Breathing is not something most people take for granted, but it is something most of us can do without being innately aware of it. While a few substances and foods will cause an allergic reaction, pets are highly prone to giving allergic reactions, lowering our quality of life and presenting new challenges within your household.

Still, even if one person has allergies, it does not stop them from wanting an animal! More specifically, you might want a rabbit. Given that case, are they hypoallergenic?

Rabbits are not considered hypoallergenic, but some breeds may better suit you than others. In that case, it is essential to learn about each of these rabbits to see if they are a good fit for you and your household.

Rabbits can make phenomenal pets. However, between their quiet and calm demeanor and adorable mannerisms, they are still covered in fur. This very same dander can cause people to have an allergic reaction, which can be problematic in any number of ways. Because of this, we recommend continuing reading for more information.

Are Rabbits Hypoallergenic?

 

While some rabbits trigger pet allergies, reactions, and breathing issues, some breeds are considered hypoallergenic to people, meaning they have been proven to cause significantly less volatile responses among people who do suffer from allergies.

It is worth noting that the breeds we will discuss are considered to cause “less” of an allergic reaction. More than likely, some responses will be from those who suffer from this. However, when pairing a breed that is considered hypoallergenic alongside proper medications, it may be possible to experience very little to no reaction at all.

It goes somewhat without saying, but if you are still experiencing extreme allergic reactions despite obtaining a breed of rabbit that causes less severe symptoms and you are actively on a medicine that reduces them as well, it may be a good idea to consider re-homing the animal for your sake and theirs as well.

 

What Are The Best Rabbits To Have If You Have Allergies?

 

Cuddly as some may be, not all rabbits are created equally, as we’ve noted above, and while that notion might not ring true to how cute they are, their fur may be prone to giving you a mild to extreme allergic reaction, to that end, these are some of your best options if you are attempting to avoid that issue, either for yourself, or a loved one.

Before diving directly into which breeds are best, it’s worth knowing that allergic reactions from rabbits (and most animals in general) are triggered by airborne particles that can be inhaled and trigger the allergic response. In contrast, most people only think about hairs and fur; the fluids your pets release can also cause these same reactions, including saliva and urine, which means cleanliness is a must.

 

1. American Sable

 

The American Sable is a fantastic blend of traditional rabbits in that its coat is still extremely thick and pleasant to the touch, and its overall demeanor is very relaxed and calm. Most importantly, its hypoallergenic quality is that it sheds significantly less than other rabbit breeds, meaning you or a loved one have significantly lower chances of breathing in the dander that causes allergic reactions.

They shed less, which can also make cleaning their cages easier than with other breeds. This makes them a fantastic pairing for people looking for a relatively low-maintenance rabbit that still fulfills their floppy-eared needs! 

 

2. Rex And Mini Rex

 

In much the same way that the American Sable makes for a phenomenal choice, the Rex and Mini Rex are shining examples of what would make for a great choice of pet if you have allergies. They shed less fur and dander than most other breeds, which contributes to them giving people fewer allergic reactions. This, in conjunction with their shorter, thicker fur, makes them ideal for people with allergies.

 

3. Havana

 

Havana rabbits are known for shedding very little and having a very pleasant personality as well. These delightful little fellows are very often loving and kind to almost anyone and extremely calm, meaning they won’t be likely to bound around their enclosures and keep up dust, dander, and other potentially problematic particles.

 

4. Angora

 

If you don’t mind having a slightly hands-off rabbit, then the Angora might be the perfect breed for you. These buns are extremely quick-witted and enjoyable to be around. Between their docile nature, short hair, and calm outlook, Angora rabbits could very well be the best choice someone with allergies could make, as far as getting a pet rabbit is concerned anyway.

How Can You Tell If You Are Allergic To Rabbits?

 

People with allergies typically know the subtle signs that you might be experiencing a reaction; anything from your basic sneezing and coughing to watery eyes could be a key indicator that something is amiss. Still, there are a myriad of different signs that you should look out for. Some of them include:

 

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Short of breath
• Struggling to breathe
• Irritation on the skin
• Rashes
• Eczema

 

It’s worth noting that these are just a few symptoms, as noted. They can be much more severe depending on how badly you are allergic to them. Some of the worst cases cause something called anaphylaxis, which is an extreme respiratory response that can hinder breathing and, if left unchecked, can even prove fatal, so be careful.

 

Can I Get A Rabbit If I Have Allergies?

 

Technically speaking, yes, you can get a rabbit if you have allergies. What you’ll want to be more keenly aware of is how allergic you are to rabbits specifically and how volatile your response is when in the presence of one.

It isn’t worth getting a rabbit as a companion if it means you are sacrificing your quality of life or the overall enjoyment of those around you. Allergic reactions can limit you from giving your pet critical care and affection, meaning you are both suffering from this living arrangement.

