Why Do Some Rabbits Have Red Eyes?

Last Updated on March 6, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

Rabbits’ having red eyes can mean two things. One is albinism, and the other is an eye infection. You can tell that a rabbit is an albino when its eyes are red while having white fur.

An eye infection can happen in rabbits regardless of their fur color. An eye infection is usually accompanied by other symptoms like bumps around the eyes and swelling.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more detail why rabbits have red eyes:

What’s an albino rabbit?

Albinism is a mutation of the C locus genes that is responsible for synthesizing melanin. When the melanin pigment is removed from the body, the rabbit will have that bleached look in its eyes and fur.

Albino rabbits look like this:

Albino rabbits have red eyes. Not because their eyes have red pigments, but due to the fact that they don’t have any pigments at all, which in turn exposes the blood vessels in the eyes.

Albino rabbits are extremely rare in the wild, but due to the demand for albino rabbits as pets, we humans intentionally breed them. You can tell if your rabbit is albino by looking at whether their eyes are red or pink and if their fur is bright white.

What breeds of rabbits are prone to albinism?

While recessive, any rabbit breed can carry the albinism gene. But due to popular demand for albino rabbits, rabbit breeders have developed a breed that can consistently produce albino rabbits like the Florida White.

Here are the most common rabbit breeds that can produce albino rabbits:

• Florida white
• Himalayan rabbits
• Californian rabbits
• Angora rabbits
• Holland Lop
• Polish
• Jersey Wooly
• Lionhead
• Mini Lop
• Netherland Dwarf
• Rex rabbits
• Satin Rabbits
• New Zealand
• Flemish Giant

Health concerns with albino rabbits.

Albino rabbits are just as healthy as non-albino rabbits. The gene that makes them albino only affects the pigments of their cells.

One thing that differentiates albino rabbits from non-albino is their sensitivity to light.

The pigments in our skin and eyes can act as filters for light. But due to the lack of pigments in albino rabbits, they tend to be more prone to light sensitivity and sunburn.

So if you’re planning on having an albino rabbit, make sure that your place is well insulated from sunlight and bright lights. You should also avoid bringing your albino rabbits outside for long periods of time.

Other causes of red eyes in rabbits.

Albinism is not the only cause of red eyes in rabbits. Certain eye conditions can turn your rabbit’s eyes red regardless of their color due to swelling.

Here are the most common reasons why rabbits have red eyes:

• Conjunctivitis 
• Allergies
• Fungal infections
• Glaucoma
• Overgrown teeth
• Bacterial infections
• Scratched eye
• Cornial ulcers
• E. cuniculi

If you notice redness in your rabbit’s eyes or anything out of the ordinary, immediately contact your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

Red eyes in rabbits are usually caused by albinism. Due to a lack of pigment in their eyes, which is caused by a mutation in their pigment-producing gene, albino rabbits’ blood vessels in their eyes are exposed, giving them those pink or red eyes.

While albino rabbits are as healthy as non-albino rabbits, they do have some light sensitivity because pigments can act as a filter for light. If you have an albino rabbit, make sure that your rabbit is protected from bright lights and don’t expose them to sunlight for long periods of time.

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