bun safe shampoo/soap?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 6 months ago by SirThumpsey.

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- 09/05/2012 at 2:24 PM
  SirThumpsey
  Participant
  539 posts
  I was looking over bud after i cleaned out his cage and he hasnt been cleaning himself too well….right around his tail there is (was, i cut it out) a wad of poo and his feet were stained with urine. I gave him a foot bath (soaking really) and cut the mats out. It’s gotten to the point where I have to do this atleast once a week. I don’t know if it is just old age or what. I’m gonna call the vet in the morning..and get an appointment.
  
  Is there a safe soap to use on his butt and tail area…or should I just use warm water and scissors?
- 09/05/2012 at 2:31 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  Hi!!!
  Just warm water and scissors You might be able to use the tinyest/almost non-existant dot of blue dawn, but its so lathery I think you might end up regretting trying to make sure its all rinsed. You should see if the vet will give it a shave until you figure out why he’s not cleaning himself
- 09/05/2012 at 2:43 PM
  SirThumpsey
  Participant
  539 posts
  Hey!!
  
  Luckily, we have one of those shower heads on a hose thing (cause my daughter doesn’t like to bathe anymore -_- and she screams the entire time) so I would think it would be a little easier. I run the rick of getting more of him wet than I want to….but the shaving thing sounds like a good idea…
  
  She couldn’t shave his feet though, could she?
- 09/05/2012 at 2:48 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  No, can’t shave his feet. I didn’t know their feet would get matted. I’d just fill the sink with 1/2in water and set him in for a few minutes, it should mostly work itself out. I wouldn’t use a shower head, too much of him would get wet.
- 09/05/2012 at 6:04 PM
  TH004
  Participant
  261 posts
  My first buns got sick and had to be cleaned a lot. I used puppy “sensitive” shampoo when it got really bad. Also, I bought dry rabbit shampoo (it is a spray) that worked really well between shampoos. I found both at a local Pet Smart, so I’m sure it can be found at many places.
- 09/05/2012 at 10:11 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  hmmm it’s not very normal for them to be like that-they are much like cats. Is anything going on medical wise that you know about? If not, I’d head to the vet to check everything out. I know your keeping his home clean so sitting in urine can’t be the culprit but perhaps he’s ill with a UTI or other issue?
- 09/06/2012 at 4:00 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I ditto K&K. I would start with a vet check first.
  
  I recently had to get some soap for Stormy who is unwell. I had never used soap on my buns but I read this article: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html
  
  Use a hypoallergenic, non-medicated shampoo. Most popular shampoos for humans–including baby shampoos–are not recommended for use on rabbits, as they can contain harsh ingredients that are rough on delicate rabbit skin. Pet shampoos containing pyrethrins and other “herbal” or “natural” insect-killing ingredients are not recommended, either. Plants make toxic compounds to kill their herbivore pests, and just because something is “herbal” or “all natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe for a bunny! The best shampoo (for you or your bunny) is an organic, environmentally-friendly (and cruelty-free) product with emollients to soothe the skin, with as few additives as possible. (Bunny-safe shampoos are easy to find at natural food stores or other vendors that sell environmentally friendly products. Read the label and be a smart consumer.)
  
  I bought a bar of one of my favorite human brands “Nature Clean” (chemical and cruelty free!). I just swish the soap in the sink so there’s just a bit of suds and then rinse really well.
- 09/06/2012 at 10:06 AM
  SirThumpsey
  Participant
  539 posts
  She didn’t shave him, but she did trim off more of the mats that I couldn’t get. She said he was really overweight and that maybe he’s having trouble reaching his bum area to clean it and she thinks he can’t reach his cecals….and he might be sitting on them. She suggested that I get him a bigger litter box and said that I should check and clean his bum (if needed) 2x a week… So that is doesn’t get so bad that I have to give him a butt bath.
  
  She also trimmed his nails for me too.
  
  So now i have to figure out how to get him to get more exercise….
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