I found blood on the floor by my rabbit's cage. I do have a cut on my toe. Could that be where the blood is coming from or is my rabbit bleeding?

Answer 1

Rabbits don't have menstrual periods so the blood can't be that. Check your rabbit all over for any cuts, and if you find one and the cut is raw, provide first aid (see below). If not, it might just be from your toe. But if you were never standing in your rabbit's cage, it couldn't be from your toe: blood doesn't travel around on its own.

First Aid

Some people say to use any antiseptic cream or powder, but according to Dana Krempels, PhD and long-time rabbit caregiver, the best topical antiseptic for a rabbit cut is watered-down povidone iodine (Betadine). Other kinds of antiseptics can be very painful for the rabbit, or they might make the problem worse. If your rabbit has a cut, you should flush the wound with watered-down Betadine (watered-down to an iced tea colour), then cover the wound with a non-stick pad secured with a self-adhesive wrap (don't let the wrap touch the wound, because it will stick), and then get the rabbit to a vet because even the smallest cut can lead to a huge abscess; also, rabbit skin is surprisingly stretchy and a small cut can quickly stretch into something huge, so it should be seen by a professional in case it needs proper disinfecting and stitches.

If the blood is coming from a torn nail, you don't necessarily need to see the vet right away: just flush the wound, and keep an eye on how the nail grows back. If the toe becomes swollen and red, or if there's puss, or if there's anything unusual about the area, bring the rabbit to the vet. If the nail grows back fine, mention it to the vet at your next regular check-up so the vet can examine it closely. In the future, clip your rabbit's nails regularly. Rabbits shouldn't be kept on wire grating because it can lead to torn nails (and sore hocks).