Instructions for Bunny Ears

A rabbit's long ears, besides being an identifying trait of the animal, are a vital part of a rabbit's anatomy. Rabbits have an acute sense of hearing, which is one of the senses they most rely on in the wild, as well as in captivity. Rabbit ears contain an intricate blood vessel system, and one of the ways a rabbit regulates its body temperature is by releasing heat through its ears. Whether your rabbit has upright ears, lop ears or "helicopter" ears with one up and one down, it is your job to help the rabbit maintain its ear health.

  1. Check Ups

    • Check your rabbit's ears weekly. Healthy rabbit ears should be clear of dirt, scabs, wax and debris, and should have a pinkish tint on the inside. If your rabbit has ears that are tattered, damaged, inflamed or crusty, take her to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian as soon as possible. Also, if your rabbit is constantly shaking, or scratching at her ears, a vet visit is in order.

    Ear Mites

    • Treat and prevent ear mites. Ear mites create a brown, scabby crust in the rabbit's ears. Outdoor rabbits are far more prone to contracting ear mites than animals kept indoors. Advantage and Revolution are flea and tick medicines made for cats, which also kill and prevent ear mites in rabbits. Note that Frontline, another flea and tick medicine for cats, is very dangerous for rabbits. Treat the ear mites completely before cleaning the scabs from the ears. Otherwise, the scabs are difficult to remove and you may tear the rabbit's delicate skin trying to dislodge them.

    Infections

    • If your rabbit shakes her head frequently, scratches at her ears or seems off-balance, bring the bunny to your vet. Your veterinarian will do a culture to decide the best antibiotic for the job. Rabbit-safe antibiotics include enrofloxacin, chloramphenicol or penicillin. Middle- and inner-ear infections can be difficult to cure in rabbits, and many require long-term antibiotics. Ear infections left untreated can spread to the respiratory system and may result in "headtilt," a condition in which the rabbit rolls its head. Extreme cases may require amputation of the infected ear.

    Handling Rabbits

    • Never pick up, pull or restrain a rabbit by the ears; this is very painful to the animal. A healthy rabbit will not need you to clean her ears. Never stick anything in your bunny's ears. Occasionally rabbits kept in very small spaces have been known to chew each other's ears. If this is happening, you are not practicing proper husbandry. Your rabbits need more space, more stimulation, places to hide from one another or may need to be separated.