Papaya Enzyme

[Leanie2]

I have been reading about the benefits of giving this to my rabbits to help with the prevention of hairballs. Can you give any type of papaya enzyme tablet? I have seen special brands on pet sites but the ingredients look the same. Does anyone else use this?

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Papaya and pineapple does nothing to prevent to treat hairballs. The enzymes simply can't break down or dissolve fur, at least not at temperatures that occur in the living rabbit. Some have added sugar which can be bad for rabbits as it upsets the bacteria in the intestines.

The best things to prevent hair balls are lots of hay, water, and brushing. The hay keeps things moving and pushes out the fur. Water keeps them hydrated and keeps the gut moving. Brushing helps prevent them from ingesting too much fur in the first place.

 

[Troller]

My well respected exotic Vet specializing in rabbits recommended I use them. Not so much for the fighting fur benefit, though she said it helps , but its also good to give them as a daily treat a barometer to how the buns are doing that day . If they gladly much on them they're fine, if not something may be wrong. Of course that works with any treat really but they both like it so whats the harm.

 

[Country-Girl]

I buy the human one. I get the American Health Chewable ones because there cheaper, come with way more, taste good & there lactose free just like the rabbit ones.

 

[JBun]

Some people feel the tablets are helpful to their buns, but the info that I've read on it would suggest that they aren't effective, for the enzyme aspect at least. I haven't come across direct official research links, but these RO threads had some interesting info about it.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f14/another-tall-tale-enzymes-7199/
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f27/stasis-pineapple-juice-critical-care-74006/index4.html

 

[woahlookitsme]

Its not just giving papaya tablets. what you want to give is the enzyme papain or bromelin. these are both in meat tenderizer products because they break up the fibers in mucle (protein). hair is made of protein so the logic is that it does the same thing. a very famous angora breeder uses them daily for her bunnies.

http://rabbitresource.org/care-and-health/nutrition/papaya-and-prozyme/

 

[Leanie2]

Thanks for all the input. Luckily both rabbits like to be brushed and they do get a lot of hay and water too. My female is 1 year old and making a nest in her box so there is a lot of hair that I'm trying to keep out of her house.