Shedding?

[Lucky_2017]

Hey guys I really didn’t want to post this because I didn’t want it to seem as if I was over reacting; I’m a first time bunny owner. So my Dutch Lop is shedding quite heavily, he is an indoor rabbit but I’m just wondering why he is shedding during winter. I also found a biggish clump of fur in his hay. Just tell me if this is normal?

 

[samoth]

Totally normal.

There are usually four sheds per year; 1-2 are generally heavy, and the others light. The fur can fall out in tufts or clumps like you mention, or the rabbit can pull them off itself during grooming activitis.

I noticed one of my rabbits had an exceptionally heavy shed the winter after I adpoted him, but I have not noticed it this year. Perhaps environmental changes can trigger heavier sheds?

 

[Skavatar]

don't worry unless they get patches of bald spots.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

And some get a heavier shed than others. Our Mini Rex looks almost like nothing is going on except for a few hairs. Cosmo looks like someone set off a firecracker, so his Nickname right now is scruffles. Our Lionhead always looks the same, but his hutch looks like the hairy version of the "dust bowl".

 

[stevesmum]

My Chip is going through a big moult right now. I find it makes them a bit grumpy too. And of course they hate to be brushed or plucked. I wonder if it itches or feels weird, like when deer scrape the velvet off their antlers?

 

[Lucky_2017]

Yeah hmm

 

[Aki]

A lot of indoor rabbits shed often no matter the season. With some rabbits it's most impressive than with others. The heater was broken in my rabbits' room and I got it repaired 3 weeks ago - Aki suddenly had a massive moult (hers are always big and a bit ridiculous).

 

[RavenousDragon]

It's very individual, too. Whiskey, my male, just finished a pretty big molt (for him-- his are usually mild) and Brandy, my female, did not (hers are usually quite dramatic, so I'd notice ). I can't think of a reason for Whiskey molting, it was just time.