During your journey as a rabbit owner or rabbit homesteader you may notice that your bunny is missing some fur or you may observe your rabbit pulling its own fur. Without doubt you’ll wonder: Rabbits Pulling Fur Out? Why is my rabbit pulling out her hair? Why is my rabbit missing so much hair?
Females about to kindle (give birth) pull some of their fur to make a nest for their babies. Rabbits also naturally molt. Further, they pull out hair due to skin irritations and stress. Additionally, some rabbits barber (or pull the hair of) other rabbits, most often as a sign of dominance.
Below, we’ll discuss why bunnies pull out their fur and what we can do about it!
Rabbits Pulling Fur
If you know you’re rabbits well enough, then you’ll probably be able to figure out why they’re pulling fur. If not due to pregnancy or false pregnancy, then there is another physical or emotional reason.
Once you understand why the rabbit is pulling fur, you can strategize to remedy the situation. This may include calling your vet for ideas and advice.
Here are the most common reasons for rabbits to be pulling fur:
Pregnant Rabbit Pulling Fur for Nest
Pregnant does will pull some of their own fur, typically from their dewlap and belly, just before kindling and use the fur to make or line the nest for their kits. Sometimes they pull what seems like too much fur and sometimes they pull just a little bit.
Sometimes the pregnant doe will pull some fur for the kits’ nest from a companion or a male rabbit.
Pregnant does pulling fur for a nest is normal behavior and nothing to be worried about.
False Pregnancy Rabbit Pulling Fur
Although not pregnant, sometimes a doe thinks she is pregnant and about to kindle, and she will pull some fur for a nest. Interestingly, even spayed does can experience false pregnancy and pull hair for a nest.
The two mostly likely causes of false pregnancy are:
Rabbit Was Mounted: The doe was mounted by a male or even by another female. That mating ritual is sometimes enough for a female to react like she is pregnant.
The mounting may have been an act of dominance and not an attempted mating. It does not matter, the sexual stimulation may make the doe believe she is pregnant.
Rabbit Is Stressed: Stress is a wild card for rabbits. They can react to stress in many unpredictable ways, including false or pseudo-pregnancy. A stressed female, may have hormonal imbalances and may believe she is pregnant.
Symptoms of Rabbit False Pregnancy
The symptoms of rabbit false pregnancy are similar to the symptoms of real pregnancy.
- The doe may become very territorial and aggressive.
- The doe will likely be hungrier and eat more.
The false pregnancy will likely last two to three weeks, with pulling fur and nest making being the final stages of the false pregnancy. Then the doe will go back to being her normal self.
If not breeding, then spaying your female rabbits will help prevent false pregnancies and benefit your female rabbits in a number of ways.
Rabbit Molting
Your rabbit may be pulling hair as part of a seasonal molt. Yes, rabbits do molt.
For more about Rabbits Molting: Do Rabbits Molt?
If it’s a particularly heavy molt, then your rabbit may resort to pulling hair. You can help your rabbit by grooming it with a rabbit brush. Brushing your rabbit is a win-win as it is nice bonding time as well. Please remember that rabbits have very fine and sensitive skin. Use a soft rubber brush to groom your rabbit, in lieu of a firm metal brush.
Brushing out a rabbit molt also means less fur in your rabbit’s mouth, and that means less fur in your rabbit’s sensitive digestive tract. This makes for healthier rabbits and less rabbits pulling fur out.
Rabbit Needs More Fiber
We’ve heard cases of rabbits pulling and eating their fur in an attempt to add fiber to their diet… lots of puns on this one. But seriously, if your rabbit doesn’t have enough fiber, then it may resort to pulling and eating hair. As this becomes a habit, the results will quickly be devastating for your rabbit’s health. Fur does not digest or breakdown in a rabbit’s stomach
Rabbits end up swallowing a little bit of fur as they groom themselves. This small amount of fur will pass through their digestive system and you will likely see it from time to time as “strings” between their poop.
However, ingesting a large amount of fur can cause GI Stasis and life threatening blockages.
Bunny Boredom
A bored bunny may resort to pulling its fur or the fur of another rabbit. If pulling fur becomes a habit, then it can result in serious health issues for your bunny. To curb boredom you can play with your rabbit and introduce some rabbit toys. Appropriate bunny toys can mentally and physically stimulate your rabbit.
