It’s a question that has perplexed many a bunny lover – do rabbits have paw pads? The answer, as it turns out, is both yes and no. While rabbits definitely have tough, leathery skin on their feet, they don’t typically have any sort of protruding pad like dogs or cats do.
This doesn’t mean they can’t walk on surfaces that would be too rough for other animals – their hard foot surface allows them to tread easily on concrete and asphalt without injuring themselves.
So the next time you’re wondering how your bunny is managing just fine on that prickly lawn, remember that they’ve got those tough paw pads to help them out!
Do rabbits have paw pads?
No. Officially rabbits only have one pad on their front feet and two pads on their back feet, none of which are raised above the surface. However some very rare cases of polydactyly (extra toes) have been documented in rabbits – a few members of the castor family even have extra toes that resemble “thumbs” or “paw pads”.
Why Rabbits Don’t Have Paw Pads
Domestication or overbreeding
Rabbit hair in the wild is a grayish coloration that helps them blend into earthy surroundings. However, domestication or overbreeding has caused rabbits to come in a wide range of colors from black to white and even orange! Anyone who has owned a rabbit can tell you that their paws are incredibly soft and actually feel more similar to a cat’s paw pads than a dog’s, except for the fact that they don’t have those cute little pad things.
Rabbit feet are not typically very large as their hind legs tend to be larger and more muscular. Their feet are actually delicate enough that you should handle them with care as most rabbits will prefer not to have their feet held. They are not very flexible creatures.
While rabbits don’t typically have any sort of protrusion on their feet, they do have one large curved nail that is used for grooming. Some owners may notice unsheathed claws or other foot abnormalities but this should be brought to a vet’s attention immediately as it could mean your pet is in pain.
Plantigrade and Digitigrade
It’s strange to have a pet that walks on two legs. It’s even stranger when you find out it doesn’t have paws, but hands. In fact, rabbits are plantigrade animals—that means they walk flat-footed like us humans!
To better understand why rabbits don’t have paw pads, we should explore the different ways animals walk.
An animal that walks on its toes (digitigrade) is called a digitigrade animal. This means they point all their toes downward and leave the impression of walking on their “fingertips.” Animal species that are entirely digitigrade tend to be predators such as wolves, foxes, and cats.
An animal that walks on the flats of its feet (plantigrade) is called a plantigrade animal. This means they point all their toes forward and leave the impression of walking flat-footed like us humans! Animal species that are entirely plantigrade tend to be grazing animals such as cattle, pigs, and deer.
Rabbits lie somewhere in between being plantigrade and digitigrade. This means they rest on the middle of their paw pads to absorb the shock when hopping, but also have a slight inclination in their toes to help them run faster. This is why rabbits are so fast!
Thick Fur Pads on The Feet
Rabbits don’t have paw pads, but they do have a special thick fur on their feet that helps them from slipping when hopping from place to place. It is a good thing that rabbits don’t need to grip the ground in order to run because they are extremely fast! The only time you might notice a rabbit fall is if it’s running too fast to see and they run into a wall.
Fun Facts about Rabbit paw pads
Rabbit pads are made of thick, tough skin that is capable of easily standing up to the pressure placed on it by its weight. The bottom of a rabbit’s foot is often likened to a “V” shaped wedge with the point being the toes and front nails while the wide flat part is the durable pad.
Feel And Touch
There is a tough, leathery texture in place in lieu of a pad and it is this surface that prevents rabbits from sliding around in the snow when they are at play or from being injured from walking on rough ground or nails when they forage outside. If you have ever touched your rabbit’s feet then chances are his pads felt like hard leather, like the soles of your own shoes.
Rabbits do feel Pain
While it is said that rabbits do not possess any sort of “cushion” on their feet, keep in mind that this does not mean they can’t feel pain when walking across rough surfaces. They may become used to such surfaces over time but even then their soles will always be thicker than the bottoms of their paws.
Rabbits may not have pads on their feet but they still enjoy a relaxing pamper session just like any other pet.
Rabbit pad nails
Rabbit’s nails grow continuously and become sharp when left un-trimmed, so regular clipping is necessary in order to prevent the sharp points from snagging on items and causing injury.
The claws themselves should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from curling into the soft, fleshy pads that make up a rabbit’s foot.
Remember that a rabbit will not let you know if he is in pain from cutting his nails. They often fidget and do their best to break free and hide their discomfort. Be sure to hold your bunny securely and make the process as quick and painless as possible.
Rabbit’s feet also need a regular pamper session in order to prevent skin conditions such as bumblefoot, dermatitis or wire-haired foot syndrome from developing. If you cannot groom your bunny.
What are the Paw Pads for?
Grab and hold objects
The rabbit’s paw pads are the soft skin on the bottom of their feet. Their paws are used to grab, hold and grasp objects. They also help with balance and movement across surfaces (both flat and vertical).
Provide support for the back legs
When rabbits sit or lie down they will often tuck their front paws under themselves which helps provide support for the back legs. Paw pads also help provide a protective barrier from foreign objects and surfaces that can cause injury.
Jump
The footpad will often be compared to the inside of a dog’s paw. It is used for all the same reasons as a dog’s paw, but rabbits need it more because they are not as capable of leaping from high distances. They tend to have very poor depth perception, so they tend to fall from surfaces even when they are doing their best to jump.
