Shedding and molting
The most common cause of rabbit hair loss is shedding. While some rabbits shed every 3-4 months, other rabbits shed year-round. During shedding cycles, a pet rabbit can lose large tufts of fur at a time. This makes its coat appear patchy and uneven. The House Rabbit Society recommends owners brush their rabbits several times a day during the shedding process to help remove loose fur. Regular brushing, especially during shedding, decreases the likelihood that a pet rabbit will ingest loose fur and develop a dangerous intestinal obstruction.
Continuous humidity in your Pet Rabbit
Certain health conditions can cause a rabbit’s fur to remain saturated and moist, which can lead to hair loss. Rabbits, dental problems, such as abscessed molars or molar spurs, drool heavily. As the saliva saturates the chin, it causes the hair to fall out. Likewise, urinary tract disorders that continually cause urine leakage can also lead to hair loss around a bunny’s hind legs, tail, and feet. If your pet rabbit is showing signs of hair loss in these areas, contact your vet to discuss treatment options.
Infections and parasites
Rabbits are susceptible to a variety of parasites that, if left untreated, can contribute to hair loss. Ringworm, a fungal infection that causes crusty skin and red lesions, can lead to hair loss around the nose, mouth, and feet. Mite infestations also lead to hair loss. Ear mites can cause an extremely painful condition called ear chancre, which can lead to hair loss in a rabbit’s ears. Skin mites can cause large patches of hair loss anywhere on a pet rabbit. Veterinarians can prescribe topical creams and oral antibiotics to treat these conditions.
Pulling the skin of your Pet Rabbit
It is not uncommon for pet rabbits to pull out their own hair. A pregnant rabbit about to give birth pulls hair from her chest, belly, and sides to build a nest for her babies. Also, they can experience a false pregnancy and start an unaltered doe by pulling out their fur and building a nest despite not being pregnant. Other causes for intentional skin pulling include boredom and/or overgrooming.
