The mystery of pearl poop

[CinnabunMom]

Right now Cinnabun is blowing her coat. It’s been going on for about 2 weeks now and I’m hoping she’s nearing the end. This is the first time she’s ever done it since I got her year ago when she was 8 weeks old. For the most part, she’s been perfectly fine, minus the INSANE shedding. She eats tons of hay and I increased her veggie amount because she’s never been a huge drinker. This morning when I was cleaning out her litter box, I noticed a few “pearl” poos, about 3 poos strung together by hair. I’ve always been confused by these things because I always end up reading different things about them when I search on the internet. I’ve read that they are cause for concern and I’ve read that I should note them, but not worry because it means the hair is not staying inside the gut, but is coming out. She gets groomed about 3x a day (and plucked quite often whenever I notice another section of hair ready to go) but I feel like there is no way I can get it all. Especially the underbelly since I can only run my hands under there in an effort to get loose hairs. My question is: what’s the truth about pearl poops? Should I be worried or just accept it as inevitable when she’s shedding his much? 

[Silly Sungura]

Hodari has some pearl poos regularly on account of her long hair. I really think it’s inevitable, especially when the bunny is shedding more. When I had to take Hodari to the emergency room one night because she wasn’t eating and acted like she was straining to pee, I mentioned the pearl poos to the vet on duty. She (the vet) just said to keep an eye on her to make sure she was still pooping; if not, then that would warrant another immediate trip to the vet because it could mean that there was a blockage. To keep Hodari’s gut moving, I just do what you’re doing: I brush her many times a day; pick up loose hair off the floor; feed her lots of wet greens and a variety of hay, which I give in novel ways to keep her interested in eating a lot. I’m always worried about it, though…

[LBJ10]

Wooly gets them sometimes too. He has long hair though. I agree, I don’t think there is any way to prevent them. They are going to ingest hair no matter what.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I think most bunnies get them occasionally. I wouldnt worry as long as there is not an excessive amount (once in a while is fine), and shes eating plenty of hay and wet greens.

For the underbelly, try wetting your hands and running them along her belly.

[luvmyhunybuny]

Lilbit just blew her coat and for about 2 weeks straight she was pooping pearl poops. Some strings were 7-8 poops long. I talked to my vet and she said it is normal and to just push wet greens and a variety of hay. I cut back a bit on her pellets when she is molting too.

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