Grooming
BRUSHING
Bunnies should be brushed 3 times a week or daily during shedding season. Bunnies will molt (shed) 4 times a year. Sometimes excessive shedding can cause problems for your bunny. Perhaps she is not eating enough hay, eating too many sugary treats or not drinking enough water. This can cause your bunny not to eat and poop. If you start to see her droppings being strung together by fur, try to increase hay consumption by removing pellets. Also it can help to use products like Laxatone (vet office) and Sentry Digestive Aid (Petco) in malt flavor. These products help push the hair through. Give about a 1 inch strip to a 5 lb. bunny. You can also feed dried papaya or papaya tablets (with no added sugar) to help break down ingested hair. Also, when hair is accumulating, it can cause gas which is very painful. If your bunny’s tummy feels distended, give 1 ml of baby Simethicone (Walmart sells for about $3.99.)
SCENT GLAND CLEANING
Some rabbits are not the best at cleaning their scent glands. These glands are located near the rabbit's genitals and fill with a thick, oily substance. It smells very strong. This can be cleaned as needed very gently with a wet q-tip. Don't forget to hold your nose!
MANI/PEDI
A mani/pedi (nail trimming) should be done every 6 weeks. You can sometimes take them to your vet to have the nails done for a fee, too, if you are not comfortable doing this. You need nail clippers (cat clippers are fine) to cut the nails, and it is a good idea to have styptic powder on hand to staunch the bleeding if you cut too close. Clipping nails in a well lit area helps you see the quick so that you don't clip the nails too close. The video below shows how to trim your bunny's nails.
Bunnies should be brushed 3 times a week or daily during shedding season. Bunnies will molt (shed) 4 times a year. Sometimes excessive shedding can cause problems for your bunny. Perhaps she is not eating enough hay, eating too many sugary treats or not drinking enough water. This can cause your bunny not to eat and poop. If you start to see her droppings being strung together by fur, try to increase hay consumption by removing pellets. Also it can help to use products like Laxatone (vet office) and Sentry Digestive Aid (Petco) in malt flavor. These products help push the hair through. Give about a 1 inch strip to a 5 lb. bunny. You can also feed dried papaya or papaya tablets (with no added sugar) to help break down ingested hair. Also, when hair is accumulating, it can cause gas which is very painful. If your bunny’s tummy feels distended, give 1 ml of baby Simethicone (Walmart sells for about $3.99.)
SCENT GLAND CLEANING
Some rabbits are not the best at cleaning their scent glands. These glands are located near the rabbit's genitals and fill with a thick, oily substance. It smells very strong. This can be cleaned as needed very gently with a wet q-tip. Don't forget to hold your nose!
MANI/PEDI
A mani/pedi (nail trimming) should be done every 6 weeks. You can sometimes take them to your vet to have the nails done for a fee, too, if you are not comfortable doing this. You need nail clippers (cat clippers are fine) to cut the nails, and it is a good idea to have styptic powder on hand to staunch the bleeding if you cut too close. Clipping nails in a well lit area helps you see the quick so that you don't clip the nails too close. The video below shows how to trim your bunny's nails.
ABOUT US
Wonder Bunny Rabbit Rescue is a non profit, no-kill 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the rescue, care, and adoption of bunnies.
CONTACT
Phone: (708) 280-4301 / Email: [email protected]
Wonder Bunny Rabbit Rescue is a non profit, no-kill 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the rescue, care, and adoption of bunnies.
CONTACT
Phone: (708) 280-4301 / Email: [email protected]