I don’t see any problem bathing a rabbit. A number of websites warn against it, saying rabbits can die of fear so you should never bath them;
I disagree though: (They may be able to die of fear however being bathed should not be that feaful)

Here’s what I suggest.
Also, I would recommend not bathing your rabbit if your rabbit is the kind that is super-uncomforatable with people. They do have a “no water” shampoo you could try. Just spray it in, it dissolves the dirt and then you brush it out. But honestly I think a bath should be fine. We bath Kokanee about once every two or three months. Kahlua had to have a bath right after we got her as she slept in a bunch of pee

You should buy rabbit shampoo. That way it’s gentle enough for use. I use this kind
http://www.rabbitstop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=63024&Category_Code=2ShampooDeodorizers&Product_Count=2

ANyways I like it because it smells great, its gentle, it conditions and it’s tear free. You can pick it up in a petshop for sure.

Run the bath first. Make the water very warm, but not uncomfortably so. (Make sure you would be comfortable bathing in that water-it should NOT turn your skin red) It should be warm though as rabbits have a higher body temp then we do (104 vs. 96-97) and they could feel chily.

Have someone assist you. Talk calmly to your bunny the whole time (I.e. coo to her/him) so they know they aren’t being punished and shouldnt’ be scared.
Put a bathmat or a towel on the bottom of the tub. I get into shorts and get right in with the bunny so it’s easier. Lather rinse and repeat.

Dry your bunny with a towel as best as you can. Brush her gently to prevent tangles. Make sure she is somewhere warm and clean to dry. I run a hair dryer in their room (Not blasting on them, just to heat up the air) to make it warm for them. Or you can wrap your bunny up in a towel and cuddle her. Remember you wouldn’t want to be naked and wet in room temperature!!

Hope this helps!!!
Lesley

ok, I couldn’t resist this photo after reading about the baths………it’s from the icanhascheezeburger site……its that a bunny?????  and woe to them that bathed him

1101781793871.jpg

I am assuming it’s poop you’re trying to remove? The bigger issue really is what is causing the problem? Often it is a diet too high in carbs – as in too many treats or not so healthy or too many pellets. What is her diet like currently?

I would not recommend bathing Ginger, it’s really very stressful on most rabbits.
Normally, I would recommend trying to spot clean her with a damp wash cloth, but it sounds like it’s really caught in her fur.

The cornstarch method is much less stressful (from http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html)

1. Purchase a container of Baby Cornstarch Powder (DO NOT use Baby Powder or any sort of powder that contains talc, as talc is a respiratory irritant and may even be carcinogenic!) from the grocery store baby section. You can use either unscented or scented cornstarch powder. DO NOT use commercial flea powders or other pesticides on your bunny. Use only baby-safe cornstarch powder for best, safest results.

2. Place bunny is a comfortable position so that the soiled parts are easily accessible. This may involve placing him in your lap on a bunched towel so that he feels secure, or simply laying him on the floor in a comfortable position, if he’s calm and won’t try to run off.

3. Liberally apply the cornstarch to the soiled areas, and gently work the powder down into the fur, around messy poops, and down to the skin.

4. Work the powder around any stubborn clumps of debris gently. As the cornstarch coats the mess, it will slide away easily.

5. Once the largest bits of mess have been removed, use a soft-tipped brush to gently loosen any remaining dirt and debris.

6. Pat the powdered areas well to remove loose powder.

Only if that doesn’t work, then you bath Ginger in about 2 inches of warm water and a towel underneath so she has some traction and some very gentle pet shampoo. Then you can work the poop out from her fur gently. Towel dry her and you can use a blow dryer on low, but you don’t want to point it directly at her, since rabbits have very sensitive and thin skin.

Oh my WORD:  that is a FUNNY picture!!!  Thanks for sharing it!

I think you’ve been given some great advice on the bath thing, but if you decide a full-on water bath is not for you and your bun, I have a couple of suggestions on how to get rid of the mess without water so that your bun isn’t stressed.  Sugar gliders also can’t be bathed (actually, not only is it completely foreign to them to be submerged in water as arboreal animals, but they, too, are terrified…and rightly so…I know some people have sadly, sadly drowned their own gliders inadvertently).  The worry with some animals isn’t just with fear, but that some can actually drown from the inside if they get scared and end up breathing water into their lungs.  So I’ve got to have tricks handy.

1) You can always take a pair of scissors and trim away the matted or stuck on things.  Quick, easy, safe (provided you don’t have a fear of scissors and animals in the same proximity);

2) Huggies makes a sensitive skin wipe that is fragrance free, and is even more gentle than some "pet" wipes. You can put the wipes in the microwave for 5 or 10 seconds (depends on your microwave) JUST until they are warm…not hot!  You can gently "grab" the dirt and "slide" it off with these, being careful to make the closest part of the fur taught right at the skin with one hand (so that you are not pulling on tender skin).  This will take a bit longer, but if water is a concern, it does work;

3) Wet a washcloth heavily (soaking) and rub some baby or gentle pet shampoo in.  Spot wash the area in question…you can get the area wet without scaring the animal about getting *into* standing water.  When the dirt is dislodged, rinse the same way.

Hope this helps!  It may not…but I hope it does.

i guess I forgot to mention the bath water level!!! Thanks Gravehearted!!!

If you do decide to bath, defo make sure the water is only a couple of inches deap!!

Let me add to the pictures though.

11018232456571.jpg

(giggles)

You have soggy buns!

*laughing*

oh my, your soppy bunny looks more sinister than the one I found on cheezeburger! Looks like the dreaded red-eyed Jackrabbit charging up its batteries! or Terminator Bunny

yes…we joked that we had turned her from fluffy bunny into demon bunny with one little bath *laughing*

She also expresses her disgust with being bathed by running all over stomping and grunting…She holds the grudge for only a couple of hours though…shes a very forgiving "demon bunny"