Rabbit Changing Colors

Question
I got my rabbit she was grey and since the season's changing, her fur has turned lighter and whiter. What's happening? Is she going to turn completely white? Is she shedding? Is she turning old?

Oh and I have another question about her. Usually she sticks her butt to the side of the cage and pees onto the floor is she a boy? And how can we stop it from happening? Is it normal?
Thanx!

Answer
Hi Vanessa,

I don't normally hear of domestic rabbits, when they shed a coat, becoming lighter or darker, depending on the time of the year.  The only thing that comes to mind is the snowshoe hare, who in fall starts getting a lighter, white coat to blend in with snow, and then in the spring gets a brown coat for the warmer seasons.

Rabbits shed four times a year, and she may have started her fall shed now.  If she's losing a lot of hair, she's probably started her shed.  The only thing that could turn her hair white would be a very traumatic, stressful event (this would be extremely rare, so I doubt this is what happened).

As for the peeing, no, females lift their butt and tail like you are describing to pee.  Either she's being sassy or she is wanting to mark that area.  If she isn't spayed, consider having her spayed by a good rabbit vet to reduce or eliminate this behavior.

www.rabbit.org\vets

is the House Rabbit Society recommended rabbit vet page you can visit to find a good rabbit vet in your area.

Lee