Images of rabbits with paw pads appear on the internet regularly, and we take them to be accurate. Has the question, “Do Rabbits Have Paw Pads?” ever occurred to you? If not, you should. Or are these pictures attempting to deceive us into believing in some fallacy? Rabbits do not have paw pads, and this is the plain and simple solution to your inquiry.
A large number of pet owners are completely unaware of the fact that rabbits do not have paw pads. Lack of knowledge about this crucial aspect often results in health repercussions for the rabbit. And we do not want that, thus in this article, you will learn about everything you need to know regarding the lack of paw pads in a rabbit, the repercussions, and the solution.
The paw, as we all know, is among the morphological characteristics that all mammalians share. However, one mammal’s paw is generally different from the other mammals. These distinctions are purely due to how they were developed. Catclaw, for example, is structured for stealth, whereas dog paw is meant for speed.
Do rabbits have Paw pads?
Rabbits are the only mammal species without paw pads, which is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. They have a thick fur coat instead of paw pads, which is one of the primary reasons you should examine your pet rabbit’s paws frequently because it is difficult to spot any problems that may be present otherwise.
Before we move to the problems and the solutions, it is pertinent to understand what a paw pad is and why the lack of it can result in health issues. Let us take a look.
What is a Paw Pad?
A paw pad is a thin layer of skin that serves as a sole for an animal’s paws. The aim of paw pads, sometimes called footpads, is to cushion the foot. It has a hairless outermost layer and collagen beneath it, as well as fat tissues.
The paw pad’s fatty tissues absorb shocks, ensuring that the foot is not injured. The paw pads make sure that the animal lands gently while moving or landing. Paw pads also help shield the paws from several injuries.
So, what keeps a rabbit’s paws safe and protected? Rabbits, as previously stated, have a fur coat in place of paw pads, and it is this thick blanket of fur that shields rabbits from any injuries caused by jumping or moving around. In addition to the thick fur, rabbit nails are incredibly sharp, which further provides them stability.
Rabbit paws have been created for agility and mobility as they move on their toes, also commonly known as digitigrades. As the rabbit flees from predators, the movement needs to be very quiet, and thus, the thick fur coat ensures the same.
Even though the lack of paw pads in rabbits is an evolutionary change that ensures an easy escape from predators, the layer of fur in its place fails to protect them from injuries
Let us now look at the issues that a rabbit may encounter due to the absence of paw pads.
What are the various paw issues that a Rabbit might have?
It is a widespread practice amongst rabbit owners to keep their pet rabbits in a rabbit’s cage, which has a rough surface and the potential to harm a rabbit’s paw. Most rabbits suffer problems such as Ulcerative Colitis, Pododermatitis, and Sore Hock is one of the major causes for this. These paw issues are a result of a rabbit walking on rough surfaces.
Sore hock, which tops amongst paw problems in rabbits, is often mistaken by rabbit owners for a paw, leading to no timely treatment of the issue and further infestation. This disease can be dealt with if treated in the right manner and at the right time, whereas it can have severe repercussions in the long run.
Mildly inflamed hocks can provide excellent infection sites as they are constantly in contact with urine and feces. This is why it is critical to examine your pet rabbit’s paw on a regular basis to ensure that everything is fine.
When you have a pet rabbit, there are signals and instructions you can teach your pet rabbit in order to guarantee that their paws are always in good shape.
Sore hock comes along with specific physical symptoms, which can be easily avoided or treated in time if kept an eye out for. This disease occurs in stages. The sooner the rabbit’s paws are treated, the better the outcome for the rabbit’s paws. Below are some of the stages of Sore Hock.
Stage 1 – Loss of fur from underneath the paw
This stage is easily treatable if caught in time. There is severe fur loss from the fur pad in this stage, which gives an impression that the rabbit has a paw pad. This is where most rabbit owners go wrong, as they do not have the requisite knowledge about the lack of paw pads in rabbits.
When the issue worsens, the paw of the rabbit gets sore, and its movement gets affected. If due care is provided to the rabbit’s paw, the problem can easily be reversed.
Stage 2 – Visible Sores
When the previous stage goes undetected, it leads to the development of scabs and ulcerations. This results in severe pain to the rabbit while moving, and due to which movement gets restrained. If not addressed in time, this condition quickly deteriorates.
Stage 3 – Inflammation on Leg Tissue
This stage is easy to detect as the rabbit more or less stops moving due to the severe amount of pain that it goes through. There is also severe swelling in the rabbit’s legs.
Ulcerative Pododermatitis
Ulcerative Pododermatitis, which is commonly known as Severe Sore Hock, affects the movement of a rabbit to a considerable extent. It is the direct result of poor care of one’s rabbit. At this stage, it becomes very difficult to treat the rabbit and make it feel uncomfortable. Due to poor health, you may find your rabbit sad or depressed.
Sore hock could be a direct result of many reasons, the knowledge of which is necessary to ensure that it can be avoided. Please take a look at the top causes of sore hocks that we have mentioned below.
Skeleton Issue
Rabbits that have arthritis due to which they have an improper posture end up putting a lot of pressure on the rabbit’s paws, which leads to the development of sore hocks.
Make sure you take your rabbit to the vet for regular health check-ups. Skeleton issues such as arthritis can be managed if treated at the right time. You can also add specific cushiony soft material on the floor to make your pet rabbit’s movement more comfortable.
Obesity
As we have mentioned before, too much weight can be an issue for a rabbit’s paw, and thus obesity in rabbits is a major cause of sore hock. This can be avoided by feeding your rabbit the correct quantity of rabbit food.
Further, make sure you do not just end up locking your bunny in the rabbit cage all day long. Just like a dog, a rabbit needs its fair share of exercise too. Ensure that you meet your rabbit’s daily exercise requirements.
Wrong Flooring
Another common mistake made by rabbit owners is zeroing down on the wrong flooring for their cage. A rabbit cage with metal or wire flooring is rough and causes sore hock in the paw of a rabbit. It is advisable to choose a smoother surface for your rabbits, such as wood or plastic. You can further layer the floor with some soft material to make it more comfortable for your little rabbit. You could also use paw balm on your little bunny.
How to Care for Your Rabbit’s Feet
Are you looking to pamper your bunny? Checking the soles of your bunny’s feet frequently to ensure that sores are not developing could help avoid that.
Be sure to observe the back legs in detail. If you are seeing fur, then your rabbit’s paws are in good condition and are not likely to deteriorate. You could see a callus if there’s no fur.
While calluses aren’t infectious on their own, they can turn into an infection. If your rabbit has a callus and it doesn’t heal properly, it may grow back to be misshapen. Have a cushioned space in your home for your rabbit to rest on. Check his calluses often.
If you discover a swollen, bleeding, red bump, it must be treated promptly. Your veterinarian should provide you with guidance, after which you should do the following steps:
- Use a soapy water footbath to wash your rabbit’s feet.
- After washing and drying your rabbit’s feet, rinse them with an antiseptic solution.
- Apply a bacterial antibiotic ointment on the cut.
- For significant injuries, you may need to bandage it.To expedite the healing process, lay a mat down in the rabbit’s cage.
Conclusion
As now we know, rabbits do not have paw pads, and the owners must learn about this as much as possible to ensure that they can provide their beloved rabbit with the best care.
As a rabbit owner, always be on the lookout for sore hocks and make sure you inculcate all we talked about above to ensure that your bunny has a long healthy life.
We will be back with another informative pet care article. Until then, take care of yourself and your fur baby for us.
