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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Timothy Hay allergy

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    • Misspixie
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        I’ve discovered that I have a pretty bad allergy to Timothy Hay. I’ve been trying different allergy medicines to see which one will help. Zyrtec has been the best so far but I’m still feeling pretty horrible. I don’t mind having a stuffy nose from time to time but my eyes itch constantly. This has gotten worse after getting a different brand of Timothy Hay. Now I wake up in the middle of the night with severe sinus congestion and very, very itchy eyes. When I put fresh hay in my buns box and hay bin I get red welts so I’ve had to start wearing gloves when giving them hay. I have a studio so my buns share the main room with me. I also have a fan on at night for the noise and because it is starting to get warm.

        I’m thinking of getting an air purifier but was wondering if I could get some suggestions on other things that may help. Have any of you tried an air purifier? Did it help?


      • Sarita
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          Have you tried Orchard Grass Hay? Many people can tolerate this much better.


        • Misspixie
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            I haven’t yet because I thought that Timothy was the best hay for them. Will Orchard Grass Hay give them the same health benifits as Timothy Hay?


          • Beka27
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              Orchard grass is a grass hay and it’s a good substitute for people with timothy allergies. Many people feed it exclusively.

              I’d also suggest you make a covered area for them to eat hay to keep some of the dust particles down.


            • Sarita
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                Yes, definitely. It is seasonal though but many people use orchard grass exclusively due to their allergies and their rabbits like it just as much.


              • Misspixie
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                  Beka27, thank you for that great suggestion! I had not thought of creating a covered area. They do have a hidey box to sleep and play in but I had not thought of putting one over their litter box. I will also try the Orchard Grass as suggested.

                  Thank you all so much!


                • Beka27
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                    It could even just be a cardboard box, upside down with an opening on one side. Also, try to minimize how much you have to handle the hay by giving a lot in a hay rack at once.


                  • Stickerbunny
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                      When you put the hay in the box, wear a mask as well as gloves so you aren’t breathing in the particles. Also, change clothes once you do it, to get riid of any dust on you or have an overly large button down shirt to go over your clothes for hay handling. Make sure the storage bin has a TIGHT lid and keep it shut.

                      I feed a mix of oat and timothy hay – the oat hay is the same nutrients as orchard grass but a lot less dusty than timothy with more of a corn husk texture, so I use it in the rooms that aren’t dedicated to the rabbits because my boyfriend is allergic to timothy and leave their timothy in their rooms for them.


                    • Misspixie
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                        I do have a hay rack that I keep filled with hay for them. I never thought about changing my clothes too but that makes sense, so I’ll do that tonight. I am also going to try putting the Timothy in their rack and then the Orchard in their box, plus putting a larger box over their litter box. Hopefully this will cut down on my itchy eye at least. My contacts sure are hating me. lol!


                      • Beka27
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                          Depending on your schedule, another option would be to feed hay immediately prior to when you get in the shower, so not only are you changing your clothes, but you’re also washing your hair, arms, etc… I do this on grooming day, I groom my pair while in my PJs, then as soon as I’m done I can just hop in the shower. I hate the feeling of having fur all over me…


                        • LoveChaCha
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                            I’ve got pretty horrible allergies to Timothy Hay, except for American Pet Diner timothy gold. The hay isn’t even dusty, and I have a 5 lb of it in the apartment. Orchard is a great alternative, it is soft, and fragrant to bunny noses I hope that you stop having allergies!


                          • aerosmithgrl
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                              i feel helpful because i actually can recomend something! go to your doctors. ask about ‘Alaway’ eyedrops, when i get itchy/red eyes i put the drops right on the area and within a few mins it flushes everything out and your eyes feel loads better if not normal or better. it does burn the teensiest bit but on red and itchy eyes it feels sooooo good!


                            • Misspixie
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                                I just wanted to give you guys an update. I’ve switched to Orchard hay and have an air purifier. I haven’t had to take an allergy pill for 2 days now!!! Hopefully I will be able to smell again soon. I haven’t been able to smell anything for about 3 weeks now due to allergies, even when my sinuses weren’t clogged. Thank you all for your wonderful advice!


                              • LoveChaCha
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                                  WOOHOOO! Yay MissPixie I’m glad that it is working!

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                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Timothy Hay allergy