Have you rece ntly adopted a longhaired bunny, such as an lionhead or an Angora? These super fluffy bunnies are absolutely adorable! However, Floppy won’t be able to keep up with all that fur herself. You’ll need to groom your fluffy little friend regularly. A vet offers some advice on this below.
S ummer
In summer, you’ll need to be extra careful to keep your rabbit dry and clean. Otherwise, she could develop flystrike. Check your pet’s skin and fur daily. Your veterinarian may also recommend a flystrike preventative. It’s also very important to make sure that your fuzzy friend doesn’t overheat.
Molting
A few times a year, your furry little friend will shed her old coat and grow in a new one. This process is called molting. It’s a bit more intense than regular shedding. Grooming your bunny is especially crucial at these times. If Floppy swallows her fur, she won’t be able to vomit it back up the way a kitty could. That means those hairballs can cause very dangerous—and even life-threatening—intestinal blockages. Ask your vet for more information, including tips on hairball prevention.
Tools
Be very careful when selecting grooming tools for Floppy. Whether you opt for combs, a slicker brush, a mat rake, or another type of brush, you’ll need to be really, really careful not to pull too hard. Bunnies have very delicate skin that rips quite easily. Generally, you’ll want to start with a wide-toothed comb or special mat comb. Then, finish up with a tool that has narrower teeth.
Problem Areas
With longhaired bunnies, their ‘armpits’ and the spots between their legs often get the most mats. Pay extra attention to these spots. Your vet may recommend clipping or even shaving these trouble areas. Ask for specific advice.
Bathing
Did you know that you should never bathe a rabbit. If Floppy gets something spilled on her fur, you can gently clean off the dirty area. One option is hold your bunny carefully and, if possible, submerge just the part or her that’s dirty into a tub or sink of lukewarm water, and swish the water around. Never submerge your pet’s head or whole body. This is extremely scary for bunnies, and they can actually go into shock.
Convincing Floppy
Rabbits can vary quite greatly in how they react to being groomed. Pick a time when Floppy feels relaxed. As you brush her, talk to her gently, and offer her treats and praise. Don’t try your pet’s patience with long sessions. About 10 or 15 minutes is fine.
Please contact us for more information about rabbit care. We’re hoppy to help!
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