Diets can help

Hairballs can occur in rabbits that are fed an inadequate amount of dietary roughage. Unlike cats, rabbits are unable to vomit, so the hair they lick from their coats can collect in their stomachs.

Rabbits suffering from hairballs should be given a maintenance diet containing between 15 and 25 percent fiber. Some balanced commercial rations contain much lower amounts of fiber, and should be supplemented with grass or legume hays. Alternatively, rabbits may be fed a high-fiber pelleted food.

Pineapple juice or enzyme tablets can be given to rabbits that are heavy shedders. These should be given every few months, for two to three days consecutively. Pineapple helps break down hair so that it can move through the digestive tract.

It is a good idea to brush your rabbit's fur routinely if it sheds heavily or is longhaired. This will cut down on the amount of hair that it will ingest when grooming itself.

If your rabbit has a digestive problem, you should take it to your veterinarian for evaluation. Other unrelated ailments can cause symptoms, such as inappetence, that are similar to those seen with hairballs, and these disorders require different treatments.

07/10/03