Grooming.
I recommend thoroughly grooming your bunny at least once a week. I use a fine toothed flea comb as well as a small de-shedding tool called a “HairBuster" I use the small fine tooth comb for anything stuck to their bottoms and any smaller knots. The de-shedding tool has a metal brush lined with a rubber piece that’s great for their undercoat and gently pulls any loose tufts of fur. It’s great at snagging any fuzzies or fly-aways while you go.
Molting
Bunnies typically molt twice a year! Younger bunnies can molt a little more trying to shed their baby coats! Some molts look way more extreme than others but when the weather begins to change your bunny will start to shed its coat. I recommend brushing your bunny at least 1-2 times a day when they’re molting to help avoid wool block. I also give my bunnies papaya tablets when I notice them shedding more to help their gut break up any hair they’ve ingested. You can also add a bit of pineapple juice or Apple Cider Vinegar into their water. This is important because their gut will slow down from not being able to break down hair and can send them into GI stasis. If your bunny isn’t a fan of being brushed you can gently pluck or slowly pull at the tufts of hair and they’ll all come flying out everywhere. Some people even use lint rollers!!!
Nail Trimming.
The part everyone dreads…
Trimming bunny nails can be intense. I do it every other week or when really necessary. Trimming your bunnies ever growing nails down is really important! Shorter nails means they’re less likely to injure themselves, another bunny, or you!
If you have a bunny that doesn’t absolutely freak out consider yourself lucky. I have only a few buns that I can put treats in front of and slowly lift each paw to clip. If you have a bunny that hates getting its nails clipped here’s a few tips:
I clip nails two different ways depending on how skittish the bunny is. The first way I try is with their back feet still on the ground, raise their front two paws into my hands and clip their front feet. Then I cradle them like a baby with their back feet lifted up into my lap and their head above their heart. Some what diagonal so that I can clip their back feet without them kicking! If this doesn’t work for you then I suggest the “Bun Burrito”- simply grab a towel and wrap it around your bun and hold them in your lap. If the bunny is still writhing and kicking then I wrap bun up a little bit tighter and hold them in a cradled position or on their back if I absolutely have to. I use the towel to secure their back feet so they can’t thrash around while I clip the front feet. Then I cover their front feet so they feel more secure as I go in for the back feet.
I KNOW, I Know, I knowwwww never hold a bunny on their back because they’re “prey animals” and it can “trance” them.
In my opinion, my herds health is my top priority. If I cant fully flip them around and check everything out whether that be nails, vents or scent glands….I wouldn’t feel as though I’m doing the most thorough job I possibly can. I pride myself in early socialization and aim for all of my buns and babies to be absolutely comfortable with grooming and nail clipping by the time they’re ready to leave at 8 weeks!
Again, I’m not pinning my bunnies to the ground and trancing them nor am I advising anyone to do so. Bunnies naturally nurse on their backs when with their moms & I typically find kits passed out milk drunk on their backs after mom has hopped away. If you attend ARBA shows you’ll also see very experienced judges handling and examining all of the show rabbits similarly.
When clipping nails its important to look for their quick. The quick can be hard to see and locate. Shining a flashlight through their nail can help you identify where to trim. You can slowly press down twice to see if you’re too close to the quick. Bunnies will flinch or kick if you begin to cut to close to their quick. If your bun is nervous just take your time and be patient!
Scent Glands.
Sometimes bunnies can get a little stinky! Scent glands might be the reason why! I generally check scent glands while I’m trimming nails. Scent glands are located on both sides of the genitals. I wear gloves during grooming because I find it easier to handle them and move their hair around. I gently swab inside of both scent glands with a Q-tip to clean out any build up. Just like cleaning our own ears!
