Every rabbit needs to be groomed regularly. Rabbits are a little bit vain! They fluff and clean themselves quite a bit, and they end up swallowing some of that extra fur. This can lead to intestinal blockages, so it is worth helping out and doing weekly grooming. Some rabbits really like the attention too! But that skin is very delicate, so the key is finding the right brush for rabbits.
It is best to avoid the wire slicker brushes used for cats and dogs. Those wire tips can scratch and scrape delicate rabbit skin. You may not even notice the scratches down under all that thick fur, but they can happen.
Using a tool that makes your rabbit uncomfortable can also make the grooming sessions a chore, and not much fun. Using something more soothing can turn those sessions in to nice bonding time for you and your bun.
Grooming gloves are a terrific solution. They are very flexible, so they can follow the contours of your rabbit's body. The rubber nubs are usually nice and soft, with no scratchy edges. Just make sure you find a glove for cats or small animals. There are several brands out there, and you want the softest, most flexible one you can find.
Let your bun sniff the glove, and get used to the feel of it. New things can be scary, so taking the time to introduce the glove can help in getting your rabbit's cooperation.
The other alternative it to go with something called the Hairbuster Comb. This is a tool developed specifically for grooming rabbits, , and has little rubber inserts between the tines of the comb. It does a great job catching and removing fine rabbit fur more effectively, once you get the hang of it. Notice in the video, you've got to angle the comb a bit.
Send us a picture of your post-grooming fur pile!