The Problem of Sore Hocks in Rabbits
Rabbit pads are similar to the inside of a dog’s paw, but they need it more because rabbits have very poor depth perception.
When rabbits jump or run on rough surfaces, their footpads will eventually become injured and sore. This condition is known as “sore hocks”.
Common Causes for Sore Hocks in rabbits
There are many causes for sore hocks including the following:
Rough surfaces that are too abrasive. – A rabbit running or hopping on a slippery surface without being able to gain proper footing. – Rabbit’s not being allowed outside to graze, which can lead to malnutrition.
When sore hocks are left untreated the condition will become progressively worse and cause open sores to form which are vulnerable to infection.
Symptoms of sore hocks in rabbits
Symptoms of sore hocks in rabbits may include any or all of the following:
1) Rabbit is unwilling to jump.
2) The feet are splayed outwards when the rabbit sits and on inspection, there is no muscle tone on either side of their crotch (where the hind legs meet).
3) The rabbit exhibits a reluctance to move or walk, so the hind legs must be picked up and moved from underneath to encourage movement.
4) When standing, sore hocks causes a rabbit’s weight to shift towards their front paws as they lean forward for balance. This can cause an odd posture as the rabbit leans forward as if it has a round back.
5) The flesh around the hocks can become red and inflamed, with pus and swelling (inflammation or abscess).
6) Open sores may appear as a result of damage to the footpads and skin which gets infected.
7) Skin around sore hocks becomes dry and scaly.
8) The rabbit is unwilling to sit on its hindquarters.
Treatment and Cure
There are many ways to treat and cure sore hocks. Some of these include:
– Gently massage some paw wax or petroleum jelly into the feet once a day (this is especially helpful if you notice your rabbit licking his feet, which can help prevent infections). – Applying an antiseptic cream to prevent infection. – Trimming the nails.
– Provide a soft bedding surface: straw, hay, shredded paper – avoid cedar and pine shavings.
– Invest in some pedicure clippers for your pet: you can often purchase these online or at a local pet store and they will let you know how to correctly cut and trim your rabbit’s nails.
– Limit exercise on hard surfaces.
– Ensure that your rabbit is able to graze at all times.
With proper protection, prevention and treatment, sore hocks are easily manageable. It’s important to understand that if you notice any type of lesion or open wound on your rabbit’s feet you should seek a veterinarian’s assistance.
How to Make Sure Your Rabbit Remains Safe from Sore Hocks? – Prevention Tips
Soft Bedding
To prevent sore hocks from forming, you should always provide a soft bedding material. Straw, hay and shredded paper are all great options to use as bunny litter. If you have been noticing that your rabbit is licking his feet a lot, then this may be a sign of sore hocks already beginning to form.
Apply Wax or Petroleum jelly
In order to help keep the feet healthy and free of infection, apply a small amount of paw wax or petroleum jelly to the bottom of your rabbit’s feet. If you are not sure how often rabbits need their nails clipped, then it may be best to ask your veterinarian for advice on this topic.
Keep a check regularly
Keep a check on your rabbit’s feet regularly to catch any problems early on before the condition becomes worse. If you do notice that sore hocks are forming, then take steps immediately to keep the condition under control. You should contact our veterinarian if the problem worsens or persists beyond 48 hours, as treatment may require antibiotics and other medications. While it can be difficult to keep a rabbit from walking on hard surfaces, limiting exercise when it’s best for the feet is important. If your rabbit is kept in an area with hard floors, then scatter some hay or other type of bedding material over the floor so that your pet has something softer to walk on.
Rabbit paw anatomy
Parts of rabbit paw anatomy are:
1. sole
2. wrist (distal radius and ulna)
3. metacarpus
4. paw pads
5. nails (unguals)
The anatomy of a rabbit’s paw is as follows: The sole of the foot is soft, thick and covered with hair on top and furless underneath; it provides support for part of the front leg while the wrist provides an attachment for ligaments and tendons, which in turn give stability to the foot.
The bottom surface is covered with short grayish-brown fur, while the rest of it is covered by black hair on top; its sole has sweat glands that secrete fluid at regular intervals. The furless surface of the sole helps prevent slipping on wet or smooth surfaces.
The front paw pads lack fur on the bottom and its shape is triangular with a rounded point; they are covered by black, grayish-brown hair on top, which also covers the rest of the front paws except for their wrist joints which are covered by white hair.
The claws are yellow or white and grow continuously. To prevent them from curling into the soft, fleshy pads that make up a rabbit’s foot they should be trimmed regularly.
Two short bones known as metacarpal bones support the wrist joint which is protected by two long bones called radius and ulna; these attach to the two bones of the foreleg. The metacarpal bones are covered with muscles that provide movement, while tendons give stability to the wrist joint.
Five long toes support each front paw which have sharp nails on the tips called unguals; these are used for both balance and traction by rabbits when they walk.
The hind paws have four toes that support the limb, each toe has a thick, strong nail known as an ungual. The nails on the hind feet are not used for walking but for gripping and scratching during grooming time or to get their footing while hopping about.
Of all the usual skeletal components found in a rabbit’s body, only two bones of a rabbit’s front paws do not resemble the same bones found in most other mammals. This is because they have evolved to give them a greater range of movement for hopping and running.
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Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. There, she worked as a small animal veterinarian, seeing cats, dogs, and of course her favorite patients – rabbits! In the last few years, Dr. Cameron has been working as a locum vet while she concentrates on raising her two young daughters. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there.