Flakey skin!

[Tate]

Fievel, like most rabbits, HATES being held. So I just don’t do it. I’ve noticed the past few days that he seems to be shedding. There aren’t bald patches, but it’s an awkward shed to say it best… I can see his under fur in a few places. I finally picked him up today and noticed that in those spots, he’s got some dandruff. He has a vet appointment on Tuesday… That was the earliest they had. Is there something I can put on his skin that a.) won’t irritate it and b.) isn’t toxic or harmful if he were to wash it off?
I just started adding in his new pellets- diet is usually the thing that I think of first with skin issues. I know that’s quite true of carnivores and omnivores but not sure of herbivores… What other causes are there? He doesn’t seem to be itching incessantly. His “room” is cleaned every three days. I can’t think of any environmental triggers either, other than that it has been HOT since August and this week it’s cooling off to the 70s.
ETA: Is this common with shedding?

[Sarita]

Sound like molting to me. The flaky skin is normal during a molt when the fur is shedding, the skin is shedding as well. I would not put anything on it, that is going to irritate it more. Brusing it would be the best.

[Tate]

Ok. I’[ve had Fievel since January and he kinda started molting in February, although it was mostly on his head. Other than that, nothing! Velvateen doesn’t molt either, I guess.. Hmm.. He looks like a little hobo bunny… all scruffy. Hehe.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I doubt it’s anything to worry about. Your vet will check him out. I find the best thing for bunny dandruff (Olivia get some by her ears sometimes) is one of those soft baby brushes. You can really brush down to the skin and it’s very gentle. Olivia actually seems to enjoy it and she hates being groomed.

[Tate]

Haha, ok this is almost comical. He’s shedding a ridiculous amount right now. He still has little tufts of fur but now it’s in a pattern. I had him up on my bed and now my black sheets are brown and white.
LPT: Do you have a picture of the brush? I have a slicker brush but it’s just too harsh on him and doesn’t get any fur out. He has really fine hair and it’s not super dense. It’s like baby bunny hair. Except he’s not a baby. Haha

[LittlePuffyTail]

Well a baby brush won’t help with the shedding but it’s good to massage the skin and loosen the dandruff. I just use one of those little baby brushes that you get in a set with a comb. You can find it in any baby section (walmart or dollarstore have them cheap). The set I have looks a bit like this:

 

I actually use the comb for Stormy. It’s great for getting out little Mini-Rex mats.

[Author]

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