Frustrated Bunnies
Similar to boredom, perhaps a form of boredom, frustrated rabbits may also resort to pulling their fur or the fur of another rabbit, such as in a bonded pair.
Again, stimulating activity is the remedy for the bored or frustrated rabbit. A few rabbit toys can help your rabbits stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
Boredom and frustration are closely related. A better solution than providing toys is to find a best friend for your bunny. What we are talking about is known as “bonded pairs”. These are pairs of rabbits who become bonded to each other.
Bonded pairs live a healthier life and are less bored, less frustrated and less stressed. Please note that even bonded pairs need physical space. The hutch, cage or living accommodations need to be plenty big for two rabbits.
Rabbit Barbering
When a rabbit pulls the fur of another rabbit it is called barbering.
Barbering is often a sign of dominance. The dominant rabbit pulls some fur from the subordinate rabbit, asserting dominance.
Sometimes “bully bunnies” barber other bunnies.
Sometimes bored and frustrated rabbits resort to barbering.
Rabbit With Mites
A rabbit with mites or some other skin issue is likely to have itchy skin and may try to get relief by pulling fur. Again, if left untreated, this will escalate to serious complications for your rabbits.
For more on rabbit mites: Why Is My Bunny Losing Hair?
Rabbits Fighting Each Other
When rabbits fight they bite, chase, scratch, kick, body slam and fur literally flies. If your rabbit was in a fight, or perhaps is fighting every day, then it is likely missing some fur and is stressed.
For more on rabbits fighting see: Is It Normal For Rabbits To Fight?
When you identify rabbits that are prone to fight, the best remedy is to physically separate them. Hopefully your rabbit housing situation allows you to place the rabbits in separate spaces.
Daily Rabbit Health and Hygiene
Here at Hobby Farm Heaven we continually promote the concept of conducting daily health and hygiene checks on your rabbits.
These rabbit health and hygiene checks are a win-win in that they deepen your relationship with and knowledge of your rabbit. This benefits both you and your rabbit. These daily checks may include things like:
Grooming Your Rabbit – Softly brush your rabbit to remove loose fur and dirt. Tip: brush your rabbit’s tail and the back of its neck, as these are hard places for your rabbit to reach.
Checking for Growths and Wounds – You can gently run your hand over your rabbit to detect any new bumps, growths, sores or wounds.
Checking for Mites, Fleas, and Other Pests – While grooming your rabbit you can check for pests.
Check Teeth – You can briefly check the condition of your rabbit’s teeth and cheeks.
For more on rabbit teeth see: Rabbit With Teeth Problems
Check Feet & Nails – For more on keeping nails properly trimmed see: How To Keep Rabbits Nails
Diet and Exercise – As always, proper diet and exercise help keep all systems running smoothly. A disciplined diet and daily exercise are probably the two biggest factors in your bunny’s health and happiness.
Regular health and hygiene checks help you catch problems early so that you can nip them in the bud!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To
Why Do Bunnies Pull Out Their Fur?
Why is My Male Rabbit Pulling Out His Fur?
Bucks may pull their fur during a heavy molting or because they are bored or stressed.
Why Is Doe Pulling Fur After Giving Birth?
A doe may continue to pull fur after kindling to add more fur to the nest. Within reason, this is not a problem. The rabbit’s natural and evolutionary inclination to provide a warm and safe nest for her kits is very strong.
Video about Rabbit Pulling Out Hair!
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This is the best video we’ve seen for explaining how the sensitive rabbit gut and how ingesting fur is dangerous for your rabbit.
The Rabbit Gut: Anatomy, Physiology, And Nutrition (House Rabbit Society Conference)
Final Thoughts on Rabbits Pulling Fur Out
There is a broad range of reasons why a rabbit may be pulling some of its fur, or the fur of a companion.
Some of the reasons are healthy, such as making a nest for kits, and grooming a heavy molt.
Some of the reasons are not healthy, such as barbering or bunny bullying, as a result of stress, or infestation of pests.
Daily health and hygiene checks coupled with a disciplined diet and proper exercise are the best habits for keeping your bunnies healthy and happy.
If you can’t figure out why your rabbit is pulling fur, or you can’t seem to remedy the situation, then by all means call your vet for a consultation. Your vet will be able to evaluate and then provide helpful advice and guidance.