my two year old male rabbit has started eating soil and chewing his fur on his back. Any ideas why?

Answer 1

lack of minerals is what is causing the soil eating. you need to change his diet try xtravital made by beaphar or russell rabbit. you need to also put a mineral stone in his cage and a salt lick there is something that you can also add to his water but can't remember what it is called but pets at home sell it. add fruit and vegetable in his diet. chewing at his fur take him to the vet to be checked out as he may have mites, fleas or bad skin if he is lacking minerals. it could be boredom as well so you could get him some toys again pets at home sell them. he should be regularly checked by a vet because rabbits sometimes need to have their teeth trimmed and also their claws. the other thing is get him fixed it means he is less frustrated and will be a better pet as rabbits can get territorial good luck. oh by the way you need to start checking for fly strike now the weather is getting hotter

Answer 2

Firstly your rabbit may be bored. Make sure he goes out in a secure run with plenty of toys to help keep him amused, like loo roll tubes filled with hay, cardboard boxes to jump on, in and around , also little plastic balls ( but beware of him chewing it). Make sure he is neutered and maybe change his diet. Make sure he eats a pellet food, just enough to cover the base of his bowl and no more or he'll get fat. Give him unlimited hay and water and at night just half a carrot, two leaves of greens, cabbage, a couple of florets of broccoli or cauli, half an apple or pear. Then consider getting him a neutered female. Go to a rescue as they will have all been neutered, vet checked and vaccinated, teeth and claws checked before being put up for adoption. They will also do a free bonding service to ensure your male and the new female get on ok before returning home to ensure your continued enjoyment of your animals. If you need any more advice, contact your vet or local rescue centre who should give you free advice and any more info that you may need. Good luck.

Answer 3

He may be eating soil due to a mineral deficiency you may need to provide him with a mineral block, salt lick, mineral supplement that goes in their water or a supplemented food that has a high mineral count e.g. excel.

Reason for the hair loss on his back may be because he has a parasite infection or an allergic reaction, this could be:

1. Mites, these are a large problem in smaller animals and need to be seen by vet if any signs showing as can lead to Mange.
2. fleas, these may cause excessive itching and should be seen by a vet.
3. many small animals can be allergic by hay or other small animal bedding's such as sawdust / shavings, again this should be seen by a vet as they will do some kind of test to see what the problem is.

Answer 4

I have 3 rabbits, 1 dutch, 1 dwarf and 1 rex rabbit. I had plants growing and they've dug up the plants and soil. Is yours castrated. Stuck in a pen or has free run of the garden. I'm still learning, about them, you'l get excellent, advice and answers on YA. Good lucl.

Answer 5

Like most animals, rabbits NEED the company of others of their own kind. Your pet is bored and lonely. If getting another rabbit is impossible, you need to really work at enriching his habitat. He needs a BIG BIG cage, or else lots of free-range time to run around. He needs lots of toys. He needs things to nibble on. He needs time and attention from you.

He might also need a change of diet and treatment for mites. A thorough check up with a vet would be a good place to start. You might consider getting him neutered and then you can place a female rabbit with him. They will both be very happy as long as they have a nice place to live.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I rehomed an unwanted male rabbit a few weeks ago and a second male rabbit from the same person finally arrived today and I expected them to fight but all they've done is get naughty with each other! Repeatedly. Maybe you should get another rabbit for company? Both mine will be neutered next week, which should stop their naughty activity. I hope!

Answer 7

im not a rabbit expert but any animal chewing its fur is generally a sign of boredom, over heating or stress.
eating soil is also a method adopted by many species for gaining minerals in their diet.
i would maybe consider changing its food
good luck

Answer 8

he should be fine as long as his poop is ok. many rabbits just overgroom and a lot of rabbits like eating soil! make sure he has loads of hay and has some stuff to play with such as a ball or treat bal designed for dogs filled with rabbit food

Answer 9

oh wow!!!
i had this problem with my rabbit, i went to the vets they gave me a weird answer but here u go
they said
that my rabbit has made out with another rabbit and it is chewing his fur because it feels proud!
told u it was weird even the vets said that but u no they r the experts so i believe them lol!!!!

Answer 10

first of all confirm one in each of them is fixed so as that it will't provide beginning, and confirm the female is an similar length to the male. they ought to get on positive as long as you slowly introduce them, initiate through allowing them to run round mutually interior and do not intrude until eventually they initiate to strive against violently regardless of if a touch battling is time-honored and only a teritorial element. the female will seem distressed even as the male mounts her in the starting up if she is a mushy rabbit yet she will be in a position of settle finally and settle for him. confirm you observe the mummy and father of the hot rabbit if determining to purchase from a breeder and the situations lived in through the rabbit.