How to Clean Rabbit Ears
Pet lovers who want a social, affectionate furry friend should look no further than a rabbit. Keep in mind that a pet rabbit requires much care and maintenance. Its ears, used for sound gathering and heat regulation, are particularly delicate, susceptible to various infections and easily hurt if mishandled. A first-time rabbit owner should familiarize herself with the correct way to examine and clean the animal's ears.
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Instructions
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Insert a cotton swab into the outer part of the rabbit's ear. Do not touch the ear canal or any other areas that are not immediately visible.
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Press the cotton swab gently against the tissue and drag it to pick up built-up wax or dirt.
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Inspect the rabbit's ears daily. The inside of each ear should be smooth, odorless and free of gunk. Consult with a veterinarian if the ear appears to be sore, scaly or producing black discharge. All of these symptoms may be signs of mites or another type of infection.
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Tips & Warnings
Make grooming a gentle, quiet and nonforceful experience. Doing so will make it easier for the rabbit to trust you and to allow you to clean him.
When cleaning its ears or any of the rabbit's other body parts, keep in mind that this animal should be spot cleaned rather than bathed. A rabbit's fur does not dry quickly and he is likely to experience stress, chills and shock as a result. A rabbit's ears contain a fragile blood vessel system. Never pick up a rabbit by its ears when cleaning or moving it.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Petr Kratochvil/Publicdomainpictures.net
