Thoughts on laxatone?? (Hairball treatments)

[Ella]

I have trouble brushing my bunny. It is obvious that he is shedding and he grooms all day long but when I go to brush him, I get very little hair. I have about 5 different brushes and most of them don’t really work. He is also pretty squirmy. I worry that my lack of successful grooming is the reason for his current stasis (so that’s got me feeling like a terrible bunny mom). I am hoping to do my best to brush him WAY more. I have a brush with rubber bristles that seems to work best. 

My vet suggested laxatone or similar cat hairball treatments. It was suggested everyday during a shed and then once a week as maintenance. I very much trust my vet, I think he is amazing. However, I have read some really negative things about giving this stuff to buns! 

Anybody use treatments like this for their bunnies? 

Like I said, I trust my vet but using this stuff makes me very nervous! 

[tobyluv]

It’s my understanding that using Laxatone or Petromalt to prevent or break up hairballs in rabbits is old school thinking, and that it’s no longer recommended. For one thing, I believe it was found not to work. I don’t know if it actually has any bad side effects or not. Also old school thinking is giving pineapple or papaya. The only thing I see recommended now is to make sure that a rabbit eats plenty of hay.

I know that a lot of people recommend the Hairbuster comb and some people really like the Furminator, although you do have to be careful with that one. I’ve also wondered if those grooming gloves work well for rabbits. I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews on drsfostersmith.com for one (the Love Glove) from cat owners, and they do sell them on rabbit supply websites, so they’re evidently good for rabbits too.  I don’t know if you’ve tried any of those.

[Author]

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