06/11/2025
🐰 Recently, a lot of our bunny patients have had Pododermatitis (Pressure Sores or Hock Sores). So let’s talk about what it is and the best way to keep your bunny comfortable and from getting these painful sores! 🐰
What is Pododermatitis?
Often called Hock Sores, it is a painful inflammatory foot condition that is most common in rabbits. Generally starting as red irritated skin with some hair loss, it can quickly become hard to manage open wounds that require medical intervention.
Prevention starts at husbandry!
🐇 Don’t house your bunny on abrasive surfaces such as carpet, or slippery surfaces such as hardwood. Instead put fleece blankets and padding down so that they don’t damage the fur padding on their feet and so that they can walk around properly without slipping.
🐰 Bedding options like fiber bedding, and recycled paper bedding can be used to provide a soft, clean area for rabbits. Avoid using options like wood chips.
🐇 Ensuring that their bedding is cleaned regularly, especially if using paper, cloth or straw, prevents them from standing on wet or soiled surfaces.
🐰 Make sure that their cage is the proper size so that your bunny can move around comfortably and freely. Small and cramped cages can cause a rabbit to sit in one place for long periods of time causing pressure points leading to hock sores.
🐇 Obesity can cause unnatural pressure points, so make sure to be feeding your bunny the proper diet and that they get plenty of exercise.
🐰 Common problems that cause loss of mobility, such as arthritis, can make your bunny more susceptible to hock sores. If you notice any changes in your rabbit’s mobility, give us a call so that we can address any concerns you may have!
🐇 Check your rabbit’s feet regularly to ensure that they are not developing any lesions.
A good option if your bunny has sore hocks (or if you want to prevent them), is socks! There are a few small businesses that create hock socks for bunnies, which are not only an adorable fashion statement, but a great option for the long term treatment and prevention of Sore Hocks!
It can take a long time to heal your rabbit’s hock sores, but with proper management, proper bedding, and long term changes, your bunny can make a full recovery. And remember, prevention is key!
Have a question or think your bunny is in pain? Give the clinic a call and we would be happy to answer any questions! 🥕
