How do I tell the difference between normal molting and abnormal hair loss in my rabbit?

Rabbits molt 2–4 times per year in seasonal waves; heavy but uniform shedding is normal, but patchy hair loss, bald spots, or skin irritation alongside shedding indicates a health problem requiring veterinary attention.

Understanding your rabbit's molt cycle is essential for two reasons: normal heavy molts can be alarming to new owners, and abnormal hair loss is easy to miss when dismissed as "just molting."

The rabbit molt cycle
Rabbits typically have two major molts (spring and autumn) and two minor ones. The pattern often progresses from the head backward across the body. During a heavy molt, you may find clumps of fur throughout the enclosure — this is normal.

What normal heavy molt looks like
- Consistent coat thinning moving in a visible wave from nose toward tail
- New short fur visible behind the shedding line
- No skin changes underneath
- No behavioral changes apart from possible mild digestive sensitivity from ingested fur

8 causes of abnormal hair loss
1. Fur mites (Cheyletiella parasitovorax): dandruff-like flakes, dorsal hair loss, mild itch — visible with magnifying glass as moving white specks ("walking dandruff")
2. Ringworm (dermatophytosis): circular bald patches with crusty edges, can spread to humans
3. Barbering: a bonded rabbit pulling fur off the other — often stress-related
4. Self-barbering: from boredom or obsessive-compulsive behavior
5. Hormonal imbalance: patchy loss in unspayed does — uterine disease connection
6. Mange (Sarcoptes): intense scratching, crusty skin, not just fur loss
7. Syphilis (Treponema cuniculi): crusty lesions around nose, lips, genitals
8. Stress-related alopecia: diffuse thinning from chronic stress or pain

Grooming during heavy molt
Daily grooming with a soft brush or grooming glove significantly reduces the risk of GI stasis from ingested fur. Long-haired breeds (Angora, Lionhead) require daily grooming year-round.

Record molt start and end dates in Flovvi's health journal. Over time, you'll build a seasonal shedding map for your rabbit and catch when "just molting" is actually something more.