Sore Hocks: Spotting and Treating Pododermatitis
Sore hocks, or pododermatitis, are pressure sores on the underside of a rabbit's back feet caused by hard flooring, damp, and excess weight. Caught early they are very manageable. Learn how to spot the early stages, fix the causes, and know when a vet is needed.
Quick answer
Sore hocks (pododermatitis) are pressure sores that develop on the underside of a rabbit's hind feet, usually the hock area it rests on. They are caused by pressure, hard or wire flooring, damp bedding and excess weight. Early stages — thinning fur and pink skin — are very manageable at home with better flooring and weight control, but broken, ulcerated or infected skin needs a vet.
Sore hocks, or pododermatitis, are pressure sores on the underside of a rabbit's back feet caused by hard flooring, damp, and excess weight.
What sore hocks are
Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits do not have protective paw pads; they rest on a furred surface on the underside of the foot. When that fur is worn away by constant pressure on a hard surface, the skin underneath becomes exposed, inflamed and eventually broken. It typically affects the hind feet and can affect both sides.
Because it develops gradually, many owners miss the early stage. That is a shame, because early sore hocks are one of the most reversible rabbit problems if you act on the causes.
Early signs to look for
Check the underside of both hind feet about once a month. Early on you will see fur thinning over the hock and slightly pink or reddened skin. As it progresses you may find calloused, hairless patches, scabs, open sores, swelling, or the rabbit shifting its weight or reluctant to move. A rabbit in pain may sit hunched, eat less, or become grumpy when handled.
Gently check the underside of the back feet monthly for thinning fur, redness or sores.
What causes it — and how to fix each cause
Sore hocks are almost always about the environment and body condition, so treatment means changing those:
- Flooring: replace wire or hard floors with soft, dry surfaces — thick fleece, deep clean hay, or padded mats. Give a soft resting area the rabbit chooses to sit on.
- Damp: wet or dirty bedding softens skin and speeds sores. Keep bedding bone-dry and spot-clean daily; humidity in Hong Kong and Taiwan means bedding can stay damp longer, so check it more often and use a dehumidifier or good airflow.
- Weight: an overweight rabbit puts more pressure on the hocks. Work with your vet on a safe hay-based diet.
- Activity: rabbits that cannot move enough rest in one spot too long. Provide space and encourage gentle exercise.
Soft, dry, padded flooring — never bare wire — protects the hocks from pressure sores.
Treatment and recovery
Mild cases often improve with environmental changes alone. If the skin is broken or infected, a vet may clean the area, provide dressings, pain relief and, if needed, treat infection. Never apply human creams or bandage tightly yourself — rabbit skin is fragile and the wrong dressing can worsen things. Recovery can be slow because the rabbit keeps standing on the area, so patience and consistent soft, clean flooring are essential.
Quick FAQs
Are sore hocks an emergency? Early thinning fur is not an emergency but should be acted on. Broken, ulcerated, swollen or infected skin does need a vet promptly.
Can I treat sore hocks at home? Early cases respond well to soft, dry flooring and weight control. Once skin is broken or infected, a vet must be involved.
Which rabbits get sore hocks most? Heavy and large breeds, rex-coated rabbits, overweight or inactive rabbits, and any rabbit kept on hard or wire flooring.
Will the fur grow back? In mild cases fur often recovers once pressure and damp are removed. Severe, scarred cases may leave permanently thin areas that need ongoing soft bedding.