Moisturize Feet?

Question
QUESTION: The bottom of my rabbits feet underneath a fur flaps at the back is missing fur and appears to be dried out should i moisturize it and with what ?
And also my bunny is older(like 5-6 years old i am guessing i don't remember exactly) what could i give him to give him a hyper boost? (like foods and things that make rabbits have more energy and or hyper)

ANSWER: Dear Marc,

Your bunny may be courting sore hocks, which can result from improper walking surface or from painful joint problems making him walk in an abnormal way.  To temporarily protect his feet, please find the instructions here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html

But it's time for a trip to the vet to see if he has arthritis or other problem making him posture incorrectly fostering sore hocks.

As far as his energy is concerned, a vet visit will tell you if all is well.  It might be that his feet are painful, and he doesn't want to walk on them.  Or he might have another health problem causing him to have less energy.  Special foods are not going to fix this.  Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

for more information.

If he just has a quiet personality, then at least the vet can rule out any health problems.  Find a rabbit-savvy vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: he has had the fur missing for ages i just wanted to know if you recommend anything to moisturize the bottom of the feet is anything recommended
Thnks

Answer
Dear Marc,

Actually, it's better to toughen the skin on the feet, rather than soften it.  Your bunny needs protection there, and softening the skin might make them more susceptible to open sores.  If you go barefoot a lot, the soles of your feet develop calluses.  Same for bunny.  That's better than soft, inflamed soles, as long as the calluses don't become so hard that they begin to crack.

Some people suggest holding used, lukewarm tea bags (regular tea) against the bunny's naked sole areas to help tan and toughen the skin.  I've never tried it, but it might be helpful if bun has trouble with sores.

Hope this helps.

Dana