All About
Hairballs
in Pet Rabbits
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Hairballs in Pet Rabbits
Hairballs or wool block in pet rabbits are fairly common
and should always be a consideration when a rabbit is
lethargic and not eating.
When a large amount of hair is swallowed during grooming
it can form a ball in the stomach and form an obstruction if it
doesn’t pass through the intestinal tract. Rabbits are unusual in
that they can’t vomit.
The problem is not necessarily an accumulation of
hair in the stomach, but rather a decreased motility (movement)
of the gastrointestinal tract leading to the dehydration
and impaction of the material in the stomach and sometimes
also the cecum.
Signs of Hairballs and Intestinal Obstruction include:
Rabbits will eat less over a period of days or weeks.
Eventually rabbits stop eating altogether.
The waste droppings become smaller, then stop altogether.
Rabbits will refuse to eat pellets but will chew the paper on the
bottom of the cage, the woodwork or wall board which are all
sources of the fiber they are craving.
Some rabbits have periodic soft, pudding-like stools prior to a
complete loss of appetite.
Depressed or lethargic, may be reluctant to move or appear
bloated
Rabbit may make grunting noises or continually grind the teeth in
response to abdominal pain
Eventually the rabbit will go into shock and collapse
Treating Hairballs in Pet Rabbits
Diagnosis can be made by taking X-rays of the stomach/GI tract.
Early treatment by your vet is recommended to avoid the
possibility of surgery.
Treatment includes injection of drugs that alter intestinal
motility and fluid therapy.
Preventing Hairballs in Pet Rabbits
Feeding rabbits a diet high in hay (fiber) helps prevent
hairballs and other intestinal problems.
A healthy diet for a pet rabbit includes large amounts of both
digestible and indigestible fiber, has a low to moderate
carbohydrate level and contains adequate moisture. A diet
consisting of grass hay and green foods works well. A diet of
highly concentrated carbohydrates and low indigestible fat levels
can promote abnormal GI motility. Commercial rabbit pellets,
commercial rabbit treats and high carbohydrate foods such as
grains and legumes are examples of dietary items that are too
high in carbohydrates and too low in indigestible fiber
When rabbits are fed these foods the result is a slower than
normal GI motility.
Although diet is the most common cause of gastric problems,
any condition that changes GI tract motility can result
in this disease. This would include chronic high levels of stress
in the environment, postsurgical adhesions, ingestion of toxins
or other foreign material, chronic dehydration (lack of access to
clean water), painful conditions and dental disease and other
systemic disease that causes alterations in GI tract motility such
as liver or kidney disease.
Appropriate amounts of liquid are important in the rabbit diet to
promote proper mixing and sorting of intestinal contents
in the lower intestine and cecum.
Daily brushing is also essential for removing excess dead
hair and your vet may recommend using cat hairball medicine
on a regular basis.
See Also:
Index of All Rabbit Care & Bunny
Fun Stuff
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