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House rabbit has dandruff & fur loss. What causes rabbit mites?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male | neutered | 1 year old | 2.8 lbs

Hi , my mini lop rabbit aged one today seems to have mites, he has white dandruff looking spots on his skin where he is missing patches of fur. As he is a house bunny and doesn’t go out and we live three floors up I’m not sure how these mites could have gotten to him:/ I have had a recent burst pipe and was wondering if these kind of mites could come from the water flooding my carpet as it was damp for around a week Any help or advice would be great Jess

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 2nd, 2018

Sometimes mites can be transmitted by commercial store-bought food or hay. You will need to take your rabbit to a veterinarian for an exam and proper diagnosis. The vet can then inject your rabbit with an acaricide that will get rid of the mites. You will also have to clean out thee cage thoroughly, wash it with bleach and rinse it well, and wash all toys and food and water containers in very hot water. Throw away the food and hay you have and buy new food with a long expiration date.

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