Question: I have been raising rabbits for a few years now and every year our rabbits fur looks a little rough. What could I do to get my rabbits fur just right? Is there anything I can put on or in there feed or water?
Answer: To get the best fur on a rabbit they really need an adequate supply of the basic nutrients: Protein, trace minerals and essential fatty acids. We find that because rabbits can select out added ingredients, we have the best success with a properly formulated pelleted complete diet.
A 16% protein diet that is well balanced in amino acids will be more than sufficient. Likewise a good rabbit diet should have the trace minerals needed to product a quality hair and skin coat. Purina Rabbit Chow Natural AdvantEdge Show Formula has an added vegetable oil blend, which we have found provides extra essential fatty acids, which helps maximize fur quality. This would be a diet that you may want to transition some of your rabbits to and see if it helps hair coat.
Another item to consider is are your rabbits being wormed periodically? A parasite load will reduce the absorption of nutrients, and poor quality fur is a potential symptom of parasites.
Thank you very much,
Gary Lynch, Ph.D.
Companion Animal Business Group
