What diseases can dogs get from eating rabbit poop?
Veterinarians will sometimes see evidence that a dog has been eating rabbit droppings by finding the parasite, coccidia, in the stool. The rabbit form of coccidia doesn't cause harm to the dog and simply passes through the intestinal tract. There is a dog form of coccidia that can cause infection and then diarrhea.
Rabbit poop can contain various nasty germs that can upset a dog's stomach. In the week after rabbit droppings are eaten, you might see your dog become lethargic, eat less, and have vomiting and diarrhea. This is more likely if they have a sensitive stomach or other pre-existing conditions like pancreatitis.
Dogs may consume rabbit poop for a variety of reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, curiosity, and regular 'ol derpy dog behavior. While rabbit poop may cause illness in dogs, it usually doesn't sicken them or create any serious health problems.
If you notice them chomping down on something in the grass, give a "leave it" or "come" command. This will draw your dog away from the rabbit poop and give you the chance to focus their attention on something else, like a chew toy or game of fetch. Reward your pup with a treat or praise if they come to you right away.
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Refusal to eat.
- Severe weakness and depression.
- Stiffness.
- Severe muscle pain.
Rabbits carry the parasite giardia duodenalis as part of their intestinal flora, and generally do not experience symptoms apart from occasional diarrhea. The parasite is secreted in their feces, however, and if a dog ingests the feces or consumes contaminated food or water, it may develop giardiasis as a result.
The giardia organism can be found in soil, food or water sources, especially if contaminated with feces. If your dog or cat ingests giardia from one of those sources, they will most likely show signs of diarrhea within 24 hours.
Scare them away. Lights, shiny aluminum pie tins, and motion scare devices can be enough to ward off rabbits, at least for a time. Dogs and cats running free in the yard are a great deterrent, too.
Tularemia, also known as 'Rabbit Fever' is a bacterial disease that occurs most often in rabbits, hares and rodents but can affect people as well as wild and domestic animals including dogs. The disease is caused by toxins in the blood which are produced by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis.
Tularemia is often self-limiting although some dogs experience short periods of poor appetite, lethargy, and mild fever. Less frequently, dogs may show conjunctivitis, uveitis (inflammation in their eyes), draining abscesses, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Why does my dog eat rabbit and deer poop?
What is this? Intestinal Parasites: Intestinal parasites lurking in your dog's digestive tract could be sharing the nutrients he gets from food. As a result, your dog may not get the right amount of nutrients that he needs, which can increase his hunger and prompt him to eat deer stool.
If your dog is eating poop, it could be for a number of reasons, including anxiety, attention, isolation, confinement or inappropriate association with food, according to the American Kennel Club. Some dogs with harsh punishment trauma may eat their own poop to avoid further reprimand.

Parvo, also known as parvovirus, is a viral infection that can affect any mammal, including rabbits. Infection spreads through oral-fecal contamination and is generally more likely found in commercial rabbitries, rabbit farms or other conditions where rabbits endure crowded housing conditions.
So it's probably not a good idea to give rabbit ears with fur as a daily treat. The most common concern about rabbit ears is whether the hair might cause an impaction. Hair is not easily digested, and therefore if eaten in large quantities it may struggle to pass.
Dogs usually get sick one to two weeks after exposure. Illness can last days or weeks and may include fever, chills, vomiting, muscle aches or diarrhea. Some dogs may seem to recover after the initial illness, but later develop more severe symptoms.
Leptospirosis is responsive to antibiotics and complete recovery is possible, but some dogs that survive may be left with chronic kidney or liver disease. Some dogs may not survive if the infection has caused significant organ damage or severely affected the ability of blood to form clots.
Leptospirosis is generally treated with antibiotics and supportive care. When treated early and aggressively, the chances for recovery are good but there is still a risk of permanent residual kidney or liver damage. Currently available vaccines effectively prevent leptospirosis and protect dogs for at least 12 months.
Tularemia is often self-limiting although some dogs experience short periods of poor appetite, lethargy, and mild fever. Less frequently, dogs may show conjunctivitis, uveitis (inflammation in their eyes), draining abscesses, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Rabbits carry the parasite giardia duodenalis as part of their intestinal flora, and generally do not experience symptoms apart from occasional diarrhea. The parasite is secreted in their feces, however, and if a dog ingests the feces or consumes contaminated food or water, it may develop giardiasis as a result.
Is Rabbit Poop Harmful? While rabbits can carry parasites like tapeworm and roundworm, their waste is not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
How quickly do dogs get giardia symptoms?
The giardia organism can be found in soil, food or water sources, especially if contaminated with feces. If your dog or cat ingests giardia from one of those sources, they will most likely show signs of diarrhea within 24 hours.
Tularemia, also known as 'Rabbit Fever' is a bacterial disease that occurs most often in rabbits, hares and rodents but can affect people as well as wild and domestic animals including dogs. The disease is caused by toxins in the blood which are produced by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis.
Parvo, also known as parvovirus, is a viral infection that can affect any mammal, including rabbits. Infection spreads through oral-fecal contamination and is generally more likely found in commercial rabbitries, rabbit farms or other conditions where rabbits endure crowded housing conditions.
Tularemia most often affects lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) and rodents; however, it has been reported as affecting more than 100 species of wild and domestic mammals. In North America, infections are most common in snowshoe hares, black-tailed jackrabbits, and eastern and desert cottontails.
The most common symptom of an active giardia infection is watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may be greenish or yellow in color, or it might be brown, but it is always going to be liquid. There may sometimes be blood present in a dog's stool as a result of giardia as well.
Sprinkle dried sulfur, powdered red pepper, or hair
Rabbits are also repulsed by sulfur and red pepper. By sprinkling a bit around your lawn or shrubs, the smell alone will help to get the rabbits far away. You can also consider sprinkling some human hair as well.
Try sprinkling dried sulfur around or on your plants. Rabbits also dislike the smell of onions, so try planting these around your garden to further deter the furry creatures. To discourage pesky rabbits, try dusting your plants with plain talcum powder.
Dogs may occasionally develop severe lung disease and have difficulty breathing. Leptospirosis can cause bleeding disorders, which can lead to blood-tinged vomit, urine, stool or saliva; nosebleeds; and pinpoint red spots (which may be visible on the gums and other mucous membranes or on light-colored skin).
Your dog or cat might get infected by: Being in contact with infected poop from another dog or cat. Rolling and playing in contaminated soil. Licking its body after contact with a contaminated surface (for example, a dirty litter box or dog cage or crate)
Bunnies actually make two different kinds of droppings: little black round ones and softer black ones known as cecotropes that are eaten. This process is known as coprophagy, and functions the same as cows chewing their cud.
What does Giardia poop look like?
Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools.
The most readily available disinfectant is bleach diluted 1:32 in water. Studies have shown this dilution to require less than one minute of contact time to effectively kill giardia cysts.
Disinfect hardscape areas like patios and sidewalks with a solution of 1part chlorine bleach and 32 parts water. One minute of exposure to the chlorine bleach solution is enough to kill the giardia.