Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV) Updates

Information About Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)

Updated January 29th, 2024

What is RHDV?

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious disease that affects domestic (pet) rabbits as well as cottontails, snowshoe hares and jackrabbits.

To see affected states and counties, visit the USDA interactive map.

For a comprehensive overview of RHDV, including updates on vaccinations and other ways to protect your rabbit, visit one of the following websites:  House Rabbit Society or Rabbit.org Foundation

Is Small Pet Select hay grown in the areas where the RHDV outbreak occurred?

No. There have been no reported cases of RHDV2 in the areas where our hay is grown.

What steps are you taking to keep your hay as safe as possible?

According to the USDA reports we are following, the virus is estimated to live approximately 90 days in the environment only if conditions are ideal.

The hay we are currently selling has completed our quality control processes, which includes securely storing this hay for at least 105 days.

In fact, our current hay exceeds these quality standards—it was fully wrapped and stored for eight months before it was available for sale.

What other steps are you taking?

We continue to work closely with rabbit health experts to get the latest updates on the current outbreak of RHDV. We will continue to share information with you. 

For detailed information from the USDA, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa-epidemiology-animalhealth-ceah/ri