Having worked with small pets for a number of years now, one of the most common questions I get asked by worried owners is why is my small pet sneezing? Well firstly, before you start panicking and thinking the worst, sneezing a few times a day is actually pretty common and also often totally normal for a lot of small pets- it’s no surprise really when pets like guinea pigs and rabbits spend a lot of their time with their face buried in hay and grass as they forage and eat. However for some pet types, sneezing can be more of a concern then others so it’s important to speak to your vet if ever in doubt. And regardless of what type of species they are, an increase in sneezing should always be investigated in case its being triggered by something more sinister.
Let’s take rats for example- rats have extremely sensitive noses and an extraordinary sense of smell. All those sensor receptors in their nose though mean that a lot of things can irritate those gorgeous little noses. There are so many sources that can cause them to sneeze from anything from their owners perfume to a scented cleaning spray or even a different brand of food. It’s important to get to know your little VIP and if you introduce something new to their area and notice an increase in sneezing then maybe try removing it again to see if it stops. It’s really a game of trial and error but there are steps you can take to reduce sneezing. A word of warning though when it comes to rats- rats are notorious for easily being able to develop respiratory and sinus infections so if a few sneezes becomes many sneezes, coughing and a change in the sound of their cough or sneeze then it’s worth booking a slot with their exotic vet.
Rabbits are also big sneezers and suffer with the same sorts of issues as many other small pet like rats and guinea pigs. Reasons they sneeze can be everything and anything from: clearing their nasal passages of irritants like dust, pollen, hay particles, or other airborne debris; this can be caused by environmental factors like allergies to cleaning products, perfumes, smoke, or even their own bedding material. Rabbits have been known to even be allergic to some types of hay so it’s vital you monitor and work out what works best for your buns and their sensitive noses. And again as with rats, if it gets worse then it could be a sign of a developing respiratory infection, making it important to monitor for other symptoms like nasal discharge and lethargy. Always consult your exotic vet when your instinct says something isn’t right or symptoms are prolonged or worsening.
Guinea pigs are also prolific sneezers but remember that a few sneezes a day is usually just them clearing hay dust and other particles that they easily inhale when eating, grooming and playing, out of their sinus and airways. So let’s get to the really important nitty gritty you need to know: what are the main causes of the sneezing and what can you do about it? There are too many potential causes to cover so I’m going to stick to the main big contributors that make up the biggest proportion of causes of sneezing (focusing mainly on guinea pigs and rabbits now, however these apply to most small pet species).
So first off- Illness: if your small pet is showing any of these symptoms then it’s possible that the cause of their sneezing is illness or a start of a health problem and therefore needs to be checked by your vet. Coughing, wheezing, heavy breathing, struggling to breathe, runny nose or eyes, half closed eyes or lethargy all need to be investigated. So what if your pig or bun isn’t showing any of those signs except for the odd sneeze? Well if illness is ruled out as a cause then you might want to start looking at some of the other possible causes.
What about you’re pet being low in Vitamin C? Rabbits don't usually need extra vitamin C in their diet because they can produce their own from glucose. However, there are some situations where vitamin C supplements might be beneficial, such as during stressful periods, illness or as supplements for age or ongoing health issues. However guinea pigs do need plenty of sources of vitamin C because, like humans, they cannot produce their own vitamin C and must get it from their food to stay healthy; a lack of vitamin C can lead to a serious condition called scurvy in guinea pigs and other health problems including sneezing and becoming poorly. To make sure your pig’s vitamin C level stays strong- you need to provide them daily with the correct amount of vitamin C pellets. Be sure to replace these every day as vitamin C degrades very fast in pellets if left in the open. They should also have a good supply of fresh hay and the correct amount of fresh Veg and fruit each day which are high in vitamin C to keep them healthy. Spinach, Kale, parsley, broccoli, pepper, citrus fruits, strawberries and blue berries are all fab sources of vitamin C.
What About Allergies causing your pet to Sneeze?- As I said above, it’s actually very surprising how often rabbits or guinea pigs can be allergic to things. It can also be a very slow and frustrating process having to exclude factors one by one to work out if their sneezing stops or not. Common causes of allergies can be scented cleaning products and the use of saw dust or dust based beddings. However there can be many causes including your own perfume or clothing which can be transferred to your pet when you pick them up. If you suspect that your pet is sneezing due to an allergy then first exclude what you think is the most likely cause, then slowly work through all possible causes until you locate the source of the sneezing. You can also use pet safe cleaning products (unscented) and try to avoid being covered in perfume when you handle your pets as this can upset their delicate noses.
What About Bedding? If your small pet is still sneezing, it could be an allergy to their bedding causing it. Wood shavings contain dust, even the dust extracted stuff and some cheaper types contain lots of nasties including oils that irritate guinea pigs respiratory tract. Instead you could try some soft fleece liners as a bedding option. Or you could try newspaper. Hypoallergenic liners which are free from nasties are a great option for pets with allergies and likewise for humans in the house with allergies too, to pet bedding. If you think your pet is sneezing due to the hay you are feeding them, try looking into giving them a dust extracted version of their hay. Dust extracted is more expensive but it does reduce risk of sneezing and reactions to their hay by a huge margin however it’s important to remember that even dust extracted hay still will have some dust in.
What about Stress?- There is no sugar coating the fact that stress for a small pet can cause a huge range of health problems. Sneezing is just one of the common ways in which stress may show itself in your pet. Guinea pigs and rabbits can be naturally nervous but especially guinea pigs- stress can cause them to sneeze. Common causes of stress like a change in environment, losing a partner, illness, fighting or not getting along with their bonded partner, being too hot or too cold can all cause stress. Stress can then affect their immune system. This then puts them at higher risk of getting sick and developing allergies or infections that cause sneezing. To try to reduce stress- make sure they live in a nice calm space, avoid loud noises and create a loving safe environment for your pets. Try to keep them at a happy temperature with the correct diet and plenty of enrichment. Use dust extracted hay and bedding if sneezes start and if you must move them e.g. taking them to board while you’re away on holiday- then make sure you are happy with the space you are taking them too. It should be clean, safe and as quite as possible, at a stable temperature ideally. Only leave your pets with someone who has expertise and will spot the symptoms of your small pet getting sick due to stress from being moved. Unfortunately even with the best pet carer, small pets can still get sick when a change of environment occurs so it’s important to have a emergency plan in place with them in case they do become sick.
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