Some rabbits have a weird bulge beneath their chin that resembles a double chin. This big pouch of fur is the dewlap. You might ask, “do Holland lops have dewlaps? If you’re considering getting one.
This article explains rabbit dewlaps and focuses on Holland lops double chin, including:
- Why Does My Holland Lop Have a Double Chin?
- Is It Normal For Rabbits To Have a Double Chin?
- Does a Rabbit Dewlap Go Away?
- How To Get Rid of a Rabbit’s Dewlap?
Why Does My Holland Lop Have a Double Chin?
A dewlap is the skin fold hanging from a rabbit’s neck under the lower jaw resembling a double chin. The dewlap is particularly prominent in female rabbits not spayed early. It can range from a modest bump beneath the rabbit’s chin to a large pillow around its neck. Male rabbits may develop tiny dewlaps as well.
Female rabbits produce dewlaps to aid in making a nest for their young. When a rabbit is pregnant, it builds a nest for its upcoming pups. The doe will pull their fur from the dewlap and their forelegs and chest to provide more material for the nest.
It can be unsettling to observe a rabbit pulling at her fur. Still, there’s nothing to worry about if you see this activity in an unspayed rabbit. However, the rabbit should not lose so much hair from her dewlap that it becomes bald.
All rabbits are born with the ability to generate a dewlap, which grows in size as they mature. On the other hand, Dewlaps are more common in some breeds than others, and females have them more than males.
Larger rabbit breeds have more dewlaps than smaller varieties. For example, the dewlaps of the largest rabbit breed, the Flemish Giants, are very striking. Dewlaps are also more common in rabbits with looser skin, such as lop-eared rabbits. Large, floppy ears distinguish these rabbits.
The dewlaps of lop rabbits are considerably larger than those of other rabbits. Thus, Holland Lops, a smaller breed with lop ears and loose skin, are more likely to acquire huge dewlaps than certain other breeds and less likely than others. However, dewlaps are far more prone to form in large lose-skinned rabbits like French Lops than in Holland Lops.
A rabbit’s diet and physical activity also influence the size of its dewlap. So, as a rabbit grows larger and fatter, more fat appears to accumulate in the flap below its chin.
Is It Normal For Rabbits To Have a Double Chin?
A dewlap in a female rabbit is, in general, a perfectly typical and healthy characteristic. A dewlap is not present in a female rabbit at birth, and it won’t develop a dewlap until it is sexually mature. Though the dewlap will start to grow at that point, it will be another year or two before the skin fold reaches full size.
Around four to six months of age, most rabbit breeds reach sexual maturity. If the rabbit is not spayed by then, the dewlap will emerge and gradually grow in size over the next few years. Genetics plays a considerable part in the doe’s dewlap size. As a result, it could be very little or big and pillow-like in size.
When a rabbit becomes pregnant or has a fake pregnancy, the dewlap may clearly grow in size. However, this isn’t always the case. So, suppose a dewlap appears to be growing too rapidly. In that case, it is best to have it examined by a veterinarian to rule out any malignant tumors.
Remarkably, not all female rabbits appear to have Dewlaps. The absence is sometimes because the rabbit breed in question does not have huge dewlaps. Dewlaps are generally smaller in smaller rabbit breeds. They can be so small that you don’t even notice they’re there.
Male bunnies can have a dewlap too, but it is rarely as prominent as the dewlap on female bunnies. Still, when they are overweight, it is more noticeable. When a male rabbit gains weight, this fatty tissue under the jawline and neck develops up in the chin. The fat builds up, and the skin becomes more elastic, forming a dewlap.
Does a Rabbit Dewlap Go Away?
Spaying a rabbit can prevent a dewlap from forming, so if your rabbit was spayed while they were young (under a year), they might only have a slight dewlap.
In most cases, after neutering the rabbit, the dewlap will not shrink automatically; instead, it will slow down and stop growing. So, if you fix your rabbit between six months and one year, it won’t acquire much dewlap.
Therefore, the only other acceptable strategy to lose weight and reduce the dewlap size is to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine.
How To Get Rid of a Rabbit’s Dewlap?
There are a few health risks linked with particularly large dewlaps. Therefore, discuss any health concerns you have regarding your bunny’s dewlap with your veterinarian, as well as the best course of action for helping your rabbit. In addition, there are a few things you can do if your rabbit’s dewlap is bothering them.
The first step is to determine whether or not the rabbit is overweight. Dewlaps can also increase in size as your rabbit gains weight. If you can’t feel their ribs when you run your hands down their sides, it’s time to change your rabbit’s diet with healthy feeding and activity. For example, it may be time to give up the sweets and low fiber starchy vegetables. Hopefully, the dewlap will decrease as well.
In extreme circumstances, veterinarians may prescribe surgery to lessen the size of the dewlap and help your rabbit live a happier, healthier life. Surgery may seem overly drastic, but some rabbits have been bred to have extremely large dewlaps. Therefore, the procedure can significantly improve their quality of life.
Dewlaps and Health Issues
A large dewlap may cause the following health problems for a rabbit:
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Inadequate Grooming
If your rabbit’s dewlap has become more prominent than usual due to being overweight, you should be concerned. Obesity makes it difficult for rabbits to groom themselves and access various parts of their body.
When your rabbits cannot groom properly, leftover food and debris are more likely to become trapped in the folds of their dewlap. Bacterial growth will quickly take hold in these locations, resulting in infections and other health problems.
The Solution
If your rabbit’s dewlap has become more prominent due to their obesity, you should put them on a diet as soon as possible. The diet should consist of more hay than pellets or veggies.
It will also help if you learn how to groom your pet till their dewlap shrinks. Regular grooming will protect your bunny’s body and keep it from becoming matted or unclean, especially during shedding season.
2. Developing Wet Dewlaps
The moisture that remains in your rabbit’s dewlap can irritate the skin. It can potentially become infected over time, resulting in health problems for your dog. In elderly female rabbits, there is a prevalence of moist dermatitis and skin fold dermatitis. It can cause your rabbits’ skin to become extremely itchy. They appear as sagging skin beneath your rabbit’s chin. This area accumulates water and takes a long time to dry.
Infection is most likely the cause of your rabbit’s red or painful dewlap. These wounds will attract flies and other insects, laying eggs in the region and putting your bunny’s health at risk. As a result, it is always best to seek professional medical treatment as soon as possible.
The following factors can make the dewlap to be wet:
- Water bottles that keep leaking
- Your rabbits may slobber or salivate excessively due to dental problems.
- Living situations that are unhealthy
- Obesity
How to Avoid wet dewlaps
Early detection of your rabbit’s wet dewlap will allow you to provide them with the appropriate care and avoid significant health issues.
First, consult with a vet to discuss your options. Typically, the fur around the dewlap is shaved to allow the skin folds to dry thoroughly. They might also give you antibiotic powders and tell you how to keep the dewlap dry.
Here are some additional suggestions to help your bunnies avoid this excruciating ordeal:
- Ascertain that the water bottles do not leak.
- Trim the dewlap’s fur regularly.
- Keep the rabbit’s cage clean and sanitary at all times.
- Discard wet beddings promptly.
- To avoid oral issues, provide a plentiful supply of hay.
Conclusions
Due to their charming and friendly temperament, the Holland Lop is one of the most popular rabbit breeds. If you are asking,” Do Holland lops have dewlaps?” Holland lops double chin or dewlaps are a regular feature of female rabbits. As long as the rabbit does not have health problems related to dewlaps, you don’t have to worry.