01/06/2025
π° We couldn't agree more with this post from .rabbitrescue about the risks of keeping rabbits on slippery floors.
Even if your rabbit is confident on your wooden or linoleum flooring, it is best to discourage them from spending more time than is necessary on these surfaces.
We've seen everything ranging from dislocated toes to serious spinal and head injuries from rabbits who unexpectedly slid out and impacted against walls or other hard objects.
It's always better to be safe than sorry by providing as many non-slip surfaces as your home allows π°
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We have observed numerous posts, pictures, and videos featuring rabbits being kept on slippery floors, which poses a significant danger to them.
It is essential to recognize that rabbits lack paw pads, unlike cats and dogs, which provide traction and grip on various surfaces. As a result, bare floors are hazardous, and uncarpeted stairs can be fatal.
Additionally, rabbits hop rather than walk, relying heavily on their front legs for landing, making slippery surfaces a significant threat to their safety.
Slippery surfaces can lead to slips, falls, and even fractures, particularly given the fragile nature of rabbits' bones compared to those of cats and dogs.
This vulnerability is attributed to their lighter bone structure and lower overall bone density relative to their body weight, rendering them more susceptible to injuries such as fractures, especially from accidental falls or mishandling.
Furthermore, the thin padding on their paws, combined with a natural distrust of slippery surfaces, exacerbates the problem.
Hard floors can also cause sore hocks, a common condition in rabbits, and slippery floors can aggravate arthritis in older and bigger rabbits.
Slippery floors can contribute to and potentially worsen splay leg in rabbits, a condition characterized by a rabbit's legs splaying outward, often due to weak joints or congenital issues.
Slippery surfaces can hinder rabbits' ability to maintain proper posture, placing additional stress on their joints and potentially leading to splay leg or exacerbating an existing condition.
Rabbits born with weaker joints are predisposed to splay leg, and slippery floors can worsen this condition, causing the splay to deteriorate or become permanent.
To prevent splay leg, it is crucial to provide rabbits with surfaces offering good traction, such as textured mats, blankets, or rugs.
If a rabbit exhibits signs of splay leg please consult a veterinarian experienced in rabbit as soon as possible.
It is our responsibility to ensure their wellbeing as they rely solely on us for care.
Thank you π