Rabbit Sore Hocks: Treatment and Prevention of This Common Condition

What Are Sore Hocks in Rabbits?

Sore hocks (ulcerative pododermatitis) are painful pressure sores on the bottom of a rabbit's hind feet — particularly the hock area (equivalent to the heel in humans). In the early stage, fur is lost and the skin becomes red. Left untreated, the skin breaks down into open sores that become infected. In severe cases, infection penetrates into the underlying bone (osteomyelitis) and can be very difficult to resolve.

The primary cause is inappropriate flooring: wire-bottomed cages, rough concrete, or any surface that creates constant pressure points on unpadded feet. Overweight rabbits, large breeds, and rabbits with thin foot fur (Rex rabbits) are especially susceptible.

First 3 Steps When Sore Hocks Are Found

1. Change the flooring immediately: Remove all wire flooring. Provide thick, soft flooring throughout — interlocking foam tiles covered with fleece, thick carpet samples, or wooden board with blanket covering. This is the single most important step and must happen regardless of other treatment.
2. Assess severity: Early-stage (fur loss, redness, no open sore) can be managed at home with flooring change and monitoring. Any open sore requires veterinary treatment — antibiotics and wound care to prevent deep infection.
3. Reduce pressure on the affected feet: Limit access to hard surfaces, provide multiple soft resting spots, and keep the rabbit as active as possible (movement improves blood flow and healing).

When to Go to the Vet Immediately

• Any open, bleeding, or infected sore on the feet
• Rabbit is lame or reluctant to move
• Swelling of the leg or foot alongside hock sores

Follow-Up Care Checklist

• Continue soft flooring permanently — this is not a temporary fix
• For overweight rabbits, weight management reduces pressure on the hocks significantly
• Check feet weekly after treatment to confirm healing and prevent recurrence
• Long-haired and Rex rabbits need more frequent foot checks — their foot fur profile makes them very vulnerable

Track Hock Health with TailRounds

Log weekly foot checks, noting any redness or fur loss changes, in the TailRounds Daily Log. Early detection prevents progression to open sores.

Book a Vet Appointment

Any open sore on a rabbit's foot requires veterinary care. Book at Happy Paws for wound assessment and appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Summary for Your Clinic Visit

Describe the sore hock severity (redness only, open sore, infection signs), the current flooring situation, the rabbit's breed and weight, and any previous treatment attempted.