 

How To Keep A Rabbit Around If You Have Allergies

 

If you are completely sold on the idea of getting a rabbit despite having an allergic reaction, you can make a few easy choices that will make life a bit easier. But make no mistake: You will still face a multitude of challenges, and ultimately, you are catering to a situation your body isn’t apt to deal with, so be mindful and patient of any and all challenges you will need to overcome.

 

1. Invest In An Air Purifier

 

Getting your hands on a quality air purifier will help limit the amount of contagions in the air and allergic components that could potentially trigger an allergic response. While you would ideally want to purchase one that covers the most square footage in your home, you could alternatively invest in one that simply covers the rabbit’s room or your bedroom.

Strategic positioning of your air purifier will allow you to potentially get away with only a singular purchase, but more extreme allergic reactions may merit multiple purifiers in a home to improve your quality of life.

 

2. Keep Your Living Space Clean

 

The less dust, dander, and clutter you have resting in your home, the more likely you are to be free of any allergic reactions when you attempt to move something or disturb an area that has not been cleaned properly.

If you aren’t always on top of things, lifting a pile of dirty clothes, for example, would fling settled hair and animal fluids (residual) that will make their way into your nostrils or settle on your skin, causing a reaction.

 

3. Change Their Bedding Frequently

 

In much the same way you’d want to keep your own living space clean, you’ll want to do the very same for your animal as well. If your rabbit were to decide to hop and bound around its enclosure and you hadn’t gotten around to cleaning in a while, it would be stirring up the same hair and particles we spoke of earlier, inevitably leading to an allergic reaction.

 

4. Provide A High-Quality Diet To Reduce Dander Produced

 

It may not be common knowledge to some, but in much the same way that a human’s diet can directly impact how their skin is (grease and oily foods cause pimples, for example), a rabbit’s food quality can impact their fur. Whether it is glossy and shiny or how much shedding they do, there is a correlated response, and to that end, you’ll want to read up on what food options are best for your specific rabbit breed.

 

5. Use Medication

 

Thankfully, there are alternatives that can be utilized that aren’t just a matter of how much effort you put into keeping your house clean and sterile (although that is a vast majority of what you should be looking to do if you want to have a rabbit with allergies). Taking certain medications can help limit or even eliminate most allergic reactions, depending on how severe they are, to begin with.

While certain brands boast very strong upfront results, you would be wise to speak with your doctor before getting a rabbit in general and then see which kinds of medication would work best for your health situation. Not all medications will combine properly, or they may cause unique side effects that would make the entire endeavor unworthy.

 

6. Make Sure You Upkeep On Personal Hygiene

 

As you might expect, your well-being is another critical aspect of this adventure. Suppose you aren’t remaining clean and healthy, showering, and getting rid of any potential pet dander from yourself. In that case, you’ll just be caught in a repetitive loop of self-induced allergic responses because you are having an allergic reaction caused by particles on yourself. You aren’t cleaning them off sufficiently enough to stop it in the first place.

 

7. Limit Exposure To Your Pet Rabbit

 

It might be a bit sad to consider, but the more you pet, handle, and play with your rabbit, the more you are exposing yourself to the very same elements that trigger allergic reactions, so one of your best courses of action would be to set a limit on just how much time you spend with the rabbit in general, which then begs the question, is it truly a good choice to get one if you can’t bond with it properly.

 

8. Keep Your Rabbits Cage Outside Of Your Room

 

Removing your rabbit’s enclosure from where you sleep will allow you to have a safe haven to recoup from potential allergic reactions and guarantee that you can maintain some level of stability in what you are exposed to.

As long as the rabbit is in a different room, most of the allergic components that are released into the air daily will be confined to that room and several feet out of it, assuming the door is closed, and you have something under it to keep additional particles from getting out.

 

9. Consult With Your Doctor

 

As noted above, regarding medication, it is imperative that you speak with your doctor before getting a rabbit to see if it would truly be a wise choice for you and everyone else in your home. It’s possible that you may be ruining your quality of life on a whim, so a careful discussion should be had before making any quick choices.

Be sure to go over the pros and cons and also be aware of whoever else is in your home if you don’t live alone. Their well-being should be taken into consideration just as much as your own!

 

10. Consider Rehoming Your Animal

 

Suppose you’ve already got a rabbit before knowing you were allergic to them, or someone else in your home did. In that case, you’ll more than likely have to consider finding a different home for the animal, partially because it won’t be able to get the love and attention it deserves and partially because your personal quality of life will be greatly diminished as long as you are fighting for the right to breathe in your own home.

Assuming this conversation needs to be had with multiple people in your home, or it may concern smaller children who are very infatuated with the rabbit, you’ll want to navigate those waters very carefully, explaining in great detail how the choice to re-home the animal isn’t a punishment, and no one is to blame.

Final Thoughts

 

Having a rabbit when you are allergic to them is definitely possible, and there are multiple breeds that can facilitate the process. However, just because it is possible doesn’t necessarily mean you should do so, especially when there are several hairless pets available and other hypoallergenic animals that might fit your needs better than a rabbit.