Hairball remedies…

[earthisours]

Hi there,

For once, not an urgent question regarding my bunnies!  In this case, I work in a pet supply store, and I’ve gotten this question a few times, and I always answer in the negative, as I’m not sure that it’s safe and I’d rather be safe than sorry. (But I do talk to them regarding prevention and what to do in case of GI stasis as well as signs)

Can rabbits have cat hairball remedies? I know I read somewhere they should be used only as a preventative. Even in this case, what kinds are okay? Petroleum? The “natural” ones? Preferably not at all?

Thanks!

[Monkeybun]

I don’t think I’d use any cat remedy myself. the oxbow papaya tablets are great, and i read somewhere pineapple is good for hairballs too. So, Monkey gets papaya tablets, and the occasional nibble of pineapple, and she hasn’t had a hair issue yet

[Barbie]

That’s awesome that you try to educate the customers about bunny care. Aside from lots and lots of hay and the papaya and pineapple, I haven’t heard of any other hairball remedies. I personally would definitely not try any cat hairball meds or even the ones I’ve seen marketed for rabbits. They have such sensitive tummies that I wouldn’t want to be pouring chemicals into them if I didn’t know 100% that it was safe (aka, the vet tells me to).

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Preferably not at all. There was a brand made for bunnies-but that’s really really old school. Show them to the hay aisle and tell them that’s the hair ball remedy The other thing they can try is papaya tablets. (Oxbow)

[Sarita]

Well, first of all rabbits don’t really get hairballs – that’s not a proper term. A blockage is due to a gut motility problem so you need to keep your rabbit’s guts moving which is what hay is for. So plenty of HAY :~)

You also want to make sure they get plenty of exercise and drink their water.

When a rabbit gets a blockage obviously they need to see a vet who will do sub-q fluids, gut motility and pain meds.

The problem with a possible blockage and the “hairball” rememdies is that this coats the blockage when you are really wanting to super hydrate the blockage to get it to break up and move through their guts – the hairball remedies will just coat and gum up which will further hinder the problem.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Sarita on 11/16/2009 05:33 AM
The problem with a possible blockage and the “hairball” rememdies is that this coats the blockage when you are really wanting to super hydrate the blockage to get it to break up and move through their guts – the hairball remedies will just coat and gum up which will further hinder the problem.

Absolutely.  This is the risk ^.  The petroleum based remedied sort of waterproof the mass so then fluids don’t soften it as well as they should.  So while these hairball remedies may be safe for rabbits, they’re not the ideal treatment. So if customers do insist on buying them, just ensure they know to get lots of fluids into the rabbit beforehand.  Fibre, fluids & wet greens will get thingsmoving much more safely.

 

[earthisours]

Thanks guys! Very helpful info. =) I work in a very knowledgeable store, but the staff are mostly trained regarding cats and dogs. Only a few staff, including myself, actually know rabbits. Now I won’t feel so unsure regarding this issue.

[Author]

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