Is there anything cuter than a soft, fluffy-tailed rabbit?As long as you know how to care for a bunny, they can make great pets.Your rabbit will need some help from you to keep it healthy and clean, because they spend a lot of their time grooming themselves.
Step 1: You should brush your rabbit every 3-7 days.
Rabbits groom themselves frequently, but still need help from you.Too much hair can lead to serious health problems if you don't brush them regularly.Most rabbits need to be brushed every 3 days.You may be able to brush short-haired rabbits once a week, but if you have a long haired rabbit, you may need to do it more often.If your rabbit's poops are linked together, it could be eating too much hair.Try brushing it more often.If you don't see much hair after brushing your rabbit, it's probably a good idea to wait a bit.
Step 2: Your rabbit should be groomed daily when it's shed a lot.
Rabbits shed their fur about once every 3 months, and every other shed is typically a very heavy one where they lose most of their coat.You should brush your rabbit at least once a day when this happens.If you have a lot of hair, your rabbit will get sick from trying to groom away all that fur.The rabbit's shed can happen over a period of several days or even a few weeks.It's common for rabbits to have bald spots.If the spots are not flaky and your rabbit doesn't seem to bother him, you should not be concerned.If you're not sure, ask your vet.
Step 3: The brush is soft for cats and rabbits.
Some rabbits don't like being brushed, especially if you use a stiff brush.It can take some trial and error to find the right brush for your rabbit, but soft cat brushes work well.Flea comb, rubber brush, Fine-tooth comb and Glove brush are other options.
Step 4: Before you start brushing, massage your rabbit to calm it.
When your rabbit is excited or scared, don't brush it, that will make it more anxious about being groomed in the future.Before you start grooming, make sure your rabbit is settled and comfortable by taking a few minutes to pet it calmly.If your rabbit doesn't mind being handled, you can put it on your lap.
Step 5: The rabbit's bottom should be wiped with a damp cloth.
Sometimes urine or droppings can get stuck in the fur.If you don't clean this, it can irritate your rabbit's skin, so take a moment to wipe its underside with a damp cloth or cotton pad before you start brushing.This will make sure you don't spread urine or feces while brushing your rabbit's fur.Your rabbit might have a hard time keeping its bottom clean if it is overweight.
Step 6: Start brushing in the direction of the rabbit's fur.
To keep your rabbit calm, hold it in place and pet it with one hand.Use your other hand to gently stroke the brush or comb across the rabbit's fur.If you press down too hard, you could irritate the rabbit's skin.If you are using a comb, hold it sideways so it is parallel to the rabbit's skin.If you brush the other way, rabbits won't like it.Start by brushing the top of the rabbit's head.Once your rabbit has had a few grooming sessions, it's time to brush its chin and face.
Step 7: Remove any tufts that are loose.
tufts of fur will start to form as you brush your rabbitKeep petting the rabbit and use the hand that's holding the brush to remove the tufts.If you're gentle, your rabbit won't mind.You can use a glove brush or rubber brush to help collect the tufts.
Step 8: There are mats with fur on them.
It can be difficult to keep your rabbit still while you comb out the mats and clumps.You can use a fur splitter to separate the mats from the rabbit.A fur splitter is a comb that can be used to remove mats from a rabbit's fur.Remember to check the pads of the rabbit's feet, as mats often form there.It's best to take your rabbit to the vet if the fur is too matted to comb.If you're comfortable using animal clippers, you can shave away the mats, but be careful, because it's very easy to tear or cut the skin of your rabbit.It is very easy to accidentally cut the mats from your rabbit's fur with scissors.
Step 9: As you brush your bunny, look for parasites.
Keep an eye on your rabbit's fur and skin as you groom it, for things like mites, fleas, or ticks.Check for flaky skin or bald patches, which could be signs of parasites.If you notice parasites in your rabbit, call your vet and ask about treatment options.Fleas are tiny black insects, and you'll notice them around your bunny's head or groin area.You might see a tick crawling in your bunny's fur or attached to their skin.Mites will look like dirt.If you see dark debris in your bunny's ear, it could be a sign of ear mites.
Step 10: If your bunny's fur is dirty, you should spot-bathe it.
Rabbits don't need to be bathed, but occasionally their fur may get dirty with urine or feces.If that happens, you can cleanse the area by dipping the rabbit's bottom in warm water.If you want to dry your rabbit's fur, use a blow dryer or towel-dry it thoroughly.Don't put a rabbit in the water completely.It is possible to give your rabbit a dry bath.If you want to massage it into your rabbit's fur, sprinkle a little cornstarch on the area that needs to be cleaned.Then, wipe the fur with a cloth to get rid of any excess.
