As of: February 15, 2024, 2:04 p.m
By: Lara-Sabrina Kiehl
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Two large, plush rabbits cuddle with their owner and delight the Instagram community.
But you shouldn't always get so close to your pets.
They're fluffy, cute and pretty big - the rabbits Edna and Idar from the
account @bunzillaz are not stuffed animals, even if they almost look like one.
No, they are real long-eared creatures, which surprisingly remind some users of a cat.
Because they love to cuddle and sleep comfortably on their owner's blanket.
The community is enchanted - but too much proximity can potentially be dangerous for the pets.
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Bunnies are more cuddly than ever
It is extremely unusual for rabbits to be so familiar and cuddly.
After all, they are not considered typical cuddly toys.
As a rule, it is cats or dogs that seek close physical contact with people.
So it's no wonder that many people want such an intimate moment with their own small animals.
However, when dealing with the animals, the rabbit's well-being should always be the priority.
We humans often hold the animal in our arms.
However, as flight animals, they feel safest on the ground and find it stressful to be picked up, even for petting.
In such situations, they react with body rigidity, a clear warning sign of acute stress.
What else is important when it comes to keeping small animals?
When proximity becomes a danger: Herpes can spread from humans to rabbits.
(Symbolic image) © ingimage/Imago
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Pay attention to stress-free handling
In extreme cases, the animals try to escape the situation by playing dead and enduring being petted.
This behavior should be taken seriously because ongoing stress leads to a continuous release of stress hormones, which in turn puts strain on the adrenal glands.
The constant stress significantly weakens the animals' immune systems and makes them more susceptible to illness.
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Serious danger to the animal: herpes
What is particularly worrying is that rabbits' beloved cuddle time can even have fatal consequences.
Unlike humans, where cold sores are usually annoying but harmless, this virus poses a high risk for rabbits and chinchillas.
Herpes simplex is extremely contagious and can easily be transmitted to animals through a kiss or close proximity to people.
Once infected, the virus spreads rapidly throughout the rabbit's body and their immune system cannot cope with the pathogen, which can lead to rapid death.
The symptoms of the viral disease are varied and severe, including meningitis, movement disorders, paralysis, breathing problems, tilting of the head, uncoordinated eye movements and lack of appetite.
Death can occur within hours to days.
Treatment is not possible.
How to protect your animal
To prevent transmission, people suffering from herpes simplex should take special precautions.
These include washing your hands thoroughly before feeding or interacting with the animals, wearing disposable gloves when cleaning the cage, avoiding close contact, and refraining from kissing or petting the rabbits.
Wearing a face mask while feeding and cleaning the cage is also advisable to minimize transmission of the virus.
Read here how you can make your home animal-proof for rodents.