12-10-2005, 08:02 AM
Is there anything you can do to alleviate my rabbit from shedding so much? He\'s in the house now because it\'s too cold for him outside but there is rabbit hair everywhere. Any suggestions? Thank you!
12-10-2005, 08:02 AM
12-10-2005, 08:24 AM
Did you recently move your rabbit indoors? It is my experience that most houses run at a temp that is a little on the high side. When you move a rabbit that was previously housed outdoors to the house, they are essentially dropped instantly into Spring (or Summer), hence the shedding.
I don\'t know where you live, but as long as rabbits are protected from drafts and precipitation, it would have to get awfully cold (well below zero), to really bother them. Heat is the rabbit killer. But...it\'s not a good idea for your bunny to come in, then out, so I would recommend two things:
The increased protein will help your rabbit through the molt faster. You can increase the protein by either gradually changing the diet to a higher protein level formulation (18%) or give a pinch per day of a high protein supplement such as Manna Mar, Animax, Calf Builder, etc...
You can remove excess fur by moistening your hands and rubbing your rabbit\'s fur against and with the grain until your hands are dry. Repeat this process two or three or more times per session (2 or 3 sessions per day).
Also, while shedding, it is important to provide your rabbit with a good grass or timothy hay at least 2 or 3 times per week to help prevent fur block, which can occur when a lot of shedding is going on.
Hope this helps.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
I don\'t know where you live, but as long as rabbits are protected from drafts and precipitation, it would have to get awfully cold (well below zero), to really bother them. Heat is the rabbit killer. But...it\'s not a good idea for your bunny to come in, then out, so I would recommend two things:
- Up the protein in your rabbit\'s diet
- Groom your rabbit two or three times per day
The increased protein will help your rabbit through the molt faster. You can increase the protein by either gradually changing the diet to a higher protein level formulation (18%) or give a pinch per day of a high protein supplement such as Manna Mar, Animax, Calf Builder, etc...
You can remove excess fur by moistening your hands and rubbing your rabbit\'s fur against and with the grain until your hands are dry. Repeat this process two or three or more times per session (2 or 3 sessions per day).
Also, while shedding, it is important to provide your rabbit with a good grass or timothy hay at least 2 or 3 times per week to help prevent fur block, which can occur when a lot of shedding is going on.
Hope this helps.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
12-12-2005, 02:31 PM
12-13-2005, 05:53 AM
Thanks to you both for the advice. I live in Southwestern NH where it gets rather cold so I wasn\'t sure about leaving him outside for the winter. This may be an option for us next winter provided I get the supplies you mentioned (water bottle, hay, etc). I will try the extra protein for now and groom him to get through this winter season with him. We now have a whole year to figure out some sort of shelter for next winter. So they stay out 24/7 in the winter and that is OK? Where can I get a heated dog dish?
Again, thanks for all the help! My little guy appreciates it!
Again, thanks for all the help! My little guy appreciates it!
12-13-2005, 11:42 AM
You\'re welcome.
Yes, my rabbits do great and always have no matter where we lived. You can get a heated dog dish at most larger pet supply stores. Barring that, though it is extra work, you can give the rabbits warm water several times a day.
I had too many rabbits to be able to do the heated dish thing and in Northern Arizona, we had no power, so this would not have been possible anyway. I thawed my bunnies\' water each morning and refilled with warm water in the evening. In Utah, the water would refreeze during the day, so I would give warm water mid-day also.
My rabbits continued to breed and raise good litters during the winter, so I am confident they were getting adequate water. When rabbits (or any animal) is under physical stress, the first thing to be sacrificed is reproduction.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Yes, my rabbits do great and always have no matter where we lived. You can get a heated dog dish at most larger pet supply stores. Barring that, though it is extra work, you can give the rabbits warm water several times a day.
I had too many rabbits to be able to do the heated dish thing and in Northern Arizona, we had no power, so this would not have been possible anyway. I thawed my bunnies\' water each morning and refilled with warm water in the evening. In Utah, the water would refreeze during the day, so I would give warm water mid-day also.
My rabbits continued to breed and raise good litters during the winter, so I am confident they were getting adequate water. When rabbits (or any animal) is under physical stress, the first thing to be sacrificed is reproduction.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com