How to Prevent Hairballs in Rabbits

Know the difference between a mild hairball and a medical emergency. Symptoms of a mild and easily treatable hairball are a small and brief decrease in appetite, smaller droppings or fur in the droppings. Any behavior changes such as lethargy and refusal to eat for more than 4 to 6 hours should be considered a medical emergency and your rabbit could die in less than 24 hours if not seen by a veterinarian.

Feed your rabbit hay, all day, everyday. Every rabbit should have a diet that consists of “free choice” Timothy hay, especially when the rabbit is molting. Timothy hay consumption helps keep hairballs to a minimum because the hay entangles with ingested fur and helps push it out of the digestive system before the fur develops into a hairball.

Remember to keep the hay clean. Feed your rabbit hay through a hay bin, not off the floor of its cage or in its food bowl. Pet stores offer hay bins in many shapes and sizes and they are usually less than $5. Purchase only the hay bins that attach to the outside of the bunny’s cage. Hay bins that attach inside the cage pose a safety risk to the bunny who loves to hop into and sit in such fun places.

Offer fresh pineapple. The acid in the pineapple may help destroy hairballs, making them easier to pass through the digestive system. Don’t be discouraged if your rabbit is offended by the smell, as most bunnies are. Some rabbits will solve the “stinky” problem by begrudgingly eating the pineapple. Others are more stubborn and may have to be force-fed the pineapple. Remove any uneaten pineapple from the rabbit’s cage after 5 minutes.

Make your bunny exercise it out. Take your bunny to an area of your home that has been bunny-proofed and allow it to play for an hour. This activity encourages your rabbit to pass droppings, helping ingested fur move through the digestive tract. This is also a good opportunity to see if your rabbit is exhibiting more serious symptoms, such as lethargy, which should be considered an emergency.