A bit like cats, rabbits are great at keeping themselves clean. By licking their fluffy coats, they ingest hair which means their stomach always contains a bit of hair. This hair normally goes through their digestive system without any problems.

You may even see little bits of hair in your bunny’s poop! But if your furry friend is swallowing a large amount of hair, it can cause problems in their gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). If you’re wondering if rabbits can get hairballs (also known as trichobezoars or wool block), then you’ve come to the right place.

What Causes Rabbit Hairballs?

A rabbit’s digestive system is designed to have food constantly moving through it. Any disruptions or blockages to this is called gastrointestinal stasis. If GI stasis occurs, hairballs can be a problem. If rabbits ingest too much hair or the hair in their stomach becomes dehydrated it accumulates and can form hairballs. 

Your bunny may have long hair which means more hair is being ingested than their digestive tract can cope with, this often happens in long-haired breeds like the Angora or Cashmere.

Some rabbits also moult a lot and for long periods. This can be caused by sudden changes in temperature or if your bunny is poorly or stressed. If your rabbit gets ‘stuck in moult’ they’re likely to ingest more hair than normal.

If your bunny gets bored or stressed this can also trigger excessive grooming or hair chewing. Illness, pain and stress can also cause your bunny to not eat or drink as much as they should. All of these can cause GI stasis and in turn an accumulation of hair to form in the digestive tract forming hairballs.

Prevention is the name of the game when it comes to rabbit hairballs!

How to Prevent Hairballs in Rabbits?

Rabbit hairball prevention is so important but is very simple too! The main things for a rabbit owner to focus on include:

• A healthy diet: A high fibre diet consisting of grass, hay and leafy green and veg is essential for your rabbit. Their proper diet mix should be least 70% hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and veg, and a small amount of commercial pelleted food. Avoid cereal mixes and veg like carrots which are high in sugar, as rabbits tend to be selective and only eat their favourite bits!
• Exercise: this is also extremely important. Your bunny should get at least 4 hours of exercise every day to encourage normal digestion.
• Regular grooming: if you have a long-haired rabbit, daily grooming will reduce the amount of hair they ingest. Daily grooming at times of moult is also a must! Even if your rabbit doesn’t have particularly long hair, regular grooming will prevent the amount of hair your rabbit swallows.
• Reducing stress: a happy bunny will have a happy tummy. Minimise any stressful events like sudden changes in their environment, the introduction or loss of a companion, vet visits, etc.
• Keep an eye out for illness or pain: illness or conditions like dental disease can cause pain and will prevent your bunny for eating and drinking normally.

What Are the Signs of Rabbit Hairballs?

Hairballs accumulate over time, so problems usually develop over a period of days or weeks. If your bunny has started eating and drinking less, they’ll produce less droppings. The rabbit hair will mix with their stomach contents. You'll notice their poo may be smaller, harder or strung together with hair that's passed through the digestive system.

You may notice your rabbit is less energetic and they may start to grind their teeth because of tummy pain. If a hairball has become big enough to cause a blockage, your rabbit could deteriorate quickly. If your rabbit can’t poo, stops eating, collapses or seems to be in a lot of pain, this should be treated as an emergency.

A rabbits’ digestive system is designed to have food constantly moving through it. Any disruptions or blockages can lead to life threatening problems very quickly. So, if you notice any changes in your rabbit’s eating habits, contact your vet immediately.

How to Treat Hairballs in Rabbits?

If your rabbit has been admitted to your veterinary hospital for hairball treatment, the first thing they’ll be given is fluid therapy to rehydrate them. They may also be syringe fed (or fitted with a feeding tube), given pain killers and special drugs to get their digestive tract moving again.

Your vet will also tempt your bunny to eat by offering them plenty of hay, grass and veg. Tests to find out why your rabbit has developed hairballs may also be needed. These may include x-rays to check for any musculoskeletal problems like arthritis, and dental issues. Blood tests and a thorough history may also help your vet work out if stress has been a factor.

If medical management doesn’t resolve the hairball, or if it’s causing a critical blockage, surgery may be the only option. Surgery is risky but may be your bunny’s only option for survival. Your vet will discuss everything with you to work out the best treatment for your rabbit.

Hairballs are a consequence of gastrointestinal stasis, a lack of gut movement. This along with other dietary and husbandry factors can lead to the formation of hairballs. Prevention is the name of the game.

If you notice any signs of GI stasis or a blockage this could be a hairball which may well be a bunny emergency. Call you vet without delay!

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

Here at Everypaw, we want to help you keep your bunny healthy and in tip top shape. So, when it comes to your young rabbit’s care, Everypaw’s Rabbit Insurance could be just the cover to look after your little thumper.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Lapis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.