Rabbit Shedding: Removing Rabbit Hair

Rabbit shedding is one of the things you have to expect when keeping a bunny. Your pet needs special attention when it is shedding. Through this blog post, you will learn how to groom a rabbit that is molting and how it can prevent hairballs. There are also tips on how to remove rabbit hair from clothing. You will also know what to do to remove rabbit hair from furniture. Read more to know about rabbit shedding.

Rabbit Shedding

Rabbit shedding is a normal phenomenon occurring every three months. Bunnies undergo shedding to adapt to warm and cold temperatures. The two major sheddings happen during spring and autumn. Besides the two major sheddings, the bunny may also experience two minor moltings.

Young bunnies experience shedding when they are five months. It is the time when they acquire their intermediate coats. The shedding season may last for two to six weeks. But if the fur loss takes a lot of time, you want to bring your pet to the vet since it can be a sign of sickness. Stressed and bored rabbits may also pull out their furs to express frustration.

You can tell if your rabbit is molting naturally by observing in what direction the fur is shedding. The shedding starts from the head, going to the neck and back. You will also notice that the molting ends at the stomach and tail. More furs are shed during the spring than in the fall. So ensure to prepare yourself to remove rabbit hair from clothing frequently.

Excessive molting can indicate a health problem. Shedding is balanced, so having a bald bunny can be alarming. Furs protect your pet from extreme temperatures, especially during summer and winter. It can be fatal for rabbits to be exposed to hot and cold weather. It is because they cannot easily regulate their body’s temperature. 

Some rabbits are slow to shed their coats which pet owners find frustrating. It only lengthens the weeks when you have to clean the cage frequently. You can speed up the molting season by feeding your pet with protein. However, you must ask for the vet’s advice regarding your bunny’s new diet. 

Proper Way to Groom a Shedding Rabbit

Brushing your pet’s coat is vital during rabbit shedding. It does not only prevent the danders from spreading inside your home. But you can also stop your bunny from ingesting its furs which is very dangerous. Bunnies have sensitive skins, so you must groom them properly to prevent injuries. Long-haired rabbits require daily brushing when they are shedding. However, short-furred bunnies may only require grooming at least once a week. You can gently pluck the loose furs, but brushing the coat with a bristle brush would be better.

Some tools you can use to groom your bunny’s coat include a slicker brush and a flea comb. Furmitator, Furbuster, and rubberized mitts can also remove your bunny’s loose fur. The grooming tools you will need may depend on your bunny’s coat length and breed. You must be careful on using them so you won’t hurt your pet.

Because of their thick and long coats, Angora breeds require trimming and shaving. Letting their coats grow may lead to matting and tangling. A mat rake or a mat splitter helps remove the mats on their coats. When shaving these breeds, use a tool to reach every area of the bunny’s body. A small shave that gives you maximum control when trimming is highly recommended.

Preventing Hairballs During Rabbit Shedding

As clean animals, rabbits love to groom themselves. However, they can ingest their furs when they are shedding. Thus, it may lead to a condition called hairballs. Ingested hairs that are in small amounts may not be harmful. But when they become excessive, they will affect your bunny’s digestion. It may lead to a severe condition called gastrointestinal stasis.

Rabbits with hairballs may lose their appetite and excrete droppings strung together. They may also show pain by grinding their teeth and hunching their backs. The best way to prevent this condition is to groom your pet. Providing your bunny with a high-fiber diet prevents it from ingesting its loose furs. 

Fluid therapy is needed to keep it hydrated and improve the gut’s motility. Feeding it through a syringe may also have to be conducted to keep the digestive system moving. A roughage will remove the hairballs by carrying them out of the body through excretion. If the condition is already severe, surgery may be required.

Keeping the House Clean During Rabbit Shedding

Furs caused by rabbit shedding may trigger asthma attacks and allergies. If any family members have respiratory problems, ensure you clean your home from the furs. It is not enough to remove rabbit hair from clothing. But you must also remove rabbit hair from furniture and all over your home.

