Hello! Mocha is starting to get fur loss on his hind legs. The skin is pink (not red) and flaky. I know it is sore hocks (or becoming sore hocks). He isn't the skinniest rabbit although last year the vet said he was fine. He has been housed on cement floor since June and their condo is linoleum. I also haven't clipped his nails since before June (I know that isn't good but its hard because my dad is always busy and I can't do it myself). Also they haven't been able to run around outside of their cage except for their pen. All of the above can cause sore hocks. I feel awful. They will be moving into our brand new house next weekend so they will finally be able to run around outside of their pen (they are at my grandparents house and they don't allow them to come out of the pen). I am going to also take care of toenail clipping etc. In my new room (until I can build them a new cage) they will have a 2x5 condo with and a rug in the middle of the room. I read Linoleum can cause sore hocks so I was trying to figure out what to put down in the condo so it is softer on his feet because they both seem to sleep in their condo all day and only come out at night (even though the door is open 24/7). I was thinking about sheepskin rugs. Is that a good idea? If so were would you recommend I would buy them from? Or is there a different material that's better? Also should I have something else on the floor of my room for when they come out of the cage? I am so sorry this was so long! I meant for it to be short!

After reading past threads I have come up with this mat: http://www.petco.com/product/110492...e-Mat.aspx
LPT says its the best her her lop and Mocha's a lop so I thought maybe I should give it a try! I haven't decided if this is what I will order though. If I did get them should I get enough to cover the whole cage? Besides the litter box and stuff.

any other suggestions?

another one someone recommended recently is memory foam bathmats from Costco.

Hopefully you wont need to use anything long term if you can get the fur to grow back.

I highly recommend the Snoozy mat. Both Olivia and Bindi have had issues in the past and over a year ago, I put Snoozy mats in their condos and they haven`t had problems since. I also like that they come in different sizes, are affordable and can be thrown in the washer and dryer. They are so plush that it mimics the natural feel of dirt and grass on their feet which is needed for sore hocks-prone bunnies. A great product!

Mocha gets matted hair down on his feet. It is normally more towards his toes and I would pull them off because I didn't think mats were good to have on rabbits. Could have that caused it? I have only done it once or twice this summer. So could have the mats caused it in anyway? Either from me pulling them off or from me leaving them there?

Are the mats around the same areas as the hair loss? I don't think the mats could cause the hair loss, but if he already has problem with sore hocks I think pulling the mats off might contribute a little though it probably wouldn't be a major cause.

No the mats are on the front of his feet by his toes. I wasn't sure if it would effect the way he stood therefor creating more weight on his hock. I know not cutting nails can change the way they stand so I thought maybe the mats could to. I think I am going to measure the cage later today when I set it up and see what size mats to order.

I read this in the house rabbit society.

In simple cases, providing a soft absorbent resting surface (cotton toweling or artificial fleece are ideal if the rabbit doesn't chew them), cleaning the underside of the foot, and applying a padded wrap for 1-2 weeks will help effect a cure. Topical use of Preparation H or Bag Balm are folk remedies that can be effective.

Should I be doing something like this? Like wrapping his foot or applying bag balm?

You said the skin is pink so I wouldn`t bother doing anything other than getting him on better flooring. They probably don`t need treatment unless they get worse.

Yeah, pink is okay, its when it gets red and irritated that you need to worry.

Hmm I'd guess that the mats probably don't have much to do with it. Also, I agree with monkeybun/LPT - as long as the skin doesn't look irritated I'd just look into another flooring. Just keep an eye on him!

Ok thanks! The only thing is that the skin is flaking off.... not sure what that means.

Hi, Mocha, I was going to suggest Bag Balm for the feetsies so they can have some soothing relief of the red area and some moisture for the flaky area. It's safe for animals. (And good for scaly human heels, too!)

I am happy with my current rug solution since Sammy won't venture out of her xpen onto the tiles. I got a low pile area rug at Target for $20 (4'x5'), and I know Sarita has bought similar ones at Walmart in the past. I got grey, ie. one with very little colored dye. Then I got (at Walmart for $4) a twin flat 100% cotton sheet that I put on top and tucked under to make a smooth, safe surface. You might even throw down an sheet right now over the concrete. Cotton means if they chew it, it's natural digestible fiber. A cotton towel is a good idea for a smaller bed area. Mocha can bunch up a plain towel into shapes and pillow formations he likes, which can be cheaper and easier to use and wash than a fleece bed. The one you pictured is nice, too.

Pam: Thanks! I have some Bag Balm on hand so I will use that.

Last night I clipped all of his nails alone! I am so excited I can do it by myself now! I did cut the quick on one of his nails :'( but I had quick stop right next to me and it stopped bleeding. I looked at his fee again and he may just have a callus right now. From what I have read online they say that most adult rabbits have a flap of fur and underneath have a pink callus. But I don't want it to crack as it is flaking.

I cleaned out the condo last night and on the levels of the condo I put 4 layers of towels and 2 layers of fleece ( the towels and fleece were folded.) and I put my thickest fleece blanket in the pen on top of the cement along with a grass mat and other fleecy mats.

You guys probably are thinking I am over reacting! haha! But I want to make sure my baby s safe and healthy!