What Is A Certified Master Rabbit Groomer (CMRG)?

The title of Certified Master Rabbit Groomer (CMRG) is an accreditation awarded to rabbit grooming professionals who have demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge in the art of rabbit care through extensive training and testing. While the credential focuses mainly on rabbits, it also includes an overview on guinea pigs and ferrets. Believe it or not, at the time of this writing, only three groomers worldwide have earned this prestigious title.

The CMRG curriculum is a comprehensive program, covering topics ranging from rabbit anatomy and common ailments and conditions, to rabbit communication and behavioral cues, to proper handling and grooming techniques. Written knowledge tests are assigned throughout the process, along with several rigorous practical exams to demonstrate learned skills. The final test challenges the groomer to solve the issue of a completely pelted (matted to the skin) rabbit. If a rabbit is nicked or harmed in any way during testing, the groomer automatically fails.

As noted above, the syllabus also includes a course on the grooming needs and proper handling and care of guinea pigs and ferrets.

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But Why Are There So FEW Rabbit Groomers Out There?

To put it simply, most dog groomers just don’t have the know-how or capability to take on rabbit clients. Rabbits are nothing like dogs, and are extremely sensitive and fragile creatures. They do not handle stress well, their skin tears very easily, and they can break their own backs if they kick out hard enough. The liability alone can be entirely off-putting.

However, as we covered in “The Importance of Having Your Rabbit Groomed”, grooming is absolutely crucial to a bunny’s wellbeing. And while the number of pet rabbits continues to grow every day, many rabbit owners are still left with very little in the way of resources and support, especially when it comes to grooming.

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Why I Became a Certified Master Rabbit Groomer (CMRG)

(A Short Essay by Jen)

It all started with a guinea pig.

Eric Matthews was an ornery little Silkie guinea pig I adopted back in 2021. I had never had a longhaired guinea pig, so there was certainly a learning curve involved, especially when I found out how messy he could be. Unfortunately, there just isn’t a lot of information out there about guinea pig grooming, so when I found that a class was being offered at an upcoming grooming exposition on this very subject, I immediately signed up. After class, I spoke with the instructor who excitedly pulled me through the floors of the tradeshow, recommending the best products for Eric. We also discussed her certification program for rabbit grooming, and I thought I might sign up for the first level to see how I liked it.

That first class opened the floodgates to a whole new world of grooming for me. Grooming small animals is so much different than dogs, and I knew I was onto something big. The more I learned, the more I realized how much the rabbit and guinea pig communities really needed groomers who could properly and safely groom their pets. As mentioned above, it is incredibly rare to find a groomer who is willing to take on small pets, let alone one who is credentialed to do so. I made it my goal to achieve the highest level of accreditation available in rabbit grooming (Certified Master Rabbit Groomer or CMRG) and I am immensely proud to report that I have only one more set of courses/tests to get through to earn this esteemed and ultra rare (there are currently only two in the entire world!) title. (**UPDATE 11/2025: I did it!! There are now three CMRG in the world!**)

Best care practices are constantly evolving in the pet world, as we continue to learn more about our four-legged friends and what they need to live healthy, happy lives. This is especially true with rabbits and guinea pigs, as the once common care “necessities”- cages, hutches, seed-based diets, yogurt drops, etc.- are now known to be harmful, and are thankfully becoming more and more obsolete in favor of better keeping practices.

My hope is to be able to provide rabbit, guinea pig, and other small pet owners with a trusted source for education, support, and of course- grooming services, and ultimately, to help cultivate a better understanding of these amazing, often misunderstood creatures. 💛

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To learn more about our bunny or guinea pig services, climb aboard our TotR Hopper (rabbit) or TotR Cavy Coach (guinea pig) cars!