Step 11: You should check your rabbit's eyes and nose whenever you brush it.
It's a good time to examine your bunny to make sure it doesn't have any health issues.Check to see if it has a discharge from its eyes or nose.Make sure its eyes are not cloudy or irritated.Call your vet if you notice something.Feel around its jaw to make sure it doesn't have any problems.
Step 12: It's a good idea to examine its teeth at each grooming.
While you're doing that, look at the rabbit's front teeth to make sure they don't get overgrown.It's a good idea to check its gums to make sure they're pink, which could be a sign of inflammation.Make sure that your rabbit doesn't have a bad odor coming from its mouth and that it is not drooling.There could be a problem with its back teeth.
Step 13: Put a moist cotton ball over its eyes.
It's normal for a bunny to have a little gunk around its eyes, as long as they aren't watering and the bunny is healthy.To keep your rabbit's eyes from getting irritated, you should wipe the area with a damp cotton ball.Don't touch the area around the rabbit's eye.The hay could get into the rabbit's eyes.
Step 14: Use a mascara brush to remove fur from your rabbit's eyes.
If your rabbit has long hair, it can grow into its eyes, which can cause irritation.When you're looking at your rabbit's eyes, make sure to check for this.If you notice hair on your bunny's eyes, you can smooth it back with a small spoolie.You can use a small comb.If brushing the hair doesn't help, use a pair of scissors to trim it out of the way.
Step 15: During grooming, wipe ear wax from the outer ear with a cotton swab.
Carefully wipe any waxy build up out of your bunny's ear, but be careful to always move.It could push wax further into the ear canal if you push down.Don't try to remove wax from the ear canal.Ask your vet to recommend an ear wash solution if your bunny has wax in their ear, and talk to them about the safest way to use it.This should be done under the supervision of a vet.
Step 16: Mineral oil can be used to clean your rabbit's scent glands.
The scent glands are on either side of your rabbit's genitals.Take a cotton ball or cotton swab and apply some mineral oil to it.You can wipe it away with a cotton ball or swab if you want to.Bunnies have a scent that comes from their anus.If you notice a bad smell coming from your rabbit, it's a good idea to clean their scent glands.If you do this, be very gentle because the glands are made of a very sensitive membrane.
Step 17: Your rabbit's nails should be clipped every 1-2 months.
If you don't clip the bunny's nails, he could scratch you.When your rabbit's nails get long, it becomes uncomfortable, so keep an eye on them, and trim them whenever they start growing long.If you don't want to trim your bunny's nails yourself, take them to the vet.
Step 18: The nail clipper is guillotine-style.
The same type of nail clipper is used for cats and birds, so don't worry.The perfect size for trimming bunny's nails.At any pet store, you can pick one up.The easiest way to file a baby bunny's nails is with an emery board.
Step 19: If your rabbit has dark nails, use a penlight.
rabbits have a blood supply that runs down their nails.It can be difficult to see if your rabbit has dark colored nails.Don't trim the area that looks darker in the light to make it easier to see.If your rabbit has light colored nails, you don't have to worry about using a light.
Step 20: Wrap the back half of your bunny in a towel.
While you trim the rabbit's nails, it can be difficult to hold it still.Wrap your rabbit's back legs in a towel and leave its front paws free.While you clip its nails, hold one front paw at a time.One person should cradle the rabbit in the towel while the other holds the clippers.If your rabbit is calm, you don't need a towel.You can cradle the bunny against your body by holding it at the edge of the table.As you trim its paws, this will help it feel secure.You should be patient as the rabbit tries to pull its paws back.If the rabbit starts to panic, take a break.
Step 21: To trim the bunny's back claws, hold it upright.
Lift your rabbit up so it's standing on its hind legs by holding it with one hand.Use your free hand to trim the nails on the bunny's paws.It is easier to trim the back paws.Someone else can hold the bunny upright while you clip it.
Step 22: If you trim too far, styptic powder should be applied to the nail.
Don't panic if you accidentally cut into the quick.Put a small amount of styptic powder between your thumb and forefinger and press it into the nail.Hold a finger over the powder and apply steady pressure.The bleeding should stop and the styptic powder will numb the pain the rabbit is feeling.If you don't have styptic powder, you can use flour or cornstarch.You should call your vet if the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes.
Step 23: If the fur on the rabbit's feet wears down, place soft rugs in its enclosure.
Take a good look at the bunny's feet when you're cutting its nails.If the fur is worn down, it can cause serious irritation.Soft resting pads or rugs can be used to help avoid that.