
This means routine vaccination and veterinary care mainly protect your rabbit's health, while standard hygiene prevents human illness.
Who Should Be Extra Careful?
People with weakened immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy or living with conditions like HIV/AIDS—should be cautious with any pet contact.
For them, close supervision of hygiene practices and consulting a vet about their pet’s health is especially important. These individuals may benefit from tailored advice from healthcare professionals regarding pet ownership.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Rabbit
- Maintain new vaccination schedules: Ensure your rabbit receives vaccines against RVHD and myxomatosis regularly.
- Practice good hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after touching your rabbit, cleaning its bedding, or handling food.
- Use gloves: During cage cleaning or handling soiled materials, gloves offer protection from bacteria.
- Handle bites promptly: Clean any rabbit bites or scratches quickly with antiseptic and update tetanus vaccinations if needed.
- Keep your rabbit indoors or supervised: Reducing exposure to wild animals and infection risks benefits your pet and indirectly you.
- Educate children: Teach children proper handwashing and gentle handling. Do not allow rabbits to sleep in children’s beds to prevent hygiene issues.
Summary: Living Safely with Pet Rabbits
Pet rabbits are wonderful companions with many positive benefits and minimal risk of passing diseases to humans when cared for responsibly. While some infections like salmonella or ringworm can rarely spread, simple hygiene, vaccination, and supervision ensure both you and your bunny stay healthy and happy.
Responsible pet ownership means keeping your rabbit up to date on veterinary care and using tried and true hygiene practices. This way your pet rabbit can continue to be a safe, delightful addition to your family.
