Best Wool Block Preventative?

[bunnylove10]

I have a Jersey Wooly, and I have been noticing hair sticking her poops together, and she seems to constantly be shedding. I see herself grooming her body all the time, and I can only imagine the amount of fur she is ingesting. So, I’ve read that the Oxbow Papaya Fruit Plus tablets are a possible preventative of wool block, but others are saying they don’t even know if those tablets work. Some say dried papaya is better. I’ve also heard of using oil as well. 

Any of you have some good suggestions on how to prevent wool block? (Other than brushing regularly) I want to take care of my baby with all of that fur of hers. 

[Sarita]

Hay and hydration are the best for this. Also try grooming her more often.

[Beka27]

The papaya supplements are really more of treats than a true preventative measure. Like Sarita said, hay, frequent brushing, and hydration are best. If your bun doesn’t seem to be drinking a lot of water, you can also serve her veggies very wet, and try transitioning her to a bowl if she’s currently using a bottle.

[MK]

I agree, hay and hydration. However, the papaya tablet do work, but don’t take the place of good water, hay and regular, good brushing. They are more of a supplement.

[Sarita]

Here’s an excellent article by Dr. Susan Brown DVM and her suggestions on enzymes, etc. and diet to prevent this:

http://rabbit.org/sluggish-motility-in-the-gastrointestinal-tract-2/

Worth reading the whole article in full.

[mossling]

Several angora breeders I’ve spoken to have recommended adding 1/4 tsp of flax seed to their pellets every day. Fox, my French angora, is still young, so I give her 1/4 tsp once a week. She also gets unlimited hay and a small piece of dried papaya at bedtime.

[JackRabbit]

I read the article. Funny, that is exactly what our vet said! I don’t have the heart to take away all pellets, so even my 2 salads a day bun gets a little bit of pellets at dinner! I do give each bun a papaya tablet everyday — it may not do any good but it doesn’t hurt and they love them. If I forget Kieko’s, she’ll rattle her condo doors until she gets it!

Edit: One of my lops usually has a few strings of poops every day or every other day. They both eat a ton of hay, get a wet salad every night, always have willow chews available, and are brushed during salads daily. Short of finding a way to brush their belly fur, I’m doing all that can be done. I worry more when they’re shedding and I *don’t* see string poops!

[Monkeybun]

Just going to add my support for the Hay and water, and frequent grooming as the best things to do

[bunnylove10]

Interesting! Thanks for that article. Here I thought that wasn’t enough, but good to know grooming hay and water is the best thing to do. Some of you mentioned the flax or dried papaya, does that seem to help at all with your buns? I have noticed Mosley drinks A TON of water. Which is weird because the article says that you will notice if that rabbit is eating more of a greens/hay diet vs pellets, they will drink a lot less water. I don’t give Mosley very much pellets at night, the rest of her diet is primarily greens and hay. Do willow twigs help give them fiber as well? I noticed some of you mentioned that you always have those available. 

I’m still trying to get her to not hate me every time I try and brush her..she squirms, growls, bites, and starts hyperventilating. After the fact, she won’t look at me the rest of the day and she will just turn her back to me. Or even better, she will come onto my lap, sniff my face like she is going to give kisses, then BITE! It’s the revenge of the bun that hates being brushed haha.

[Author]

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