How to tolerate grooming?

[Fiona]

The breeder actually told me that her lionheads don’t need to be groomed, because of their good fur… It is more or less true, but Moony got some tangles here and there, ever since the neuter. 

He refuses to be groomed though. I always start out very, very light. But once the brush catches on a little knot in his fur, even a little bit, he bolts and generally seems terrified. (I’m also nervous that he would turn around and bite me a good chunk LOL, would not be surprising) I tried giving him a craisin, which he really likes eating, but he doesn’t care.  Suggestions on how to get a bunny to tolerate grooming?

[Primrose]

1. Yes, Lionheads do need to be groomed. Even if he doesn’t get tangles, he CAN groom himself and get hairballs.

2. Brushes? Ha! My Lop hates brushes. I have to pull knots gently with my hands. (around his rump area) So, you could try that – or you could feed him something like an apple slice, which takes a while for some rabbits to eat, while you brush. Make sure it’s in your hand.

[Fiona]

I see- well, I suppose the breeder did say that she just runs her fingers through the fur to untangle knots. I just assumed that grooming with a brush is probably necessary for more interesting knots. I have a feeling that even if I gave him something larger to eat, he would just ditch it in order to run away from the brush.

[Mikey]

I like to groom when i give them their greens. They looooove their greens more than anything. So while theyre munching, ill pet their heads and ears while brushing them lightly. My buns are all short hair, but my nethie gets knots once in a while after a day of playing. For him, during fur knots, ill lightly hold him against me and continue brushing and petting him, then letting him get his greens again

[GabbyW]

What kind of brush are you using for your lion head? Yours looks so similar to mine! But fluffier! hehe. I use the hair buster, bought it from the store on this site. Yay Binkybunny! Anyway, it works so well! When I first started to used it, Tinkerbell would kinda freak out when I would hit a snag, but I just put my hand on her head and try to relax her while I used my other hand to brush. So almost the entire time I groom her, one hand is sorta gently forcing her to sit and relax, so I apply some pressure, but not a lot cause of course that would probably bother her. Good luck!

[Fiona]

Thanks for the tips! I’ll try them all and see where it goes. I’m using a Lil Pals slicker brush. Hopefully when I hold down his head a bit, he won’t reach up and chomp on my skin again. LOL

[GabbyW]

You’re welcome! I don’t know much at all about younger bunnies but perhaps he’s just a bit feisty cause he is still quite young? I’m sure in no time he will love being groomed!
I know those skin chomps very well. haha!! Tink does that every now and then if she’s feeling bothered or I go to pet her randomly without warning. lol!

[Love4Bunny]

Oh yeah, for sure, lionheads need to be groomed. Crysta is a single coat (?) lionhead and she still gets those fine undercoat hairs that come loose, as well as tangles in her mane, for which I use the Hairbuster comb. I also groom ears with my subdominant hand and gently lift out loose fur with my right. This is a good distraction technique but you have to go gentle, and trick them into thinking they’re being groomed on their own merits (and not because you have a job to do!). It’s amazing how easily fur comes out during any type of shed. I find the soft fuzzy undercoat near the bum can get matted rather easily.

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