Grooming Your Bunny
by A.A.
After welcoming a bunny into your home, it doesn’t take long to notice that bunnies shed a lot. Rabbits typically shed every three months, alternating between light and heavy. Although rabbits are meticulous groomers, they need a little help. During shedding, especially a heavy one, rabbits who aren’t getting brushed regularly may ingest excessive amounts of fur as they groom themselves. The fur that can’t pass through the system creates a blockage, leading to GI stasis.
Weekly brushing is normally sufficient to prevent issues, but daily brushing is recommended during shedding. There are different types of rabbit brushes available, some specific to breed. For the average rabbit, a soft bristle brush is a good choice, as it won’t scrape a bunny’s sensitive skin, but pin brushes, which have metal bristles, will pull out more fur. You can buy grooming kits that include both brush types (as well as nail clippers) and use the pin brush as needed. Long-haired rabbits need extra grooming and some different tools. A slicker brush, which has fine metal teeth, is designed for such breeds and will effectively remove pieces of hay, litter, or anything else that may be hiding in fur. There’s also the Furminator de-shedding tool, which can be pricier than a regular brush, but which many rabbit owners find highly effective. Brush gently, especially when using anything with metal teeth. Loose fur will come out easily so there’s no need to press hard and risk hurting the rabbit. Even with regular grooming, matting can be an issue, especially for long-haired breeds. If you notice mats, don’t attempt to cut them out with scissors. Instead, use a mat rake or mat splitter to comb them out. Severe mats need to be shaved and although you can buy minishavers to use at home, only do so if you have experience. Otherwise, let a professional handle it. You can also have long fur trimmed to about one inch to make grooming more manageable. The best time to brush your rabbit is when he’s calm and relaxed, such as lying down stretched out in a “superbun” pose. If your rabbit runs away and kicks its feet, don’t give up. Sometimes, it may help to pet them on the head while brushing them. There are also grooming tools with soft nubs on them, such as the Love Glove or Zoom Groom that rabbits may find calming because it feels like they’re just being petted. When the fur is very loose, it’s easier to pull out the large clumps than to brush them out. As long as you do it gently, most rabbits won’t mind too much. The shedding process can typically take weeks but rabbits can also experience “coat blow” in which they lose most of their fur at once, leaving them either partially or totally bald. It may look strange but this is normal and nothing to worry about. The bald patches will first start to darken and then fur will grow back within one to two weeks. Regular brushing is all that needs to be done to care for their fur. Never give your bunny a bath because they can develop hypothermia. If you notice signs of fleas, mites, ticks, or anything else unusual about your bunny’ s fur or skin, call your vet.
Nail clipping is another important component of grooming. Even the most dig-happy house rabbit won’t wear down his nails enough. Left unchecked, a rabbit’s nails can grow so long that they curl inward and impede the ability to walk. You’ll need small animal nail clippers, which are usually available in most pet supply stores. Your rabbit will need to be in a position where you have easy access to his feet. Some will sit still for this and allow you to lift each paw and clip the nails. For others, you can put them on their backs in your lap with their feet facing you. Bunnies can also be wrapped in a towel so that you can access one foot at a time without the worry of the rabbit running away or kicking. Try to find a position that works best for your rabbit. Then, look closely at the nail and you should be able to see where the quick is, which is the point where blood is visible inside the nail. The quick can be harder to see in dark nails but shining a flashlight under them will make it more noticeable. Cut the nails before the quick, not on it or after it. In case of a grooming accident, apply cornstarch or a product called KwikStop to a cotton ball and hold it on the cut to stop the bleeding. Nails should be trimmed approximately every six to eight weeks. For those who don’t feel comfortable clipping nails, many groomers will clip them for less than what you would pay at the vet’s office and often without an appointment. Make sure to ask for someone who has experience with small animals. If you choose to go to your veterinarian, you can ask for a “tech appointment” where one of the veterinary technicians will trim nails for far less than you would pay for a vet appointment.
Perhaps the most unpleasant grooming task is cleaning the anal scent glands. The brown, waxy substances in the glands can build up, not only causing an odor but possibly a blockage as well. Hold the rabbit so that you have access to the area and locate the two slits on either side. Dip a Q-tip in warm water or mineral oil, and swab away the buildup. Do this gently to avoid tearing the membranes in the glands. As with nail clipping, this can also be done at the vet’s office or by an experienced groomer.
Grooming can seem like a hassle sometimes, but it’s part of bonding with your rabbits and teaching them to trust you.