Clumps of fur in cage? New bunny owner *Resolved*

[GarfyTheLop]

Hello! I have a new bunny, he’s 10 weeks old and we’ve had him for two weeks. 

Little background info, he’s gone from being an outdoor rabbit at the breaders to an indoor rabbit with us.

He’s very happy, flops frequently, binkys often. Drinking and eating fine..

But the last few days hes been leaving clumps of fur in his cage… should I be worried?

I’ve attached a photo of all the bits I found last night. 

[Wick & Fable]

He could be molting, which results in a large influx of shed hair; however, typically the rabbit ingests the hair while grooming, so it comes out through the poops. Have you seen any poops that are oddly shaped/strung together with fur/have a fur poof sticking out of them?

Rabbits can pull their fur out in frustration as well. He could be very stressed about the new environment. Are you able to check him for bald spots?

You will need to groom a rabbit every day during a molt to lessen hair ingestion, because it can block up their system and cause them to become very ill.

What is his environment and set-up like? How often are you interacting with him/does he have time on his own?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[GarfyTheLop]

Thanks for getting back to me!

He’s had a couple of poops strung together like a string of pearls yes. 

I’ve checked him when I’ve given him some pats and brushes – which he loves and he has no bald patches!

I am brushing him every day currently, when I get home from work  

He has a large cage and x pen which is connected and open all day for him to use, whenever we are home he’s welcome to the bunny proofed living room. He binkys around and acts pretty happy. 

I probably spend 4-6 hours a day with him in the week, my boyfriend is usually home when I’m not. And on weekends he’s out 6+ hours. 

[Wick & Fable]

So on one-hand, it’s good that you’re seeing those string of pearl poops, because it means everything is getting through his system. On the other hand, it’s bad because it shows he’s ingesting enough fur to make such an impact. Now rabbits will naturally always ingest some fur because they are such dynamite groomers, but especially during a molt, it’s important to lessen the load for them.

Continue to brush daily as you have been. Following a grooming session, it’s good just to use your hands and tug at a few places to make sure you have gotten everything. Those furs in your photo could just be surface fur that flies off him while he’s grooming, in which case that’s a lot and longer/more frequent grooming sessions may be required. Personally, brushes have not been as effective for Wick; I just use my hands and pull out fur tufts, though this comes after having great familiarity with his fur shading, shape, and length, to the point that I can readily identify where there is and is not loose fur.

What breed is your rabbit? Some breeds/fur lengths dictate particular needs for grooming (i.e. brush over comb, trims needed, etc.)

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[GarfyTheLop]

Thought I would give you an update:

Yesterday he stopped pooping all together so I thought you know what, I’m just going to take him to the vet. 

Long story short, he has major problems with his teeth so much so when he’s a bit bigger we’re going to have to get his top and bottom two removed. Right now he’s had them filed down to help him (I’ve attached a photo, sorry if it’s a little graphic)

Poor baby must of been in so much pain and was cleaning himself and the fur was getting stuck.. hence him pulling it out!

Anyway he’s back to his funny self now, running around like a crazy – we love him so much. He’s 10 weeks 3 days, a black and white mini lop Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! 

[Wick & Fable]

How much hay is he eating? It’s definitely good those were trimmed. Typically eating hay helps keep those in check. If possible, you should monitor their growth by checking the mouth once a week.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[ThorBunny]

Glad he got his teeth taken care of! Did he have malocclusion of his teeth? The misalignment can be due to genetic factors rather than hay eating practices, although eating hay is always good!

We had a bun in our care for a few months who had his front teeth removed due to malocclusion. They get along just fine with no front teeth, plus you can rest easy your furniture and walls wont be chewed

The only different thing was we had to cut up his veggies into bite sized chunks.

[GarfyTheLop]

Yes! It was due to malocclusion and it was genetic!

He is now a hay eating machine and doing just fine, teeth will be checked again by the vet in two weeks.

Little guy is very happy, binkying around and *touch wood* litter trained

He’s been such a great little bun! We’re very glad we got him. 

[sarahthegemini]

Yay, that’s a great outcome

[Wick & Fable]

What a great update, and odd timing. Wick is going into the vet later today and we’ll be bringing up the topic of incisor removal because of his misalignment.

It’s great to a hear a lovely recovery story

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[GarfyTheLop]

Thanks everyone! 

[Muchelle]

So glad to know the little guy’s doing fine!

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi Garfy. Great photo. Wow poor bunny….. well done for having him checked out !! Now you can keep an eye on him. Lucky bunbun

[GarfyTheLop]

Thanks everyone. Last night he got so relaxed when I was giving him a head rub that he let me check his teeth – they still looked at a good length and he’s showing no signs of pain which is perfect must be all that hay munching! 

He’ll be back at the vets next week for a check up and to get his first round of jabs – I hope he doesn’t hate me too much for that! 

[Vienna Blue in France]

Oh he will !!! LOL but he’ll soon be won round with a nice and soecial “post-vet” treat.

[GarfyTheLop]

Hi everyone, just thought I would give you an update as Garf went to the vets last night

He had his first jab and a general once over – best news is, his teeth were perfect! Even the vet was taken back.

So yeah! All good news and little one is fine

[Heaven]

Aw so good to hear! Glad he’s doing well <3

[Author]

Messages