Do Rabbits Have Paw Pads?

Whether you’re a new rabbit owner or simply a bunny enthusiast, you’ll likely agree that almost every single aspect of these furry friends is adorable. 

But if you’ve ever looked at their paws, you may be surprised by what you see regarding their paw pads. 

Rabbits do not have paw pads on their feet, unlike what’s typically depicted in cartoons. Their paws are instead protected by a thicker layer of fur than what’s on their bodies. Wearing down of fur and some breeds with shorter fur are more prone to foot injuries due to a lack of protection. 

Let’s take a deeper look at this topic and what it means for you as a rabbit owner. 

Do Rabbits Have Paw Pads?

As mentioned above, no, rabbits don’t have paw pads like other animals such as dogs and cats do. 

The reason for variation in paw “design” is due to the evolutionary need of mammals. 

Dogs have paw pads for different reasons than cats, and rabbits don’t need the pads. 

They instead have a thicker layer of fur to help them out. 

Fun fact: Bunnies are considered the only “paw” mammal with no true paw pads.

Why Do Some Animals Have Paw Pads?

Paws are one of the common elements of all mammals, but all paws are slightly different from one another. 

This is due to the evolutionary needs of the animal. 

Paw pads are a fleshy, fur-less covering on the bottom of the paws. 

There are three main reasons an animal has paw pads, and the design of the specific paw pads highlights this need. 

The first is to protect the feet. It’s almost like a little shoe or slipper. 

Animals living in rough terrain have thicker and tougher foot pads to help prevent injury from rocks and other sharp objects. 

Foot pads also provide more traction and help with speed. 

Take a look at many predators who hunt or chase down their food, such as wild dog breeds or cheetahs. 

Finally, the paw pads are made of fatty tissue to absorb shock from jumping and relieve stress from the bones. 

This last one also doubles in helping with stealth, such as with cats. 

If you have a dog and cat, inspect their paw pads to see if you can tell how the different shapes may affect the animal (or take a look here). 

Why Don’t Rabbits Have Paw Pads?

After reading the above section, you may wonder why the rabbit doesn’t have paw pads. 

After all, don’t bunnies also want to travel fast and have protection from the elements?

Experts don’t know the exact answer, but there are a couple of key points highlighting why our fuzzy pets may not have fleshy pads. 

The typical environment isn’t as rocky. 

Most bunnies live in grassier environments eliminating the need for protection from sharp ground objects to a certain degree. 

A fur layer adds extra insulation. 

The pads are often a weaker spot on a mammal. 

My dog’s pads will burn and freeze in extreme temperatures making it tough on their feet. 

The fur on a rabbit’s foot prevents this issue. 

They walk/run/hop in two different forms. 

Most mammals either run and move in plantigrade or digitigrade. 

Plantigrade is when animals move using the flat soles of their feet. 

Humans, bears, and dogs all move this way. 

Digitigrade is when an animal uses their toes (or digits) to propel its motion. 

Cats and hyenas are famous for this. 

This motion affects where the paw pads are on these animals. 

Rabbits move effortlessly in both forms.

Experts hypothesize a full-fur foot helps the rabbit switch between the two giving them a great balance of speed and dexterity for avoiding predators and changing directions instantly. 

Check out why your rabbit is walking instead of hopping. 

Problems With Rabbit Feet

If your bunny loses some fur or is a short-haired breed (like Oreo, my mini-rex), they may end up with some issues you need to be aware of. 

This section will discuss what to watch for, how to prevent, and how to care for these issues. 

Bald Patches

Sore hocks are a concern for rabbits. 

In time, it’ll cause some serious issues. 

The first stage of this is bald patches on the underside of your bunny’s feet. 

These are more common on the hind legs of your rabbit, and you’ll see the pink skin underneath the fur. 

Check to make sure their ground is soft, and watch these bald patches to make sure they don’t worsen. 

Inflamed Skin

The bunny’s skin will start to get inflamed through the bald patches and less commonly through the fur itself. 

This is an early stage of infection and irritation shown by red skin and other visible irritation. 

At this point, you’ll want to take your rabbit to the vet. 

They’ll cushion the feet and protect them while it heals. 

They may even prescribe other medications. 

If you’re an experienced owner, you may attempt to treat this yourself at this point. 

It hasn’t gotten too bad yet. 

We recommend always involving a vet at this step. 

They can check for other things which may be causing the irritation. 

Sores And Injuries

Whether from fur being worn off or stepping on something sharp, a rabbit may break its skin. 

This injury can develop into a more serious injury or sore. 

These are often open and bleeding. 

In some cases, it may turn a funny color, smell, or weep/leak puss. 

At this point, you need to get to the vet or animal hospital. 

Your pet’s paw needs to be wrapped and treated to prevent spreading infection.

Infection

In the worst cases, irritation, injury, and sores will get infected, and the infection will spread. 

This is when you’ll see a lot more of the common signs of illness, including: 

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Irritability
• Open sores or injuries
• Weight loss

Infection is a serious problem; go to the vet yesterday. 

