Induce Rabbit Molting

Help Your Holland Lop Rabbit Molt Sooner

When fur has been damaged, baby fur is hanging around too long, or the fur has just become ratty but doesn't seem to want to molt completely, you may be interested in inducing a molt. To help me provide the best information on this topic, I contacted breeders much more experienced than I am across the country. Several of them were kind enough to reply and share some of their valuable knowledge. I think it is important to note upfront that some breeders observed that induced molts are generally not as satisfactory as natural molts. However, if your bunny is missing fur on the side of the face, the new fur will almost certainly be better than the old.

Kathy Schwartz of Lop N Mop Rabbitry has tried putting her bunnies in a warmer location to force a molt (in a heated basement instead of outdoors, for example). She notes, as mentioned above, that the molt doesn't seem to be as satisfactory as natural molts. Her outdoor bunnies have nicer fur, but producing that nice fur seems to take some toll on condition.

Since a change in feed can inadvertently cause a molt, you might try that method to force an intentional molt. There are 15% protein rabbit foods available (e.g., Kent) that could be used for a period of time, say one week. Then the bunny could be put back on his or her regular feed.

Todd Naragon wrote that a traditional remedy for bunnies in a very bad molt is a dose of Ivomec. Of course, I am not a vet and cannot advise you on giving medications or wormers to your bunnies. However, when I administer Ivomec, I give 1/10 cc per pound. It does makes sense that a very bad molt may be the result of undiagnosed internal parasites. Ridding the body of the parasites may free the body to work on building beautiful fur again.

Allan Ormond suggests giving the bunny plenty of water and a slice of dry wheat bread for one or two days. Then return to your normal conditioning routine. A molt may result from this treatment.

Again, adding a new supplement, such as dried beet root with molasses, oats with sunflower seeds, or raisins may trigger a molt. You can try giving your bunny a few brown flax seeds for a few days to see if that will start a molt.

If you have a favorite technique for triggering a molt and would be willing to share it with me and the readers of this website, please write me and let me know. I'd love to add the information here.

Breeding Holland Lop Rabbits

Holland Lop Rabbit Fur

Holland Lop Rabbit FAQs

Coping with Diarrhea

Rabbit Names

A Well-stocked Bunny Barn - List

How To Build Nest Boxes (Kindling Boxes)

How to Build Hanging Rabbit Cages

Magnet System of Rabbit Barn Management

Glossary of Rabbit Terms

Holland Lop Breeder's Prefix Index

Induce Rabbit Molting

Help Your Holland Lop Rabbit Molt Sooner

Rabbit Fur
Basics

Baby Rabbit Fur

Rabbit Fur Problems

Normal Molting

Causes of Unintentional Molts

Inducing a Molt

Rabbit Care During Molting

Conditioning Rabbit Fur

Grooming
Rabbits

Fuzzy Holland Lops