From: njl@druhi.ATT.COM (Nancy J. LaRoche)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Rabbit worry
Summary: Just some comments...
Date: 18 Nov 92 03:20:26 GMT

In article <BxvnDr.Ho4@world.std.com>, marty@world.std.com (Marty M HaleEvans) writes:
> 
> My rabbit Frankie has recently begun to lose hair all over the place. He shed
> a couple of months ago pretty thoroughly, then quit. Is he just shedding again,
> and will this happen several times a year?

Rabbits shed three times during their first year, then once a year after
that.  Some rabbits shed all at once in the spring and get it over with.
But many start shedding noticeably in the spring, continue shedding all
summer, but so lightly as to be barely noticeable, and then finish with a
flourish in the fall.  

> Or should I worry? He seems to be
> eating, and he was recently neutered -- could that be related?

No.

> I'm feeding him
> papaya and petromalt with his food to keep him from mats.

By "mats" do you mean "hairballs" (in the stomach) or mats in the fur on
his skin?

Assuming you mean the former, never give an animal petromalt WITH their
food, but only on a fairly empty stomach (read the warnings).  Personally,
I don't like giving rabbits petromalt at all--the papaya tablets are
sufficient (they MUST contain amylase; check the fine print) and petromalt
leaches fat-soluble vitamins from the animal--which may be partly what your
bunny's problem is.  (Actually, papaya tablets, daily hay, and exercise are
all factors in preventing hairballs.)

If you meant "mats" of hair on the bunny's body, only regular, daily,
careful grooming with take care of that.

> Also, he seems rather lazy lately. He hops around some, but not as much as he
> has. Mostly he snoozes and lays around. I wonder again if this is seasonal --

No.  But I would suspect that he has some vitamin deficiency because of the
Petromalt.  Discontinue it.  You might talk to you vet about a vitamin
supplement for awhile...

> I'm thinking he may 
> just be bored and am considering getting a second rabbit for him to play with.
> Does that sound like a good idea, or should I be more concerned?

I think a second bunny is always a good idea (with a few exceptions
involving medical problems or years as a single-bun).  But be warned:
bunnies are particular about their friends and mates.  You should get a
bunny of the opposite sex (get her spayed, not just for reproductive
reasons, but to protect her health), and he should be involved in the
choice.  If he doesn't show definite, friendly interest, it'll be a
struggle (but not necessarily impossible) to get them to be friends.

> I still don't
> really know how to play with him -- any ideas, or should I just leave him be?

No, don't leave him be.  Encourage him.  Let him teach you how he wants to
play.

Start by lying down on the floor with your hands under your body.  Be
patient.  No bunny can resist eventually checking you out.  He may only
sniff around, or he may climb all over you.  Next time, hide a little treat
somewhere where he'll come across it...maybe on the back of your hand with
your hand lying quietly on the floor.

To win his desire to play, NEVER pick him up (except for clipping nails,
checking teeth, etc., which should be done all in one sitting).  If you use
a cage, let him come out and go in without you picking him up.  (Herd him
into the cage instead of forcing him by picking him up.)  Encourage
him to come to you by offering treats, etc.  You didn't mention breed or
age.  Knowing that would help me advise on what you can expect from him.

You might try running in a wide circle around him--not so close as to annoy
him, and see if there is any reaction.  You might give him a gentle push as
though to roll him over and then run away a few feet.

> likes to throw cups and push around a shawl on the floor, but that's about it.

Try mason jar lids, especially if he's ever in a cage.  Sleigh bells
clipped to those rings may also inspire him.  But these are things he is
more likely to play with when you aren't around and he's bored.

Good luck!

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl