The importance of Having Your Rabbit Groomed

Did you know?

Like dogs, rabbits require regular grooming to maintain good health.

But Aren’t Rabbits Self-Groomers?

They are! However, unlike dogs or cats, rabbits do not have the ability to burp or vomit. When cats (who are also self-groomers!) get a hairball, they expel it quickly by vomiting, thus preventing any accumulation of hair in their GI tract. Rabbits cannot do this, so when they ingest large amounts of fur through self-grooming, it can obstruct the GI tract causing a blockage. This condition is called wool block and is cause for immediate veterinary attention. Since many pet rabbits are not given a proper diet (85%-90% of their diet should be hay!), they often lack the fiber needed to help pass any fur that does get into their system.

Preventative care

Wool block isn’t the only thing to worry about when it comes to rabbits. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule can also help to prevent other issues including excessively long nails and matting. The environment and diet a rabbit is provided with is extremely important as well, as there are a slew of common problems in pet rabbits that directly result from less than ideal care, including urine-stained feet, and the dreaded poo butt. While these two conditions are not directly related to grooming, I’ve included them here as it is very important an owner recognize and correct the source of these issues immediately.

Excessively Long Nails

Rabbits are burrowing animals. Wild rabbits file their nails down naturally when following this instinct building their homes. Domestic rabbits do not burrow outside, and so we must trim their nails. As with dogs, when a rabbit’s nails become too long, they can get caught on cages, carpet, and other things, potentially pulling the nail free of the toe. This can lead to infection and other issues. The easiest solution? To maintain a regular nail trimming schedule for your rabbit (every 4-8 weeks or so, depending on the individual’s nail growth cycle).

Matting

Long-haired rabbits will experience matting if they are not brushed out regularly. As with dogs, matted coats can cause a plethora of problems for your rabbit. Matting does not allow for proper air circulation to get down to the skin, causing the body’s heat to amplify in these areas. Matting can cause overheating, hotspots, dirty/flaky skin, and can even hide opportunistic parasites which can further irritate the skin and cause anemia in your pet. It also pulls on the skin causing discomfort and even bruising.

Urine-Stained Feet

This is unfortunately a common issue for pet rabbits, caused when a rabbit is being kept in substandard conditions. It is usually found on the hind feet, though it can be seen on the front as well. Urine-stained feet is exactly what it sounds like: feet that are stained with urine, causing soreness and even hairloss.

For more information on the best environment for your pet rabbit, please visit the House Rabbit Society’s page on housing here.

Poo Butt

Another unfortunately common issue, especially with newer rabbit owners, poo butt is caused by improper diet. Many owners feed their rabbits a diet of fruits, veggies, and sweet treats from the pet store, which not only does not provide the essential fiber a rabbit needs, but throws off their GI tract. A rabbit being fed the required diet of 85%-90% hay will have stools that are small, round, and relatively firm. Not to be gross, but they look like Cocoa Puffs cereal! A rabbit on an improper diet like the one described above, will have much softer stool which then sticks to the dense fur around the rump. As I’m sure you’ve figured out, this is poo butt. The fecal matter sits on the skin, creating fecal scald. It is usually accompanied by urine scald. The skin becomes extremely irritated, red, swollen, and as I’m sure you can imagine, incredibly painful.

For more information on proper diet for your pet rabbit, please visit the House Rabbit Society’s page on feeding here.

In short, providing your pet rabbit with the proper diet, environment in which to live, and maintaining a regular grooming schedule will aid in allowing your rabbit the healthy, happy life they undoubtedly deserve. 💛

•

---

•

Before you bring your rabbit for grooming….

•

• Make sure to bring them in a carrier!

   A carrier is the safest way to transport your rabbit or guinea pig to their grooming appointment.

• Put some hay in the carrier!

   Providing hay for your pet to eat can help alleviate stress and allow them to feel more comfortable.

• Be prepared with any questions/ concerns you may have about your rabbit or pig!

   We’re here to help! Any information we can provide to help you better understand and care for your pet- just ask! If we don’t know the answer, we’ll certainly help direct you to someone who might!