Have you ever witnessed the change in the rabbit’s eye color from the innocence of infancy to the wisdom of their adulthood? The pet keepers know that adorable eyes of bunnies do not possess same color throughout their lives. Some of them usually exhibit a gradual transformation from the slight hue to the well-defined color of their lens during their lifespan.
Yes, rabbits change eye color when they mature, as they are born with closed eyes lacking pigment. As they grow, the color gradually changes and permanently attains a new one at the age of 3 months. It can also change in adulthood due to infection, diseases, cataracts, or glaucoma, but this temporary change requires proper treatment or attention.
In this article, you will explore the hidden mysteries in the changing gaze of your beloved pet rabbit. It will help unveil the factors that influence the change in eye color. In addition, you will get to know the conditions when it becomes essential to consult a veterinarian to treat your pet bunny. Also, it helps to know about the change associated with severe problems in adult rabbits.
What color eyes do rabbits have?
The eye color of rabbits varies among different species or breeds with different genetic makeup and living conditions. One of the most important factors responsible for it is their genetics.
The color is mainly determined by a combination of genes inherited from parents, so they are most likely to have the same features as their parents.
However, the environment also has a significant influence on their physical characteristics. Some common eye colors in bunnies are bluish-grey, brown, ruby, red, pink, blue, etc.
Moreover, a few have amber and marble-colored eyes, but the most commonly found is brown. The Himalayan rabbits have a bluish lens, which darkens upon maturity.
Overall, the presence of different colors shows uniqueness, diversity, and charms in different rabbit breeds. It becomes easy to differentiate the different breeds based on their lens color.
Can rabbits change eye color?
The rabbits can change eye color at different times of their lifespan, but most of the time, this change is not permanent. It is permanent in adulthood and remains the same for the rest of their life.
However, it temporarily changes for different reasons but does not affect their eye color significantly. A few factors responsible for it are changes in light exposure, diet, and environmental conditions.
Health conditions also have a great influence on the eye color of mature rabbits, as my bunny’s eye color changes when it is suffering from fever or any other health-related problems.
Additionally, genetic factors lead to a permanent change when they are at developing stages but rarely affect the mature rabbits in case of mutation.
Furthermore, the concentration of melanin in the iris also control it. Once the concentration of melanin reaches a limit required to maintain the color at maturity, their eye color does not change afterward.
Why do rabbits change their eye color?
The transition in eye color is possible after reaching maturity due to infection, injury or illness, glaucoma, or any other health problem. These changes can be treated using proper medication and appropriate care, but some changes are gradual and do not require any consultation from the vet.
1-Cataracts
Cataracts in rabbits occur in different ways and the eye color changes depending upon the progression and severity of cataracts.
In many cases, it does not lead to a visible change in the color of the lens but causes opacity or cloudiness in the eyes, making them hazy. It also turns into bluish or greyish due to increased cloudiness.
However, secondary complications usually arise if it is severe, like inflammation or a change in the appearance of the affected area.
In the advanced stages of this condition, it darkens and turns into a reddish hue. It is essential to thoroughly examine the condition for accurate diagnosis of cataracts and appropriate treatment.
2-Diseases
Some diseases cause red or pink eyes in rabbits, like systemic diseases, e.g., myxomatosis or pasteurellosis (snuffles). These have effects on the eyes and other multiple organs.
It leads to redness in the eyes along with some other ocular symptoms. In addition, there is another condition in which the uvea gets inflamed, called uveitis.
It is caused by autoimmune diseases, trauma, health problems, and other infections in eyes. It sometimes leads to sensitivity to light, redness, blurred vision, or pain.
Furthermore, exposure of your bunny to irritants like chemicals, smoke, or dust particles can cause redness or irritation. Environmental factors and bedding material can particularly cause allergies in the eyes.
3-Infections
The infections cause temporary changes in the color of rabbits’ eyes, either directly or indirectly. Bacterial conjunctivitis affects the thin membrane (conjunctiva) covering the eye’s white part and the eyelids’ surface.
In conjunctivitis, this membrane gets swollen or appears red and produces pus that becomes visible in the eyes. It leads to changes in their appearance or color in severe cases.
Further, dacryocystitis is an inflammation of tear ducts that leads to a change in the lens color when it gets chronic. In chronic situations, the tear ducts get scarred or damaged.
A few other examples of infections responsible for changes in eye color include viral conjunctivitis, chlamydiosis (bacterial infection), and encephalitozoonosis (a parasitic infection).
4- Glaucoma or corneal edema
Glaucoma is not directly involved in changing eye color in rabbits. It is characterized by increased pressure, which causes damage to the optic nerve.
Increased pressure in the eyes makes the cornea hazy or cloudy and changes appearance. Furthermore, this condition leads to cataracts with excessive tearing and squinting in some cases.
Corneal edema is associated with fluid accumulation within the cornea, leading to swelling. Their eyes become hazy or cloudy, which affects their overall appearance or color.
The iris color does not get affected by edema, which mainly determines the shade of the eyes. Other reasons for corneal edema can be infections, injury, medications, or underlying health conditions.
Can baby bunnies change their eye color?
Baby bunnies change their eye color when they grow and develop into adults. When these babies or kits are born, they usually lack the pigment in their lens.
It appears to be pinkish or bluish at that time. After a few weeks, their eyes open, and the pigment in the iris starts to develop gradually. Consequently, it changes the color in a few weeks.
Most of the baby rabbits begin to have the actual color within 2 to 4 weeks of their age. It stabilizes when they reach the age of 7 to 8 weeks.
However, some subtle changes still occur till their maturity. In addition, some factors like breed characteristics, individual variations, and genetics also influence it.
There are rabbit breeds that are specified or known by particular eye color. Overall, this process of changing lens color in rabbit kits is a captivating aspect of their growth and development.
What to do if you see a rabbit changing eye color?
If you observe your rabbit is changing its eye color, it is essential to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions to deal with the problem.
First, observe your pet carefully and note other symptoms along with changed color, like squinting, redness, discharge, changes in behavior, swelling, etc.
It will help identify the possible cause of changing eye color. Furthermore, seeking a vet’s consultation promptly is essential if you notice any concerning symptoms along with the color.
An experienced vet can diagnose the problem more efficiently after a thorough examination. After diagnosis, the vet can recommend appropriate treatment and medication for the relevant issue.
Meanwhile, care, proper attention, and provision of a comfortable and stress-free environment are add-ons for their fast recovery.
In addition, these problems can be easily prevented by providing good nutrition, maintaining hygienic conditions, and minimizing exposure to irritants in the environment.