'Hair Ball'

[LaraFarah]

Hello.

One of my rabbits, Darcy, was in for a dental today and during the op, the vet have found a 'hair ball' down his throat. He is now fine, he ate hay, pellets, some herbs as well as drank some water.

However, I would like to try and prevent it from ever happening again.

I already brush him and Pip for half of hour a day but I can do some more (which I will) but is there any herb or something that can help thing pass?

Pip is a giant so is much bigger than Darcy and he does groom her quite a lot but she does groom him too.

 

[tonibun]

Hi there. Lots of hay helps to move fur through the gut.

 

[Bobbybobtail]

One of my buns had this before and the fur was the colour of his brothers so it had been caused by grooming his brother in our case. I guess grooming them both and making sure they eat lots of hay will help. I was also advised to give pineapple juice but not sure if this is correct- a bunny friend told me, not a vet.

 

[Vegan_Bunny]

Pineapple does help to break fur up in the guts but I'm not sure if giving them a little bit every day would do more harm than good since it is very sugary. Hope somebody will be able to give you some advice in this. :wave:

 

[parsnipbun]

One of my buns had this before and the fur was the colour of his brothers so it had been caused by grooming his brother in our case. I guess grooming them both and making sure they eat lots of hay will help. I was also advised to give pineapple juice but not sure if this is correct- a bunny friend told me, not a vet.

As I understand it . . . this is actually one of those old wives tales that is not correct for rabbits. Pure fresh real pinneapple has an enzyme which studies show might help break down the sort of greasy accumulations that get stuck around cat hairballs - rabbits do not have that kind of hairball (they do not ingest that kind of foods) and so even real fresh pineapple will not help - and canned or bottled o even 'fresh' packaged juice certainly wont.

 

[cpayne]

I saw a rabbit specialist and asked about the pineapple theory. She said it's rubbish and in fact because it's acidic it's not very good for the rabbit's digestive system. Lots of hay and brushing is the best thing and hopefully lots of water too!

 

[parsnipbun]

I saw a rabbit specialist and asked about the pineapple theory. She said it's rubbish and in fact because it's acidic it's not very good for the rabbit's digestive system. Lots of hay and brushing is the best thing and hopefully lots of water too!

its because its sweet that its not very good . .

but lots of hay and brushing and water is ideal:thumb:

 

[LaraFarah]

Thank you all for your replies.

Darcy already is a great hay eater - he will eat any sort of hay you put in front of him - it is his wife that is fussy! He also does drink often - both from his bottle and bowl. He also like to dip his paws in the bowl when it is warm outside :lol:

I guess that the best way would be to increase the amount of time to brushing Pip and Darcy which I will surely enjoy as they does love their fuss

 

[cpayne]

At least they like brushing. Doughnut puts up with it to a certain extent but I normally do it when she's eating so she doesn't bounce around.

I also read that you could dampen your hands and stroke them as that gets the lose hairs off. I did that but had trouble getting it off my hands then!