You might be wondering, “How do I clean my rabbit if he/she doesn’t stink and already looks clean?”. As you have noticed, they are generally very clean animals but it is important to practice grooming rabbits because there are still areas they are unable to clean alone. Have you ever noticed that when your rabbit hops on you their nails scratch you in the process? This is an example of a way we need to groom our rabbits.
Rabbits Clean Themselves??
You might be surprised to hear that, like cats, rabbits actually clean themselves. Rabbits are generally very clean animals and they routinely groom themselves multiple times a day. They practice this by licking their paws and rubbing them over their face, ears, and eyes. They also will lick other body parts that they have access to such as their sides and also their back legs and paws. Rabbits also groom each other as a sign of affection and an act of caretaking. If you notice your rabbit licking you it means they appreciate you and are trying to take care of you too. It is really such an adorable process to watch rabbits groom both themselves and others.
It is important to remember that rabbits like to spend quite a bit of time out of their day grooming themselves. Once you get to know your rabbits’ daily grooming patterns, it can be a way to monitor the health of your little bunny.
However, it is not such a straightforward method. Rabbits do not have a set schedule for cleaning times and sometimes they also prefer to do it in private. It can be hard to determine if they are grooming themselves a normal amount since they choose to clean themselves very randomly. However, one thing you can pay attention to is the way your rabbits’ fur looks. If you notice any bald spots or patches this may be a sign of over-grooming which can be a result of stress, boredom, or illness. Because rabbits are prey animals they are very good at hiding pain so it is important to pay attention to any signs of discomfort they may show.
Brushing
While rabbits are very good at keeping themselves clean on a daily basis, they still shed quite a bit and cannot reach all areas of their body which is where we step in. Rabbits go through two to four larger shedding seasons a year. The timing of these are not always the same but typically around the fall and spring to adjust to temperature changes. During these times they will shed A LOT so don’t be surprised by how much fur they shed. Because of this, it is a good idea to brush them once a day or every other day to keep the hair under control. When rabbits are not in their shedding seasons it is recommended to brush them once a week to control regular shedding levels.
It is important to know that rabbits have very sensitive skin, because of this most rabbits do not enjoy being brushed. However, there are ways you can help make this more comfortable for them.
- Calm your rabbit before you begin brushing them. You want them to feel safe and secure even though this may be uncomfortable. I recommend spending time loving on your rabbit by petting them. I have also found that playing soft classical music helps calm and relax my rabbit. Try to imagine you are giving them a spa treatment :).
- Find a position that works best for you and your rabbit. If your rabbit likes the floor and you know they won’t try to run away that is likely the easiest option. However, I have found placing a towel on my desk and putting Leo on top of it works the best for us. It helps to keep him still while also keeping the mess confined. This is also a great position for nail clipping as it allows for chest contact to provide security.
- Begin brushing- Once your rabbit is calm and in a comfortable position you can begin brushing them. You will want to use soft and gentle strokes going in the same direction as the fur. It is important to position the brush almost flat along the fur so it gently glides along the skin and does not point down into it. This helps to avoid scratching their delicate skin. Remember it is always better to be slow and gentle to make this process as enjoyable as possible for your rabbit.
- Use your hands as well as the brush. If you notice your rabbit showing signs of discomfort, switch to petting and even massaging your rabbit in a way that you can pluck the fur with your hands. Leo enjoys me brushing him with my hands much better than the brush however the brush is much more effective. Feel free to switch back and forth between the brush and your hands.
Remember, your rabbit will shed A LOT and you won’t be able to get all the hair out each time you brush them. It might seem like it never ends and you aren’t doing it right. But just remember to stay consistent with it and don’t feel like you need to get all the hair out. I recommend brushing for 15 minutes a time. You don’t want to do it for too long or your bunny may start to resent the process.
It is also important to find a brush that works well with a rabbits delicate skin and fine hair. It can be tricky to find a brush that will hold onto rabbit hair while not irritating the skin. I have personally found that the Hair Buster Brush works the best for me and Leo but there are many different kinds out there!
Nail Trimming
Nail trimming is a very important step in grooming rabbits. Their nails never stop growing so we need to clip them regularly to keep them from getting too long. Typically once a month is a good way to keep them from getting too sharp.
Trimming a rabbits nails can be a tricky process. Rabbit nails have a vein at the base of the nail called the quick. You want to cut the end of the nail just before that to avoid pinching the nerve. If you do accidentally cut the quick it is okay, your rabbit will just feel a little pain and the nail will start to bleed. Simply put a little cornstarch on the tip of the nail to stop the bleeding. To avoid cutting the quick I recommend using a flashlight on darker colored nails to see the quick better. Simply place your phone with the face down and flashlight up and hover your rabbits paw over the flashlight as best you can. This is a lot easier with your rabbit sitting on top of a desk or surface that he or she can be on all fours.
These are the steps for optimal nail trimming:
- Find a comfortable position for you and your rabbit. Make sure your rabbit is calm and relaxed, treats can be very helpful to remind your rabbit that this is a positive experience. You do not want your rabbit to form a negative connotation with nail trimming otherwise it will be difficult to do again in the future.
- Begin by picking up one foot, the front feet are easier to access so I recommend starting there. Pick a nail and hover it over the flashlight to locate the quick. Then place the clippers a little past the quick and first give a little pressure pinch and see if your rabbit flinches. If they do flinch you are too close to the quick. After the little squeeze, do one fast full cut to clip the nail in one movement.
- Repeat this process for all nails. If your rabbit is showing signs of discomfort make sure to take breaks and give your rabbit love and treats. If the process is taking too long feel free to stop and try again another time.
Tooth Check
Like the nails, rabbit teeth grow continuously. However, they are kept short by all the chewing rabbits do. From hay, to toys, to our own personal items, rabbits will chew however and whenever they want to. While this helps to keep them trimmed it is still important to check their teeth to make sure they are growing correctly. You can do this by gently lifting their lip and looking for chipped or overgrown teeth. If you do not feel comfortable with this you can also take them to the vet and they will do this as apart of the check-up routine.
Daily vs Long Term Care
While rabbits do clean themselves daily there are still some ways we need to step in to assure that they are being groomed properly. Daily petting also helps remove excess fur while giving your rabbit attention and love.
Brushing, nail trimming, and tooth checks are not things you need to do every day (unless it’s shedding season) but doing them regularly is important for their general welfare. Every rabbit is different so the frequency of grooming needs will differ. No one knows your rabbit like you do so it is important to pay attention to your rabbit in order to keep them healthy and happy.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below and I will be happy to help 🙂