Have you tried switching hay? I know a lot of the time, it's the hay and not the actual rabbit itself. Timothy hay is quite dusty I think. I know a few members have experienced this, I'm sure they can give you better advice.

that was what i was going to suggest. it is oftentimes the hay, not the bunny. you may have better luck with another type of grass hay, orchard is usually a big hit with bunnies. you can try that first, to see if it helps. he may want to actually go and get some allergy testing done so you can work on the actual allergy trigger instead of just guessing what it might be.

I think we have posted this a few different times before on here about allergies....

Personally, I have allergies to cats, dogs, most fluffy animals. I know I am allergic to their saliva-cats & dogs anyways. I have noticed that the hair in our house has hugely increased w/ the addition of our mini lop 2hrs ago. Our minirexes and dwarf dont shed together as much as our one lop does!

BUT for sure, I know that the hay DOES bother me a LOT!

Suggestions we have discussed before include:
1.) enclosed litter boxes for your buns to keep hay/hair in one spot (those big cat litter boxes w/ the swing front doors);
2.) keep your hay in a container that is vented but enclosed enough so the hay is not floating around and keep it somewhere that your BF won't frequent;
3.) try different types of hay to see if your BF may not be allergic to all types (see other posts on suggestion hays in place of timothy if he is allergic to timothy hay);
4.) look into using over the counter allergy meds like Claritin or Zyrtec (or even Benadryl) and if those do not work consider getting a prescription med;
5.) suggest to your BF that ANYTIME he is playing/touching your buns or touching anything they have touched-make sure he washes his hands as soon as possible once he is done doing whatever...this will decrease the chance of him touching his face or eyes and then it affecting him more;
6.) search here on BB (most I remember were in the Lounge area -i think) using the word allergy or allergies and our past posts may have great ideas as well that I just can't remember.

With having 4 buns the hay and hair bother me when they didn't before. I asked my family doctor to give me a prescription for an Advair inhaler as well as an albuterol (rescue) inhaler. When I was little I had allergy-induced asthma and unfortunately I have not grown out of it. My asthma only acts up when I am at a freinds house w/ cats or dogs. Now at home the only time I could have problems is with changing litter boxes. Right now my script fro Advair ran out and I keep forgetting to get it refilled. But if I am taking the Advair like it is prescribed I NEVER have any breathing issues at all! Ever!

I know most people think it is crazy to take prescription meds for animals but the reality is if it wasn't your buns it could be some other animal down the road that you fall in love with and refuse to consider getting rid of the animal and go on meds anyways. And for me, the companionship and love that I give/get from my furry babies is more than a reason for me to go on meds. And..I have found in the long run being on an allergy med has reduced the allergy issues I had when I was out during the summer or at friends' houses.

When you find something that works let us know! There are always people looking for great options with animals and allergies so whatever you come up with pass it along.

Those are great tips Hedi! I think I am going to add this to the FAQ section.  I also would like to add investing in an air purifier. It reallys helps me out with my reaction to hay. I have one big one for the house in the hallway and a smaller one right next to the cage. It not only helps me, but my Daffodil has allergies as well.

Here is a link to a discussion on allergies that was posted in the FAQ section already:

Allergies:

http://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/2/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/90134/Default.aspx#90712 (once you are in the thread, scroll down to "bitterpiphany" post - great suggestions!)

Thanks alot Hedi, those are defently helpful tips!!

He, like you had asthma as a kid, and my bunnys have triggerd it again. While I love my man, like you I cant not have my bunny babys! I bought an air purifier today, it was over 300$ So it should be good quility, its in our bedroom now (Were he needs to breath most, at night) So hopefully we will see resualts, ill post about it.

If that purifier isnt enough ill defently look into those meds, hes not quite as willing to take drugs for my bunnys (The bunnys are my babys, he just thinks there cute) but ill try to convince him.

The problem with changing hay is that i live in asmall town with two small local pet stores, both only supplying Timothy hay and Alfalfa (My bunnys are not eating alfalfa, ive read bad stuff about it) So timmy hay is really my only choice...

ill defently look into the enclosed litter box, that to could be tricky with the lack of stores.

Ill go cheak out that link Scarlet Rose, Thanks alot all of you for the great advice!!

You're welcome! I hope it works out and your guy will reconsider taking some allergy meds.

Ask about town too, if there's any horse owners, they may sell you a small bag of different hay. Else, pick up some varieties when next in a bigger town and try them out. If you find a hay that works, your petstore may get it in for you. This is of course if the hay is the actual problem!

Oh yeah...we have gotten hay around here from local farmers. You can always check craigslist if you have one in your area in the farm section for hay-that is how we knew where to get ours. BUT...one thing to keep in mind if you get local hay..dont store the entire thing in your house because there is always a chance it has small bugs in it. (Eeek! I know our local HRS used to get farm hay until all the people who used it, their buns had fleas).


I think most people on here with allergies to hay have changed to Orchard Grass...I think? Someone say if I am wrong..but I thought BB said that this has the same nutrition as Timothy for our buns.

Hedi did a great job of summarizing all the tips. One additional allergy treatment I would recommend is one that I learned on Oprah, its called the Neti Pot. You can look it up online, I know, it seems super weird, but my husband and I just start using this and it cleared up his sinusitis really well and has been helping me a ton with my allergies