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pulling out his fur???

S

sarahmarshadlam

Warren Scout
Hello,

I have a question about my sister's rabbit who her & my rabbit have just moved in with us. The lionhead neteured male has quite a small hutch & no mate & she works during the day/out in evening so he is on his own a lot.

Today I have noticed that he has a long patch on his back where it apprears he's been trying to pull out. He's long haired and on this patch the fur isn't missing but like he's bitten it down very short.

I know some animals pull their fur out when they are unhappy - is it likely he is biting his fur because he's lonely/doesn't have enough space?

I don't think it's a parasite/shedding because the fur isn't actually bald, it's like it's just been bitten down very short.

Many thanks, Sarah
 
Thumper pulled out the fur below his neck when we moved his cage to a new location. We returned him to the old location & it grew back!

Maybe it's the new, smaller space...

Good luck!
 
Hi

Thank you for the quick response! He is in the same size cage (which I think is far too small) but as she has split with her bf, they've moved in with us.

Do you think it is probably boredom/lonliness? I#ve suggested getting a mate. He has also started to be really naughty when it's time to go back in his hutch like he doesn't like it?

Many thanks, Sarah
 
Angora rabbits are longcoated, and are prone to chewing and licking their coat when someone new handles them and they are trying to get the scent off them. Its not easy to clean long fur by licking, it just tends to clump together and web, so they tend to chew it off instead.

Alternatively it could be he has mites?
 
hi

Can you see mites? He is groomed regularly, I don't know if this makes a differene with the maulting?

He does seem lonely & I just saw a website that says they can do that when they aren't getting as much attention as they want. His routine has very much changed as his bunny mum isn't actually here much.
 
It would be an idea to get him checked/treated for mites as irritation (itchy skin) can cause them to chew their fur.

It can be a symptom of boredom, although more space an exercise is the best solution for this you can improve things by providing toys and using his food to encourage him to spend more time moving about and looking for the best bits. e.g. hiding his pellets in the hay.

Tam
 
Hi

Ok, I'll get him checked for mites - I think I was getting mixed up with Ticks that are big white things. I can't see anything in the fur but I'd imagine mites are quite small!

But he does seem sad...my Tinker gets constant attention and is very pampered (as a bun should be;) ) and he seems so much happier.

Many thanks, Sarah
 
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