All you need to know about Rabbit Grooming.
Photo by Helena Lopes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-guinea-pig-near-window-1774861/
Grooming your rabbit really does depend on its breed, its coat, and how often your bunny grooms itself. That doesn't mean you need to go about it on your own.
Current List of Bunny Savvy Groomers (Illinois)
Nail Trims
All bunnies need their nails trimmed, but it can be a delicate procedure. We recommend this as a two-person job. One person holds the bunny, while the other person trims the nails. The best position to hold the rabbit is in the C Shape. Hold the bunny so that their feet are sticking out, their back is to your stomach, and make sure you support their bum.
Every nail has a quick that you don't want to nip. So make sure you use a flashlight to shine onto the nail to see where it is, especially if they have black or dark nails. When in doubt, just clip the tips.
Nail trims should happen every two-three months on average, depending on how fast your rabbit's nails grow. If it's just too much for you, don't worry; most vets will do it as an add-on during your bunny's wellness visit. Average cost is $10.
SHort Coats
If your rabbit has a short coat, you probably won't need to do a full groom. You can use a slicker brush to lightly comb out any undercoat during molting season, but most likely, your best attack will just be to lightly pet your bun often. Put some coconut oil (a very small amount) on your hands and rub them together. Then pet, and the loose fur will come off as you pet.
Some short-haired lops have mats under their chins and under their rump. These can be combed out with some corn starch and a comb with rolling tines.
Long Coats
If your bun has a long coat, you are going to need to add grooming to your daily routine. Rabbits like lion heads can get away with weekly grooms, but we recommend you feel your rabbit daily to make sure there aren't any mats developing.
Your best friend will be a comb with rolling tines. Start from the bottom and go up. As you comb out any mats the undercoat will also come off your bunny.
Angoras & Fuzzy Lops
There is no other option; you will have to groom daily, probably two-four hours a day, especially if you keep their coat long. You will probably also have to do a full groom once a week if you don't keep up with your daily grooms. That being said, there are some better coat quality out there and those you might only need to groom twice a week. Keep a close eye on their coat until you understand what works for them.
We recommend shaving down their coat every 3-4 months so that it is more manageable. A shave generally takes about two hours and will require a special animal grooming trimmer blade. When you shave, always place your fingers between the skin and the blades. This will give a nice, even cut around the bunny.
Read more about Angora Grooming
Gland Cleaning
If you notice a stink around your bunny, they might need their glands cleaned, especially if they haven't been spayed/neutered. We recommend taking your bunny to a vet or knowledgeable groomer, and they can show you where the glands are. These glands can sometimes become impacted with fecal matter and can be removed with warm water and q-tips. Most of the time, once cleaned, you won't have to clean it again unless your bunny has a hard time cleaning themselves.
You don't have to do it alone
In short, grooming can be daunting, but there is help. Reach out to your vet or bunny-savvy groomer for more information. If you are a bunny-savvy groomer and want to be added to our list, please email cocrumb@gmail.com.
Current List of Bunny Savvy Groomers (Illinois)