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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE Grooming a traumatized Angora

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    • countrybunny
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         Does anyone have advice on delicate grooming/plucking or ways to make an Angora more comfortable with it?

        I bought my bun as a baby and we went through four painful plucking cycles before someone on this board suggested daily brushing. He’s always hated brushed, especially legs/stomach/bib areas, and becomes very anxious and aggressive. He’s a house rabbit and stays very clean so I thought I could get away with not doing it–not true I guess!

        He got more aggressive and reclusive after every harvest, so I’ve spent the last few months rebuilding our relationship and not brushing or handling him much (I figured I could shear him this time). Now we’re on fantastic terms, but he still freaks out when I try to brush him. I’m concerned about losing the closeness we’ve rebuilt, and I want to make sure I don’t make any more mistakes with him.

        Any help from Angora handlers on how to ease into daily grooming (esp his under areas) without activating his PTSD would be greatly appreciated. : ) Thank you!


      • Deleted User
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          I think you might have more luck getting advice specific to Angora grooming if you wrote to a couple of Angora breeders or spinners/knitters who keep their rabbits for the fibre. Sorry, I know that’s a bit of a pain but these people tend to have pretty easy to find websites and in my experience are usually friendly and helpful when approached directly for advice. I know they don’t generally house them right, … and lots of other issues, but you just want to know about the best gentlest way to groom and I suspect the people out there who breed them and harvest and spin their hair are the ones who have the kind of information you are looking for. The spinning community might be a good place to start looking.

          In the mean time, your sheering sounds like the best solution. (Since I expect it must be pretty matted at this point.) Do you know someone you trust, or could you find a vet or groomer who could do the sheering for you? That way you wouldn’t be the person immediately associated with the actual event in his mind and your bond shouldn’t suffer.

          Maybe after a thorough sheering you could do something like clipping him once a week, maybe with the help of a friend? Something that could keep the hair shorter and more manageable. I know he won’t like it, but it might be easier then the brushing.

          Really sorry you are both having such a rough time of it. I feel pretty sure there is a way to “pluck” painlessly though, so maybe an experienced Angora handler can give you some tips. If you get any advice that works please do post it, … always good to know and you never can tell who it may help.

          Best of luck!


        • Roberta
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          4355 posts Send Private Message

            Hi CB,
            I have a French Angora called Piglet… Grooming has become a battle of wills and wits…. Piglet seems to enjoy the challenge of eluding me.
            I have tried daily brushing and plucking, now I just do my best between times till I can call in the groomer to shave him.
            I found a fantatstic pet groomer who has and angora of her own. Peta charges me $25 an hour and comes to the house. Piglet is generally pretty relaxed with her and only tries to bite me…(little stinker) I did try having him done at the vets but they always insisted on using anesthesia and the job was never done properly.
            I am in the process of trying some diffrent tools and tecniques to try and minimise the amount of matting between grooms. If I have any break throughs I will post them.

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        Forum DIET & CARE Grooming a traumatized Angora