Rabbit shedding

Question
My male dwarf rabbit is shedding in a clumping manner, is it just stress or a medical condition?

Answer
Hello Molly

Rabbits will shed at least once and up to 4 times a year.  It is completely natural.  Make sure that he has plenty of fresh timothy hay to help the ingested hair to digest.  

Unfortunately one of the biggest problems is cage maintenance.  They often shed so much that your barn, house or shed looks like it was attacked by wild animals with hair everywhere.

I am going to attach some sites that may help but be assured that they all go through it and eventually you will learn to live with it.

http://www.ccia.com/public/foxaway/grooming.html

the above photo show a photo of a mini rex that is shedding.  Dwarfs will look a bit different but you get the idea.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze27h5b/id26.html

http://www.sandiegorabbits.org/behavior/dothat.html

I was searching for an article that helps you remove excess hair but unfortunately I can't find it.  Basically you place your bunny securely on a table or somewhere that you can easily reach him.  Spray your hands with a fine mist of water.  Rub the bunny from the head down towards the rear.  Your hands will become covered with hair and you will need to rinse them frequently.  This helps to get rid of the lose hairs.  You can remove any clumps also.

Give your bunny time.  Most rabbits will complete their molt in about 2 or 3 weeks.

I hope this has helped.

Sincerely,

Pam