How to remove loose fur from my rabbit's dewlap without her attacking?

Poor Fluffy, Rabbits can have a molt where they will shed the hair almost like a dog would. However, if the coat appears abnormal or you feel like she is painful I would recommend taking her to a vet for a good exam. Rabbits can also get parasites, fungal disease and bacterial disease of the skin that can affect how the coat grows and might be causing some pain when the hair is removed. hope that helps

Thanks for your question about Puku. I didn’t see what breed she is, but that could make a difference. For example, Angoras require grooming on a daily basis due to the large amounts of hair that they grow. It also can be temperature dependent - longer haired rabbits in warm climates will shed a great deal. Of course, there are also nutritional and medical conditions that can be related to hair loss as well. An ideal rabbit diet is made up of 80% grass based hays that are of high quality, one tablespoon of Timothy pellets per 5 lbs of body weight, and 1 cup of leafy greens per 5 pounds of body weight. Greens examples include red and green leaf lettuce, romaine, endive, escarole, cilantro, parsley, mint, dill, basil, and radicchio. I don’t recommend any fruits, seeds, milk products, or other carbohydrate treats for rabbits. I would recommend considering an examination for Puku. They can evaluate the skin and look at hairs under the microscope to ensure she doesn’t have any issues there. They may also recommend blood work to evaluate her systemic health. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

A change in weather can cause increased shedding. Other causes include parasites, infection or stress. If the shedding persists and results in bald patches, have Fluffy examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis. In the meantime, clean the cage and provide fresh bedding. Make sure she isn't too hot or too cold. Look her over for redness, sores or dry skin.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I think your question got cut off, but I believe the neck fat you are referring to is the "dewlap", which is normal in female bunnies. This is where they can pull out extra fur to help make a nest if they were to have babies. It is perfectly normal. However, obese bunnies or ones with a very large dewlap may have difficulty eating and grooming themselves. They may also be more prone to skin infections of the area, so it is important to help your bunny with grooming the dewlap if she is having difficulty doing so herself. I hope this helps, and that Fluffy is doing well!

Thanks for reaching out about Bun Bun. Would describe it as flakey skin or loose? Loose lends one to believe the skin is sloughing. Flakey skin could be due to parasites, an infection, skin inflammation (multiple causes). Another concern might be myxomatosis, which is usually transmitted via a mosquito bite.. Either way, a veterinary visit should be scheduled. Good luck.

If the skin looks normal where the hair is missing then it is possible that the other bunny is pulling it out OR Snow White could be self mutilating as well. Also mites and ringworm are common in rabbits as well. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. In the meantime please practice good hygiene after handling her as ring worm is contagious to people as well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello, and thank you for your question. Did you just get Fluffy recently? Most rabbits are not accustomed to being picked up if they haven't been handled from a young age. I suspect she wags her tail in an attempt to squirm away. I would take it very slow, and not attempt to pick her up if she is uncomfortable. Start by gently petting her, offering her treats and speaking to her softly. Eventually, you may be able to put her in your lap. The last step is to get her used to being picked up. Always support her bum with one hand, and support her back by putting it against your chest. Rabbits have very strong legs, and can injure their back or legs if they kick out in a panic. Taking your time to get Fluffy used to you will help get her comfortable with you and avoid any injuries. I hope this helps! Good luck with Fluffy!