Shedding! Oh, the Humanity!

[Balefulregards]

So all this time I have been reading about the molts of rabbit coat….and thinking “Hmm, I never see anything really drastic like that”…

Until Last week. Holy Tomoly. She is blowing her coat big time.

So I got the slicker brush and did my best – she prefers the “plucking” method, it seems and will actually lay there tooth purring while I pluck away at her coat. I do this until there is so much fur flying around and getting in my nose I can’t stand it anymore.

So my question is this – Do rabbits ( like cats or dogs) do seasonal molts – I know they have 2 light and 2 heavy molts a year, but do they generally line up with the seasons? Or are they completely random and unique to the rabbit?

Secondly – Coco is a Dutch and I am noticing the back of her is a strange mottled color – Like some areas which haven’t shed are still somewhat Dark and then she has much lighter orangey brown fur in the newly shed places – will this grow in and even out?

Finally, it was one of the funniest things last night – After giving Coco her demanded love and adoration, my husband ( a big black man with dreadlocks from Detroit) had to get out the dustbuster and vaccum himself off, as she had fully covered him in bunny fur. It was most amusing to watch.

[ilovemylittleman]

Little man sheds like crazy. He molts like crazy too. Seems like he’s always loosing his fur. I don’t really know if it follows seasons though  guess I never really paid attention.

He’s a dutch mutt… He gets that orangy poo brown colored fur on his rump when he’s shedding or molting too. I was pretty sure that was the stuff that was getting ready to fall out until I read your post. Now I’m not so sure.  It does grow in and even out though. Same color same length… takes a bit, but no worries
He definitely prefers to be “plucked” too. He lays with his head at my knees butt against my zipper in the crevas the forms between my thighs when I’m sitting in a chair and I work my way from head to tail in really quick, short pulls. He nearly goes comatose… not something I would have expected to be relaxing, but I’m not a bun 

[bunnytowne]

OH gaaa  HB shed all the time. He hates being plucked. I can’t get a good brushing on his tums. I have to do a quick brush b4 he moves and fusses.  We hold him and get hair all over ourselves.  I think he sheds all the time all the time.  Then does a big shed too.

[Scarlet_Rose]

I utterly and totally sympathize with all of you!  My poor Bonsai I spent 45 minutes on his butt alone yesterday! OMG the fur just would not stop.  He looks great now but there is even more to be combed out I just couldn’t take it anymore.

Here is a snippet from the HRS (I’m getting lazy these days) found here http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/medical.html#hairballs:

Hairballs 

Rabbits shed their hair every three months. Every second shedding is light, followed three months later by a heavy shedding. This is an important factor in rabbit deaths. You need to brush and comb your rabbit to get the hair off of them when they start to shed. Rabbits groom themselves like cats and will ingest all of the loose hair, which they cannot vomit as can cats. For this reason, besides regular grooming, they must have constant access to fresh hay every day, as the fiber helps the hair pass through the digestive system. You can also give your rabbit cat hairball preparations such as Petromalt or Laxatone once a week when not shedding and daily during their molt. Finally, daily exercise is another important factor in the prevention of hairballs.

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Chuck and Rupert finally stopped. Kahlua is now blowing her coat too…UGH!! It never stops I swear!!

[Lightchick]

I don’t know for sure that the shedding corresponds with seasons, but as soon as Lizzy stopped doing her Pig-pen impersonation, Robbie started, so they’re both happening at the same time, and it is just starting to get colder…

[Cassi&Charlie]

Charlie is drowning me in fur but Layla hasn’t started hers yet & we’re changing seasons. I’m terrified cause she’s a baby & still has her super soft baby fur, so when she does shed it. it’ll be awful!

[Lagomorpheus]

I have always been amazed at the amount of fur these little guys can generate. Mine resent being pawed on but I think secretly enjoys it. It’s also good for their health!

[Lightchick]

On an unrelated note, Robbie’s getting rid of all his ugly brown coarse park-bunny fur, and now he’s super-soft (for him…of course Lizzy’s still softer), and grey! It’s funny how different their coats are. Lizzy’s got longer fur, and is sleeker. He has an undercoat, and reminds me of a German Shepherd we had when I was a kid (especially in how he brushes out–great choking clumps of undercoat, with escapee-hairs flying everywhere…).

He’s quite the handsome bun, now, except for the scars on his eyes, and the killer-rabbitude…

[Balefulregards]

Coco is getting softer, I think – But it is quite funny to see her little “toupee” of new fur on the top of her back – it is stretching out a bit more every day…and I try to sit nearby and pretend like I am NOT plucking her. It has to totally be her idea and not seem as if I am doing anything more than adoring her….

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