Do you need to give bunnies hairball medication?

Answer 1

Actually yes you should give them hairball medication. They clean themselves just like cats do and have similar types of fur so it would stand to reason that they could get hairballs. Check with your vet to figure out what kind to use. Most hairball meds. are meat flavored for cats but rabbits don't eat meat so I don't think it would be too appetizing!

Answer 2

Hairball Medication

Answer 3

Rabbits DEFINITELY get hairballs, but they can't cough them up. Don't give them the same medication you give cats without an OK from the vet, since cat medication might work by stimulating them to vomit.
Rabbits don't need medication until they get a hairball, and you can see if they have one by looking at their pellets: if they come out strung together with fur, there's a problem. Give them fresh pineapple if they'll eat it, or fresh pineapple juice; I don't know how much.
To give liquids to a rabbit, cradle him on his back like a baby, and if he's nervous, wrap his legs and body securely in a towel so he won't kick. Use a small (3-6 cc) syringe or an eyedropper to put a little liquid at a time in the corner of his mouth. Wait until he licks his lips and swallows before you give him more. If you're using an eyedropper, keep it away from his teeth so he won't break it and cut himself.
It's best to prevent hairballs. Brush your rabbit often to get rid of loose hair, and give him hay so he won't eat his own fur for the fiber.

Answer 4

Rabbits only need hairball remedies if you suspect your rabbit is having a hard time breaking down the hair he indgests.I have been raising rabbit for quite a while and have never had to give any of my rabbits a hairball medication.But one thing i do give them to help prevent hairballs and to aid the digestion process is dried papaya or papaya pills.you can find this in you local grocery store and it is pretty inexpensive.just give this to them about once every other week or you could go even once a month. but they do not need an medicine from the vet.i hope this helps you.e-mail me privately if you would like to know more.

Answer 5

If your rabbit gets a serious hair blockage it will need surgery or it will die. Rabbits clean themselves the same way that a cat does but they are physically unable to vomit so they can't rid themselves of the extra fur. Make sure that you are brushing your rabbit on a regular basis (especially if it has long fur or is shedding). You could also ask your vet about hairball prevention and there is probably a rabbit formula medication for it.

Answer 6

I breed Lionhead Rabbits, and they do get hairballs. We call it "wool block". I give my rabbits Timothy or Grass Hay and that will help them digest everything better. It normally happens in long haired rabbits, but I am sure it can happen in all bunnies. I found a site for you to read that might help you out. Best of Luck:)
http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/Rabbits.html#Hairballs

Answer 7

no you don't need to give bunnies hairball medication..i had two bunnie rabbits and i never had to give them hairball medication

Answer 8

When I had Rabbits/Bunnies I never did. I did feed them a good rabbit feed and some regular veggies that they liked, had a little round salt lick for them and I kept a piece of Hickory wood for them to chew on. They like a Beaver and their teeth continue to grow, so, they need the wood to hone their teeth. Do not use store bought wood like a 2x4, it may have chemicals, just find a good size limb from a hardwood tree and remove the bark.

Answer 9

rabbits groom themselves just like cats
they ingest hair .... just like cats.

they can form a hair ball -
long haired rabbits are more likely to form hairballs.

weight loss
smaller fecal balls
& fecals hanging from the wire floors
are signs of hair balls.
( the Hair is what is making them hang there )

a badly impacted rabbit will begin to eat less and less
(that is why it is important to measure how much you feed every day)

HAY - helps keep the hair moving thru the bunny.
and any roughage: apple & maple limbs ( the bark is EXCELLENT ) fall leaves, even grass is better than nothing.
BUT NO CHERRY OR PLUM TREES!! DEADLY
pineapple juice will help disovolve and 'slick up' the hair - and help it move out
PetroMal (for cats) works too

but if everything looks fine and acts fine
do not 'fix' it
KC

Answer 10

I don't think that bunnies get hairballs, because thay don't lick themselves. Therefore, you don't need to give them hairball medication.