It’s commonly believed that bunnies living in wire rabbit cages are in danger of developing sore hocks. Is this true? And if so, how do you protect your fur ball’s feet?
That’s what we are going to cover in this article. We will also discuss the rabbit house supplies you need to prevent sore hocks.
What Causes Sore Hocks
Rabbits don’t have paw pads, making their feet more vulnerable. Ideally, their feet are protected by plenty of fur.
But we don’t live in an ideal world. Sadly, some rabbits have less fur on their feet, giving them little protection from hard surfaces.
Poorly bred bunnies and certain rabbit breeds are more likely to have this problem. For example, some Rex rabbits are born with less fur on their feet.
Image source: Floricing in the Forest
Here are other common causes of sore hocks:
- Thin fur pads.
- Heavy bunnies living in wire rabbit cages.
- Sagging indoor rabbit house floors.
- Extra-long claws that aren’t clipped often enough.
- Unsanitary conditions with dirty rabbit bedding.
- In-breeding.
How to Care for Your Rabbit’s Feet
Want to take good care of your rabbit? Then make sure your fur baby isn’t suffering from sore hocks by periodically checking the bottoms of your bunny’s feet.
Pay extra close attention to the back feet. If you only see fur, that means your rabbit’s paws are healthy and likely to stay that way. If there’s no fur, you might see a callus.
Image source: Reddit
You don’t need to be concerned about calluses as long as they don’t lead to an infection. This could happen if your bunny breaks the callus and it doesn’t heal properly. Regularly check the callus and provide a mat for your bunny’s feet to rest on.
If you find a red, bleeding sore, you need to treat it immediately. Consult your veterinarian and follow the steps below:
- Wash your rabbit’s feet with soapy water.
- Rinse and dry your rabbit’s feet.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- You might need to bandage the sore depending on how bad it is.
- Place a mat in the rabbit cage to speed up the healing process.
Preventing Sore Hocks
Rabbits with furry feet usually don’t get sore hocks. But if your bunny is susceptible to this problem, you can prevent this painful issue by getting the right rabbit house supplies.
Using hay as rabbit bedding provides a nice cushion for your bunny’s feet. This is one of the best tips for a new bunny.
But there is a major drawback to this prevention method. You will need to use a lot of hay in order to provide sufficient coverage. Plus, you will need to keep replenishing this rabbit bedding as your bunny eats it up.
Another option, or something you could use in addition to hay, is a rabbit mat. If your bunny is prone to sore hocks, a mat for a rabbit cage is an essential pet care item.
Rabbits like to chew, so you have to choose a mat that is made of bunny safe materials.
But what material is best for your pet accessories? Seagrass mats are a great option. Seagrass is safe for your pet and it’s also good for your bunny’s digestion and teeth.