If your bunny is shedding, clean your home using a lint roller to remove furs on flat surfaces. It is also an effective tool for eliminating rabbit hair from clothing. If you don’t have a lint roller, you can also use masking tape to blot the spots covered with furs. Also, clean the air ducts and HVACs to prevent the hairs and danders from circulating. 

To prevent your rabbit’s fur from spreading inside your house, clean its toys and accessories. Decluttering your home can also help you get rid of hairs that are hiding on corners and crevices. You can also install High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter traps. Restrict your bunny in some areas if it’s shedding, preventing the loose hairs from spreading.

Keeping the Floors Clean During Rabbit Shedding

It is also highly recommended to have hard flooring material than fluffy carpets. Furs sticking on the rugs are more difficult to remove than hard flooring. If you have hardwood or bare floors, it would be easier to clean them using a dry microfiber mop than a vacuum.

For carpeted floors, rubbing a pumice stone can also eliminate the furs. You can also use a FURminator since they remove the hairs without damaging the carpet. Vacuuming them twice in alternate directions can expel stubborn hairs. Special pet vacuums also have strong suctions removing rabbit furs quickly.

Remove Rabbit Hair From Furniture

An indoor rabbit pet may leave its furs on some pieces of furniture inside your house. You must remove rabbit hair from furniture since it may trigger allergies. One of the ways to get rid of your pet’s fur is by cleaning the furniture with a damp cloth. After you have wiped the surface, collect the hairs into a pile with a bristle brush, then vacuum them.

You can also remove rabbit hair from furniture using a rubber glove. Put on the rubber glove and wipe the area you wish to clean. You can eliminate the collected furs by pulling them out or running a vacuum over them. It also effectively cleans your upholstery, especially when there are short furs.

A portable vacuum cleaner is also a good solution. It can remove rabbit hair from furniture without causing any damage or scratch. A wet-dry vacuum cleaner is one of the best vacuums for this situation. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can also use a dry, dense sponge as an alternative. But you have to press hard to remove the furs.

Anti-static dusting sprays can remove rabbit hair from furniture, especially wooden ones. It expels the electric charge from the hair, so they are easier to wipe with a cloth without re-sticking. You can also use a furniture polish if you don’t have an available anti-static dusting spray.

Remove Rabbit Hair From Clothing

To prevent your washing machine from clogging, remove rabbit hair from clothing. Using sticky tape is effective in removing the hairs on the clothes. Do this trick before putting your garments in the washing machine. If your clothes are too many, you can put them on a low or no-heat dryer together with dryer sheets. Let the dryer run for at least ten minutes. Since dryer sheets are anti-static, they can send the rabbit furs directly to the lint trap.

You can invest in laundry sets that eliminate pet hairs to save time. They can help remove rabbit hair from clothing easily. These washing machines usually have built-in filters to capture pet hairs. Cleaning your rabbit’s bedding will prevent their hair from sticking to your clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my rabbit shedding too much fur?

A rabbit shedding too much fur may experience severe health conditions. Bald patches may indicate that your pet has an underlying health condition. So, it is crucial to let the vet check it. Your pet may also pull off its furs due to stress, boredom, or frustration. 

Is using a dryer ball remove rabbit hair from clothing?

Dryer balls are non-toxic, reusable balls that can remove rabbit hair from clothing. You can use them while you are washing and drying your garments. Besides rabbit furs, they can also get rid of danders and hairs on blankets, bedding, and sheets. 

Can rubber gloves remove rabbit hair from furniture?

Rubber gloves can remove rabbit hair from furniture without scratching or damaging it. You can dampen the rubber gloves and then run them over on the upholstery or furniture. If they are already covered with furs, you only have to rinse them. Using dry rubber gloves is also effective in removing rabbit hair.

The Fact Is: Rabbit Shedding is Normal

Rabbit shedding is inevitable for a bunny. However, you must know what to do when your pet is molting to ensure that it won’t ingest its furs. If you have family members who have asthma or allergies, you must keep your house free from loose furs. Learning how to remove rabbit hair from your home can keep it a safe place for everyone.

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