Why Did My Rabbit Lose Its Hair?

If your rabbit is losing large amounts of hair, known as alopecia, you should take your pet to a veterinarian. Alopecia in rabbits can be a symptom of several conditions.

  1. Normal Hair Loss

    • There are times that hair loss is normal. Rabbits lose hair as they shed their winter coats, and mother rabbits may pull out hair as part of nest-building behavior.

    Behavior

    • Some rabbits may pull hair out of other rabbits in a show of dominance. In other instances, rabbits may be over-grooming because of boredom or stress.

    Grooming

    • In some instances, you may be the cause of your rabbit's hair loss. Over-brushing and grooming by humans sometimes causes hair loss in rabbits.

    Parasites

    • Parasites are another cause of hair loss in rabbits. Ectoparasites, better known as mites and fleas, can cause a rabbit to rub and bite itself to the point of hair loss.

    Nutrition

    • Another cause of a rabbit's hair loss could be not getting enough fiber. Talk to your veterinarian about improving your rabbit's diet.

    Infections

    • Bacterial and fungal skin infections can cause hair loss in rabbits. These conditions often cause the rabbit to scratch and bite itself, resulting in loss of hair.