I have a female New Zealand White rabbit.
She is my only pet. I do not have any other animals in the house. And she is always inside. We rarely let her outside because I feel it it not safe or 'bunny proof'.
She's been pulling out her fur today and doesn't seem to want to stop. She keeps a bunch of fur in her mouth while ripping more off. I try to make her stop by petting her and distracting her but she then goes back to doing it again. I've tried to take the fur out of her mouth gently. But she refuses to let go. Though I've managed to take most out.
Quite some time ago I found a whole bunch of her fur stocked up inside the couch cover sheet. I just cleaned it out and threw her fur away.
I did some research and found out that it could be that she is trying to make a nest with her fur because she thinks she's pregnant. But I'm very sure she is NOT because she's never mated or even had any kind of contact with another rabbit.
Just this once my mom's boyfriend received a rabbit from a friend. So he decided to bring him over and let our rabbits interact. We watched them the whole time they were together. After a while of sniffing and following each other, they started to fight by scratching and grunting at each other. We separated them and put them back in their cages (which are far from each other). And my mom's boyfriend took his rabbit back and they never had contact with each other ever again. (eventually he gave his rabbit away because he couldn't be able to attend the little guy since he works a lot) That happened a long time ago so if they ever mated, (which would be a miracle since I watched them the whole time) I think she would've had her babies already.
And also my rabbit has seen a stray cat that often passes by our window. My bunny just stomps every time she sees it. And also my rabbit has seen my grandma's cockatiel bird (which is always inside his cage high up). So I don't think any of that has to do with it.
So I don't know what could be her problem. If their could be any other reason why she keeps pulling out her fur (mainly from her chest) then please let me know. And please let me know what to do to stop her.
PLEASE DO NOT SAY FOR ME TO GO TO THE VET. I do NOT think I will be able to. I want to be able to solve the problem at home if possible.
Thank you! c:
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Answers:
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You said you rarely let her outside. Well, she could have mated with a wild rabbit when she was outside. It really sounds like she is pregnant or is having a false pregnancy. She is trying to make a nest.
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Your rabbit THINKS she is pregnant, even if she isn't.What she is doing is building a nest for her babies.Just watch her for a while. fur she pulls out will grow back.
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My rabbit did the same thing. She met with my friends rabbit, and She thought she was pregnant. She lost hair, started nesting. She never had babies. Your rabbit is most likely NOT pregnant, unless you have another rabbit of the opposite sex. Your rabbit is fine, don't worry about her.:)
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