What is a Dewlap? (Purpose Explained)

Thousands of years of evolution have given rabbits lots of interesting body adaptations. From ears that can be rotated through 270 degrees to pinpoint the location of a sound, to eye positioning which enables them to spot a predator over a mile away, each has a function to perform, but what about the dewlap? What is a dewlap and why do some rabbits have one?

A dewlap is a large roll of skin and fatty tissue that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of a rabbit. It is mainly found in female rabbits and forms when the rabbit reaches sexual maturity although male rabbits with high estrogen levels may also form a small dewlap.

Which Rabbit Breeds Have a Dewlap?

Dewlaps are commonly seen in larger female rabbit breeds and in some breeds are a requirement to meet breeding standards meaning rabbits such as Flemish giants and French lops are expected to have them.

Other breeds that are commonly seen with dewlaps are Giant Chinchilla, German Lops, and mini lops however the dewlap is not a requirement for these particular breeds.

Although seen as an important feature in some breeds, in others the presence of a dewlap may actually disqualify them from the competition. These include the Himalayan, Netherland Dwarf, and the Dwarf Hotot breeds.

Do Male Rabbits Have Dewlaps?

As the primary purpose of a dewlap is for pulling fur for making a nest, it is majority does that develop it. However, some male rabbits, particularly those with high estrogen can also develop a dewlap although they are typically less visible.

Male rabbits can be neutered between 8 and 12 weeks or when the testicles drop however neutering early before puberty has finished can result in a buck having a high level of estrogen. In this case, just as some human males can develop breast tissue, male rabbits can develop a dewlap.

What is a Dewlap Made Up of?

A dewlap mainly consists of fat and is, therefore, more pronounced in an overweight rabbit, however, rabbits do not necessarily need to be overweight to have a dewlap.

Although it may decrease in size, rabbits that have lost weight are not likely to lose their dewlap as a result.

Is My Rabbit Fat?

Not necessarily, rabbits do not necessarily need to be fat to have a dewlap. Although dewlaps may appear to be a sign of a fat or obese rabbit, this is not always the case.

Why Do Females Have Dewlaps?

Survival against the elements is key for rabbits and having a dewlap is one of the ways that a rabbits body prepares for pregnancy. When pregnant, her hormones go into overdrive, preparing frantically for the impending birth of her kits.

After creating her nest, she pulls fur out of her dewlap and carefully positions it as an insulating layer which will help keep her and the kits warm and cozy.

Put simply a dewlap gives a doe a convenient place to pull this fur without sacrificing it from places where it’s going to compromise her own warmth and comfort.

If a rabbit is female and has not been fixed her dewlap is also the means by which her body is preparing fat for milk production.

Does a Dewlap Mean a Rabbit is Unhealthy?

Although not all rabbits have dewlaps, they are themselves a perfectly natural part of rabbit anatomy and not an indication that an animal is unhealthy, however, an overweight rabbit with a large dewlap may have difficulty with self-grooming of certain areas.

Rabbits who are unable to reach and clean their vital areas such as the genitals are at an increased risk of flystrike.

Moist Dermatitis (Wet Dewlap) in Rabbits

The proximity of the dewlap to the rabbit’s mouth means that it has a tendency to get wet. This can happen when the rabbit drinks from a water bowl, has unclean living conditions, or dental issues such as malocclusion.

Frequent moisture can agitate the rabbits skin and a condition known as moist dermatitis or ‘wet dewlap’ can develop.

If left untreated, this can lead to loss of fur, redness, soreness, infection and probably worst of all flystrike.

How to Treat Moist Dermatitis in Rabbits

Moist Dermatitis in its early stages can be treated quite simply by trimming the fur and treating the skin with antibiotic powder. In more severe cases and if an infection has set in your rabbit may need to visit a vet who will be able to prescribe systemic antibiotics to kill the bacteria.

How to Prevent Moist Dermatitis in Rabbits

There are a number of ways to prevent wet dermatitis which are described here –

Trim the hair on the dewlap to aid in drying
Replacing water bowls with bottles for rabbits who have a large dewlap.
Keep the rabbit’s environment clean and dry at all times

Provide unlimited amounts of fibrous grasses and hay to help grind teeth and prevent dental problems.

Do All Rabbits Have Dewlaps?

No, not all rabbits have dewlaps. Genetics and breed of the rabbit both play a part as does the age at which the rabbit was spayed or neutered, females spayed before a year old may never develop a dewlap. The weight and size of the rabbit also have an influence on how big a rabbit’s dewlap will appear.

Wrap Up

While the dewlap may not necessarily be the most interesting of subject matters, it is nevertheless worth knowing about, after all, the more we owners know and understand about our pets, the more we are able to spot any potential health problems as and when they occur.