Hairball Prevention and Treatment

[Cottontail]

Although this has not presented itself as a problem yet, I am always concerned about hairballs and blockages in animals.  I’ve seen first hand what kind of problems it can present in cats (some can be life-threatening), and I have heard and read about potential risks with rabbits.  My problem is this:

I know that no matter what the scenario, chances are that Pete is going to ingest hair– be it his, Zoey’s (feline), or human.  I know small amounts will pass through just fine, but is there anything that supplements the diet to help break down hair that is safe to give him on a fairly regular basis to prevent hair-balls/blockages? 

I saw on the House Rabbit Society page “give petroleum laxatives during a heavy molt or if synthetics have been swallowed.”  Any suggestions on what petroleum laxative they may be referring to?  And isn’t there something that could be diet supplemented instead?

For his current diet, he gets unlimited Timothy hay, and lots of green-leaf lettuce, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, dandelion, and broccoli.  For treats he’ll get a couple “Kaytee yogurt dipped timothy hay” treats before we head to bed (he’s usually up playing a bit longer than us). Once or twice a week he gets a small nibble of my apples. So far he seems to have a very happy little system and produces lots of poops.  I just wanted to present this question before we have any issues.

 

[{Alli}]

I’m not the most educated about preventing hair balls but depending on the length of fur of your rabbit, if you’re grooming them daily it shouldn’t be a problem. Of course you’ll have to groom them more when they’re shedding but it’s better to take time to groom them rather then them having blockages. Like you said, they will swallow some fur but if they have hay in their cage 24/7 it should help break the small pieces of fur down. If I were you I’d vary his veggies a bit Broccoli can cause gas and dandelion and parsley have a lot of calcium which means if you give it daily, there is higher risk of bladder stones forming. I mean you can give him parsley and dandelion and broccoli, etc once a week or something but every day might be too much. What are the Kaytee Yogurt Dipped Timothy Hay you’re talking about? Is it like yogurt drops?

[Sarita]

Rabbits don’t get hairballs like cats…I highly recommend you read the article I am linking by Dr. Susan Brown, “Sluggish Motility in the GI Tract” from the House Rabbit Society website:

http://rabbit.org/sluggish-motility-in-the-gastrointestinal-tract-2/

Nope, no petroleum laxatives – very old fashioned idea and not recommended nowadays.

I think your current diet is just fine – broccoli should just be a small part of the diet – it does not cause gas as rabbits have a different GI tract than we do.

[Cottontail]

Thanks for the input Alli.   I am working on expanding his variety a little bit, but I have been doing it pretty slowly.  The broccoli he gets is more of a salad topper, as he will forsake all other greens until it is gone; so it is definitely the least of his daily greens.  As for the Katytee treats; we got them from Petsmart, and they are basically timothy hay pellets with strawberry/blueberry yogurt coatings.  He comes running when he hears the bag, but he doesn’t get a lot of them.  Usually after having his little snacks he’s off to nibbling his timothy before tearing through the hallway and playing with the blinds in the living room.

 

  And thank you Sarita!  I was worried about hairball-blockages upsetting his digestion, but that article is very informative!    I am also relieved to see that petroleum is not recommended.  It unnerved  me, the idea of introducing that to the digestive tract if not necessary.  I made sure to save a copy of the article for my husband to read when he gets home, too.

[JackRabbit]

I think the article may say something like this, but plenty of fresh hay, fresh water, serving salads wet, along with extra grooming during molts, should keep your bunny healthy, happy and well hydrated and reduce the chance of excess fur adding to tummy issues.

[Author]

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