What causes hair loss and thinning on rabbits?
Alopecia is either complete fur loss or patchy/thinning fur. Rabbits most commonly suffer with patchy alopecia. Most conditions that cause alopecia also cause other symptoms and these other symptoms may help your vet reach a diagnosis. Keep an eye out for: Bald patches. Fleas, mites and lice are all parasites that can live on rabbits.
What should I do if my rabbit is losing his fur?
The veterinarian will conduct a full examination of your rabbit in order to determine what is causing his hair loss. When examining your rabbit, the veterinarian will look for signs of what could be causing your rabbit to lose his fur. He will pay attention to the type of hair loss, along with the following:
Why do rabbits pull hair out of their fur?
In some cases alopecia may be the result of a behavioral problem known as “barbering.” This is where a dominant rabbit will chew or pull the hair out of its fellow cage-mate; hair loss predominantly appears on the flanks.
What does alopecia mean in terms of rabbits?
‘Alopecia’ is the scientific word for hair loss. Alopecia can develop in patches or as thinning fur and is a symptom of many different conditions. Some causes of alopecia in rabbits are perfectly natural, but some are not, and require treatment Stress – Stress is a very common cause of alopecia in rabbits.
Is it normal for rabbits to lose hair?
Some breeds tend to lose their hair in chunks when they shed which can be a bit of a worry but this is perfectly normal. Dominant rabbits will pull out chunks of hair from their companions and this is typically on their flanks which is a behavioural problem known as “barbering”.
What causes rabbits to lose hair (fur)?
What Are the Causes Abnormal Fur Loss in Rabbits? Parasite Problems. Sarcoptic Mange. Ear Canker. Fur Mites. Tropical Rat Mites. Burrowing Mange Mite. Ringworm Fungus. Dental Problems. Urine Burn. Pododermatitis (Sore Hock) Pododermatitis (sore hock) is common in rabbits that have been housed on wire flooring, or hard, wet or rough surfaces.
Why do rabbits lose hair?
Psychological Factors: It is not surprising that rabbits have also psychological issues and behavioral disorders that may cause the hair loss in them. A major cause of hair loss in rabbits is due to “barbering”- a form of grooming in which a dominant rabbit repeatedly prick the hair of its fellow cage-mate and hair loss predominantly appears on the flanks.
Why do rabbits bite their hair?
Rabbits may bite their fur off because they are stressed, as a nesting behavior, or due to a lack of fiber . But, it could also be a sign that you aren’t grooming them enough, or that they have parasites. Identifying the cause of your bunny barbering will help you take steps to stop the behavior.
Why is my rabbit losing fur around the neck?
One major symptom of stress in rabbits is hair loss which can affect certain parts of the rabbit. Some may have a rabbit losing fur around their neck, others might see hair loss on the back or under the chin of a rabbit.
Why does my Dwarf Angora rabbit lose its hair?
In some cases alopecia may be the result of a behavioral problem known as “ barbering .” This is where a dominant rabbit will chew or pull the hair out of its fellow cage-mate; hair loss predominantly appears on the flanks. Alopecia can occur because of normal shedding patterns, especially in breeds such as the Dwarf, Miniature Lop, and Angora.
Why is my rabbit shedding?
Some rabbits seem to shed on a nearly constant basis. This is often due to poor breeding, such as breeding rabbits who are closely related. Inbreeding can interrupt the rabbit’s normal response to changes in day length that trigger shedding.
