Color of Urine

Question
Hi, I own a male netherland dwarf, he's about 1 year old, and is neutered. I noticed yesterday while he was going pee in he's litter that he lifted hes bum and peed over the corner of his littler, which I know some rabbits do, but he has never done. While I was cleaning his cage today, I took out his litter and under it was a huge puddle of red/brown urine(more so dark red). He has been shedding a lot lately so I was told by the vet to feed him "Petromalt" to help with the hairballs, it is a brown kind of toothpaste like substance. So I am wondering if that could be why? And if so is it a problem and I should not be feeding him that? Or is this a greater problem?

Answer
Dear Jamie,

Rabbit urine often oxidizes to a dark brown/orange color, so the color isn't something to worry about.  But the stinkiness is!  You can prevent this by using Feline Pine or other pelleted sawdust litter not only inside the litterbox, but around the edges of it on the floor.  It will absorb any overshoot and prevent the floor from becoming permanently damaged.

Please find a different vet.  Rabbits do not get "hairballs" and Petromalt will do more harm than good.  That vet learned rabbit medicine in 1980 and it doesn't sound as if s/he has been keeping up with the times.  Please read:

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

If the bunny is shedding, the proper treatment is:

1.  Groom well daily with a fine comb that gently pulls out the loose hair.

2.  Rub bunny with damp hands, back and forth.  The loose hair will stick to your hands.  Rub your palms together to remove the hair, then repeat until most of the loose hair is gone from bunny.  (This can take a while)

3.  Provide unlimited grass (timothy) hay, lots of fresh, wet greens, and fresh water in a heavy bowl to promote fiber and liquid ingestion.  This will keep any ingested hair pushed through without incident.

You can find a more experienced, rabbit-savvy vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps!

Dana