Could grass/digging mats cause sore hocks?

[Lemony4]

My rabbit eats blankets whenever he's in his hidey area, so I put a digging/grass mat in there so that he doesn't eat any of the blanket he's chewed up.

Its kind of a tight braided material, I couldn't find the exact type of mat online but I here is picture of him flopped on it lol. I haven't seen sores on his feet but I just want to make sure because he's loafed on this thing for several hours a day, whereas before he was always on blankets and carpet

Floppy boy

 

[ladysown]

sore hocks are caused by two things
1. genetics (poor furring on feet)
2. wet conditions

if the mat isn't wet, he'll be fine.

 

[Blue eyes]

Some rabbits have been known to get sore hocks if left only on carpet. Variety of surfaces is more important for preventing sore hocks. So braided mats will be just fine -- better in fact simply because it is an additional option for laying on.

I always liked to keep a square tile (porcelain or ceramic) in any enclosure for another option. Sometimes they like to have that cool, smooth surface for a change.

 

[Lemony4]

Interesting! I guess I always just thought it to be about the toughness of whatever they're on most of the day. The rest of his bedroom is utility/rubber tile but he usually spends his time in the carpeted living room with us, and a couple hours a day he naps on the tile by our front door so I'd say he has some variety

Thank you!

 

[Watermelons]

You also want to make sure his back nails are kept short as over grown nails can cause posture change putting more pressure on the hocks vs feet.

 

[Lemony4]

Okay, that's also good to know thank you. He doesn't really tolerate being handled still so we bring him to the vet every few weeks for a clipping