Do Rabbits Shed More When They Live Inside?

If you intend to keep a rabbit as a pet in your home, you can get a dog pen, a cage that is large enough for the pet to move around in, or simply allow your pet to live free in the house. With a rabbit in the house, you will have to deal with shedding. Rabbits may have different coat lengths, but regardless of their coat type, all rabbits shed regularly and exchange their old coat with a new one.

  1. Normal Shedding in Rabbits

    • Shedding, also known as molting in rabbits, is a natural process that happens every three months and may last between two and six weeks. Every alternate shedding is typically lighter, but the following shedding is heavy. Rabbits may have bald spots during shedding season, but typically, the fur grows back within two weeks. You will notice your rabbit is shedding when you play with your pet or brush it. If your pet has long hair, the hair is more visible, but long-haired rabbits don't shed more than short-haired ones.

    Shedding in Indoor vs. Outdoor Rabbits

    • Indoor rabbits shouldn't normally shed more than outdoor rabbits. However, some rabbits shed more due to room temperature variations. If you increase the room temperature, this can trigger molting. Rabbits kept in the house often shed more during winter months, when the heating is on. To prevent excessive shedding keep the rabbit's room temperature constant throughout the year.

    Excessive Shedding

    • If you notice that your rabbit sheds more than normally and has bald spots for extended periods or itchy skin, these symptoms may indicate a medical condition that requires veterinary diagnosis. Potential medical causes of shedding in rabbits include skin infections, skin parasites such as mites and fleas, nutritional deficiencies or a hormonal imbalance. Other possible causes include stress and pregnancy or false pregnancy. A bored pet may also over groom, which can cause excessive hair loss and bald spots, so interact with your pet and offer it affection to prevent this scenario.

    Grooming Your Rabbit

    • Rabbits groom themselves just like felines to remove dirt and dead hairs. However, this is not healthy for their stomach, because unlike felines that vomit accumulated hairballs, rabbits cannot do so. Brush your pet at least once a week during non-shedding season and increase the brushing frequency when the molting begins. If you have a longhaired pet, clip its hair short to 1 inch, otherwise hairballs will be a problem for you and your pet.