Mini Rex shedding

Question
QUESTION: Hi:
We have a 3.5 yr old Mini Rex rabbit, and he just started shedding alot.  We just started him on Dumor rabbit food.  Could the food be causing his shedding problem?
Please let me know... thanks

ANSWER: Hi John

Most likely not.  Almost all mini rex rabbits are shedding this time of year.  Dumor feed is generally good for mini rex rabbits especially if you are feeding him the kind in the blue bag that says show quality.  If you are feeding any feed with over 17% protein the rabbit may shed more than normal but I assure you that he is probably just shedding because it is shedding season.

It is kind of funny that you asked because we have a show coming up in 2 weeks.  I was talking to some of my friends who also show mini rex and between all of us I think we may have 3 rabbits total that are going to be able to be shown.  Out of over 40 mini rex rabbits in my barn right now I have ONE that isn't shedding.  It happens every year at this time.  

It is not a bad idea to give your rabbit extra hay and some extra papaya pills and pineapple during shedding season.  It helps to digest the ingested fur.

Good luck and I hope that all is well

Pam

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

QUESTION: Hi Pam:
Thanks for the information.  Our Mini Rex has never shedded like this before.  He looks like he is "molting", in big clumps.  If you still think this is normal, then how long does this last and where do I get the papaya pills and will canned pineapple work?

Please let me know... thanks

Answer
Hi John

Big clumps can happen.  The best thing to do is use your hands and put a little bit of water on them and rub them on his fur.  It will help get rid of the extra hair.  I do it twice daily.  Just make sure that you don't get the bunny wet you just want your hands to be slightly damp.  It does help but it is very messy so you may want to do it on the outside porch or somewhere that the hair isn't going to be hard to clean.

Canned pineapple will work.  Occasionally they won't eat it but I have found that if I dry it slightly in a food dehydrator for just a few hours to take the extra juice out of it that they love it.  You don't want to dry it to long because the juice is what helps dissolve the hair.  I generally just dry it long enough to make it so it is not so sour.

You can buy papaya pills at GNC or any health food store.  They are made for people and they are completely safe.  You can also use fresh papaya but you have to peel it and again they may not eat it.  If you can't find a health food store that carries it you can buy it online at most cage dealers.  Any store that carries rabbit supplies has it.  I buy mine from a store called KW cages.  

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/RABBITCATALOGWEB.pdf

They are on page 43 of the catalog.  You can also order by calling the 800 number.  It is 1-800-447-CAGE.

The molt will most likely last well into September and occasionally into October.  It just depends on how fast the new hair is growing.  It sounds like your rabbit is in a full molt rather than one where just a few hairs are falling out here and there.  The good thing is that full molts don't last as long.  The bad thing is that they are more stressful for the bunny and they definitely need the extra pineapple and pills.

Good luck and if you need anything else please let me know

Pam