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Why Do Rabbits Scratch? 6 Possible Reasons

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

young red rabbit scratching on a picturesque meadow

Scratching is a fairly normal behavior in rabbits, but rabbits can scratch for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’ll scratch to communicate something to you, or they might scratch because of an underlying health issue. It’s helpful to understand rabbit behavior and scratching so that you know how to respond and help your rabbit out if they’re in need. Here are some common reasons why rabbits will scratch themselves, you, or other objects.

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The 6 Reasons Rabbits Scratch

If you notice your rabbit is constantly scratching, one of the best things you can do is take your rabbit to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian can complete a physical exam and conduct some diagnostic tests to see if there are any health issues that are triggering your rabbits scratching.

1. Normal Itching

All of us have itches throughout the day that just need a simple scratching. Just because you see your rabbit scratching, it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. It’s helpful to observe your rabbit’s behavior so that you can easily tell when your rabbit is simply scratching a minor itch or if the scratching is becoming more frequent than normal.

Little white hare scratching his ear and sitting at wooden board
Image By: Wallenrock, Shutterstock

2. Dry Skin

There are several different reasons why a rabbit may develop dry skin. Oftentimes, the air is drier during winter months, which can affect your rabbit’s skin. Sometimes, diet and nutrition can affect your rabbit’s skin health and cause it to dry out. Rabbits are also self-cleaning, so they don’t really need baths. Using shampoo can end up drying out your rabbit’s skin and cause it to itch excessively.


3. Parasites

Sometimes, parasites might get to your rabbit’s skin and coat and wreak havoc. Common parasites that can use rabbits as hosts include fleas, ticks, and lice, especially if your rabbit is kept in an outdoor hutch.

In some cases, your rabbit may end up having Cheyletiella parasitovorax, which is a parasite that causes cheyletiellosis. This parasitic infection often causes a lot of itching and scratching along with excessive dandruff. This is why it’s often also referred to as “walking dandruff.”

cute little brown bunny scratching
Image Credit: Kizel Cotiw-an, Shutterstock

4. Negative Feelings

Rabbits that feel upset can express their feelings through scratching. A fearful rabbit can try to get out of the situation by digging, and they may try to scratch the ground in order to find a way to dig and hide. They’ll also scratch as a defensive action if they feel threatened or cornered. This act of aggression is also known as “boxing.”


5. Attention-Seeking

If you’ve developed a bond with your rabbit and your rabbit acknowledges you as their caretaker, they may be comfortable with lightly scratching you if they want your attention. Some rabbits enjoy playing with people, so when they’re bored, they may scratch at them to engage them in a play session.

adorable brown bunny with white stripes sitting on walkway near a wooden fence scratching its face with its foot
Image Credit: Stone Monkeyswk, Shutterstock

6. Allergies

Some rabbits can develop allergies, which can lead to inflamed and itchy skin. They can be allergic to a wide variety of things. Things like dust, strong fragrances or air fresheners, cigarette smoke, and fleas are all potential allergens for rabbits.

If you suspect that your rabbit is experiencing an allergic reaction, it may also have red eyes and clear discharge from their nose. Along with scratching, it’s common for rabbits also to rub their faces on the ground repeatedly.

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What to Do If Your Rabbit Scratches a Lot

Make sure to consult your veterinarian if you notice that your rabbit is scratching a lot more than usual. Itching can be extremely uncomfortable for your rabbit, and excessive scratching can lead to further complications like skin lesions and wounds.

After your veterinarian diagnoses the issue, you’ll be able to get concrete steps through a treatment plan developed by your veterinary team. Make sure to follow through on the treatment plan to the very end to ensure that your rabbit finds alleviation from the itching and that the issue is completely cured.

If you have multiple rabbits, make sure to quarantine the rabbit that’s itching excessively. This will prevent any potential parasites or contagious conditions from spreading to the rest of your rabbits. It’s also helpful to clean out and completely sterilize your rabbit’s hutch and anything that they usually touch in the home. Thoroughly cleaning out your rabbit’s items can kill germs and viruses and prevent the spread of some diseases.

black rabbit scratching itself on grass
Image By: Hellebo Photography, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Rabbits will scratch for a variety of reasons, and scratching can be both a form of communication and a sign of an underlying health issue. Because there are so many causes for scratching, the quickest way to find out why your rabbit is scratching and how to help them out is to visit your veterinarian. Being mindful of your rabbit’s behavior can help you determine if they’re acting out of character and indicating that something is wrong. It’s a great way to provide any necessary treatment for your rabbit as soon as possible and prevent health issues from getting worse.


Featured Image: Pavel105, Shutterstock

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