How to Care for Rabbit Coats

Be gentle while grooming a rabbit's coat.

Rabbits are very clean animals and spend a lot of time grooming, just like cats. Rabbits shed constantly, with major sheds occurring four times per year. Daily brushing will decrease shedding, prevent matting and will give you an opportunity to detect wounds and hot spots. Early detection of skin problems will enable you to avoid potentially deadly problems. Feces and debris can accumulate in matted patches of fur, resulting in skin infections and hot spots. The fly larvae or maggots may then infest the region, resulting in a condition known as myasis or flystrike.

Things You'll Need

• Boar-bristle brush
• Small dematting rake
• Cotton ball
• Betadine
• Antibiotic ointment
• Wash cloth
• Water
• Towel

Instructions

1. Brush your rabbit's fur on a daily basis to reduce shedding and prevent matting. Use a boar-bristle brush. The natural bristles will distribute natural oils throughout the coat, and the bristles will be gentle on the rabbit's sensitive skin.

2. Brush the rabbit's coat with a dematting rake to remove mats. Use extreme caution, as there are blades embedded in the rake. They will cut when they encounter resistance. Use short, slow strokes to cut through matted regions.

3. Examine the rabbit's skin in the region where the matted fur was located. Mats can cause hot-spot formation and also can result from a wound, as blood and discharge cakes in the fur.

4. Disinfect hot spots and wounds by saturating a cotton ball with Betadine. Swab the affected area and allow it to air-dry. Apply a small dab of antibiotic ointment to promote healing.

5. Dampen a wash cloth with warm water and wipe down any dirty areas on the rabbit's coat.

6. Wipe down the damp region with a clean towel and cuddle the rabbit until his fur is dry. The rabbit's fur is very thick, and even a brief wipe-down can leave the coat damp for a period of time.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring your rabbit indoors if it is wounded or experiencing diarrhea. Both conditions will attract flies. The larvae may burrow into the skin or rectum. Clean the rabbit several times per day and bring the pet to the veterinarian for treatment. Keep the bunny indoors until the diarrhea has ceased or the wound has healed.

• Check your rabbit's feet and rear-end region on a daily basis. Foot infections can occur if feces become stuck in the paw fur. Feces can also become stuck in the fur around the rabbits rear end, leading to skin infections and flystrike.

• Don't use scissors to remove mats. Rabbits tend to move suddenly, which can result in injury.

• Do not bathe your rabbit unless it's absolutely necessary. This is extremely stressful for the rabbit. Instead, perform spot cleanings with a damp washcloth.

• Never put your rabbit under running water. This is extremely frightening for the bunny. Instead, fill a small plastic tank with an inch or two of water and, if necessary, pour warm water over the soiled area. Wash with kitten-safe soap and rinse thoroughly by gently pouring water over the bunny's fur.

• Never put a wet or damp rabbit outdoors. Keep the bunny indoors until his coat is completely dry.

References

• ASPCA: General Rabbit Care
• Humane Society: Rabbits