Why Your Pet Rabbit Is Limping

In this guide

A rabbit that suddenly favours one leg or hops awkwardly is telling you something is wrong, even if it is still eating and behaving normally otherwise. Rabbits hide pain well, so limping, once it becomes visible, usually deserves a same-day look rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Common causes

• Sore hocks (pododermatitis): pressure sores on the bottom of the feet, often linked to hard flooring, obesity, or insufficient bedding.
• Fractures: rabbits have surprisingly fragile bones for their size, and a fall, an awkward jump, or being dropped can cause a break.
• Sprains and strains: soft tissue injuries from an awkward landing or a scuffle with another rabbit.
• Arthritis: increasingly common in older rabbits, causing stiffness and reluctance to move rather than a dramatic limp.
• Torn or overgrown nails: a snagged nail can cause sudden, sharp lameness.
• Abscesses or infections: from a bite, scratch or puncture wound.

First aid at home

Restrict movement to a small, confined space to prevent further injury, check the feet and legs gently for obvious wounds, swelling or heat, and avoid handling the rabbit more than necessary. Do not attempt to splint a suspected fracture yourself.

When it is an emergency

A rabbit that cannot bear weight at all, cries out, drags a leg, has visible swelling or deformity, or stops eating alongside the limping needs urgent veterinary care rather than a routine appointment.

Preventing sore hocks and joint strain

Soft, thick bedding rather than bare wire or hard flooring, a healthy weight, and regular nail trims all reduce the risk of the two most common causes of limping in otherwise healthy rabbits.

Handling an injured rabbit safely

Support the hindquarters fully with one hand and the chest with the other whenever you lift a rabbit, and avoid this altogether if a fracture or spinal injury is suspected, since an awkward hold can worsen the injury. If a rabbit needs to be moved for a vet visit, sliding a towel underneath it and lifting the towel as a sling is often safer than direct handling.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Once a vet has diagnosed the cause, most rabbits need a period of restricted movement in a small, calm space to heal properly, followed by a gradual return to normal activity rather than an abrupt one. Rushing a rabbit back to full exercise before healing is complete is a common reason for re-injury, so following the vet's timeline closely, even once the rabbit seems to be moving normally again, gives the best long-term outcome.

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