The safest, fastest, and best way to treat the infection is with help and medication from a trained professional. 

In the wild, a rabbit is a goner at this point. It’s harsh but true. 

As a pet owner, we don’t write off our friends. Nor should we. 

But a vet is the only one with the expertise to help your furry companion through this difficult time. 

What Causes Problems With Rabbit Feet

Health issues and injuries with feet are called sore hocks.

It’s easy to prevent these issues in many cases; just be on the lookout for these risk factors. 

Poor Flooring

The first issue to watch for is poor flooring. 

Anything rough to the touch with uneven or sharp edges is a high-risk factor. 

Rocks, gravels, cement, and other such floors are a problem. 

In general, you want their flooring to resemble the earth as much as possible. 

Soft materials and dirt are great. 

This is also why you need to be careful with wire flooring, such as with a wheelbarrow style hutch. 

If you do use wire, make sure it’s soft coated with no sharp edges. 

Overweight

Believe it or not, being obese will also affect your rabbit’s feet (along with many other issues). 

Your poor bunny’s feet always bear the weight of their body. 

If your pet is heavier than it should be, it’ll wear harder on their feet than they would normally experience in the wild. 

This added stress may end up being hard on the bottoms of their feet. 

Always make sure they have a balanced diet for a healthy weight. 

Nutritional Imbalance

By a similar token, an unhealthy balance of diet will also cause skin and fur issues. 

In some cases, they may lose fur or develop thinner, more sensitive skin. 

Either way, your pet will be more likely to get sore hocks if you’re not careful. 

Always provide a healthy diet and ensure you don’t feed them too many treats. 

Rabbits need 80% grassy hay, 10% leafy greens, and 10% fiber pellets.

Treats such as vegetables, some fruits, and commercial rabbit treats are fine in small amounts. 

Don’t fall for the trap of feeding too many pellets, or they’ll become unbalanced. 

The same thing happens with well-meaning owners who give fresh veggies to their pets. 

Rabbits love veggies, but they need hay and grass far more. 

If you wonder if rabbits are omnivores, check out the link (including one surprising answer!).

Skeleton Problems/Age

As rabbits age, they get arthritis, just like people. 

Arthritis affects how bunnies walk and hop. 

It may make it, so they put extra pressure on certain limbs over others. 

This will wear down their paws and cause sore hocks. 

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to do to help at this point. 

Just be sure to keep up your good husbandry and trips to the vet. 

Lack Of Space

A lack of proper space to move will also cause problems. 

Without the chance to move a lot, you’d think their feet would be extra safe, but the opposite is true. 

If they don’t move a lot, they gain weight and get unhealthy. 

Without movement, their feet get softer and more sensitive. 

Give them lots of space to move around and be active. 

How To Prevent Foot Pad Injuries In Rabbits

We looked at what causes paw pad injuries; now, let’s look at what we need to stop them from happening. 

Protective Flooring

Make sure the flooring is soft, padded, or natural earth. 

Anything sharp or pokey is risky for your bunny friends. 

Check For Wear

Every time you play with your pet (hopefully several times per day!) give their paws a quick once over. 

Don’t pet them there. They don’t like it, but you should get a glance to see if there are bald patches or injuries. 

You may want to check our article on where rabbits like to be petted. 

Keep A Balanced Diet

Keep their diet healthy. 

Let them graze on grassy hay all day as much as they want. 

Then include a cup of leafy greens and some rabbit food fiber pellets. 

The exact amount of pellets depend on the brand and size of your pet. 

Use the directions on the food to guide you. 

We love this Small Pet Select rabbit food. It’s fresh, natural, packed with goodness, and ships right to your door. 

Disclaimer: Link is an affiliate with Amazon, but we do use it. 

Regular Vet Checkups

A regular vet checkup is a must for your bunny to reach a healthy life span with a good quality of life. 

We recommend going twice per year, but many vets are fine with once per year. 

Develop a good relationship with a doctor you trust and listen to their advice.

Clean Litter Box

Keep their litter box clean to prevent bacteria buildup. 

This may irritate their feet and speed along the infection process of sore hocks. 

A clean home is a healthy home. 

FAQ

Do rabbits have toes? – Rabbits have four toes on their back feet or hind feet for power. 

They have five toes on their front feet for more dexterity and scrubbing/grooming. 

What do rabbits generally eat? – Timothy hay, grass, and grassy hay are the staple food of the rabbit. 

Most natural plants are also safe, as are several veggies. 

Still, the bulk of their diet needs to be hay or grass. 

Learn if rabbits can eat broccoli rabe. 

Are rabbits smart? – It depends on what you mean by smarter. 

They’re smarter than most people think. 

Rabbits can solve simple puzzles and remember things. 

They respond to specific words and can be trained with simple tricks. 

However, they aren’t on par with other pets, such as dogs. 

How fast can rabbits run? – While it depends on the breed of rabbit, the generally accepted speed is somewhere between 25-45 mph.