Angora rabbit grooming?

[Bunnybuzz]

Hello again,

If anyone knows anyone anything about how to groom rabbits or advise I would really, really appreciate it if you could help me out. I’m getting two angora rabbits in about 2-3 weeks and was just looking around for brushes and scissors for grooming, I’m getting a furminator small animal de-sheeding brush and a 2-in-1 brush and flea comb set. But I don’t know what scissors to get how to give them hair cuts… I’ll try to upload a photo of them but don’t know if it will work. 

Please, please, please if you have any advise let me know

Thank you

[SuperBunnyto]

I don’t know anything about bunny haircuts, as my bunnies do not require them, but I can tell you you about the nail scissors I use. They’re nail clippers for small cats and dogs ( I bought mine on amazon. They’re Nail Clippers with Big Handles for Cat Small-breed Dog Puppy & Small Animals Rabbit Bird.)

I also use soft bristle brushes for grooming, as bunny skin is very sensitive and bruises/ scratches/ cuts very easily. Grooming gloves and detangling combs are also a good idea, but I think people with long haired breeds will have more perspective than I do on this.

Update: I removed the link to the clippers, as I realized that it might be considered advertising. You can probably get these in any pet supply store.

[Sirius&Luna]

Where are you getting them from? If you’re getting them from a specific angora breeder, they should be able to show you how to groom them and what to use, so don’t be afraid to ask.

If it’s a rescue, then they might not have lots of experience with angoras, but should still be able to give some tips.

[Dface]

Normally people who pick angoras are not interested in giving them hair cuts-the general idea behind owning one is that it produces wool and this is what the owner wants.
Well kept, they should not need scissor cutting.
Angoras are hard work, they shed every 3 months, creating such a mess, and with two you are looking at an awful lot of fur, even if you pluck them, or shear them. Is there a specific reason you have chosen this breed?
My boy isnt a full bred angora and he sheds so much that its broken a hoover. He also hasn’t stopped shedding since I got him in March, as once he’s stopped the first shed, he’s straight into the next one. Be aware this is their design.

In terms of grooming, with two you will need to groom at least once a day, as they will gather a lot of wool from grooming each other as well as themselves, their wool is actually more likely to cause a blockage than regular fur so it’s really important to keep up grooming.
Slicker brushes are probably the best, furminators need to be used with great care, as they have potential to rip a chunk of skin out if you have caught too much fur in it (their skin is very delicate and the fur is actually relatively heavy for it) also the furminator causes scratches to the skin and irritation.
Ideally start with the slicker brush grooming in segments- take a small clump, pull it gently up so it stand vertical to the body and run the slicker brush from the bottom to the top and repeat. Grooming their tummy generally requires them to be flipped on their back .
In places where there is matting use a wide tooth comb, not a fine tooth, to work out the worst of it. Once its clear you can use the slicker brush over it.
I have a furmintator which I use during the last part of grooming, working only from the about 3/4’s down the length of the fur, this helps only to pull out shed fur that wasn’t removed by the initial grooming.

Scissor trimming if you are going that route, requires a blunt nosed scissors and lots of patience. I wouldn’t advice cutting close to the skin. Honestly only practice will make you good at it, but if you need to trim them you should accept that your rabbits are going to look ridiculous until you get the hang of it/the regrow their fur. Take a lock of the fur and hold it vertical to the rabbits body, take your blunt scissors and then turn the scissors horizontal to the rabbits body before cutting. This way if the rabbit moves you are less likely to cut it.

[DanaNM]

My understanding (from when I used to be in rabbit 4-H group) is that you’ll need a wide comb for the first pass (similar to the “hair buster” comb) for the first pass to get out the big tangles. Then you can use either a slicker or the hair buster to get the loose hairs out. If you start with the slicker you’ll just rip out fur, and that’s not what you want!

I would be very careful with scissors…. I feel like if they really needed a trim then electric clippers would be safer? I’ve only ever seen angoras trimmed in cases of extreme neglect when they had too many matted areas to deal with otherwise.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Bunnybuzz]

Hi everyone!

Thank you guys so much for your replies!

Superbunnyto: Okay I’ll look for them thank you!

Sirius&Luna: I’m getting them from some people who are moving to Florida and can no longer care for them since it will be way to hot for them there, I will definitely ask them for grooming advise though

Dface: No real reason for this breed but I was looking into adopting some bunnies after my two passed away about 4 months ago and when I saw these two sisters I fell in love. Oh wow that is a lot, I will definitely make sure to groom them once or twice a day. I haven’t gotten brushes yet so I will add a slicker brush to my list as long with a wide tooth comb and will make sure to be careful with the furminator. I thought it would work for when they are shedding and for lose hairs. Thank you so much for all the info on grooming this will help me out a lot!
Also I have a question; If I don’t need to trim them should I just groom them? It tends to get in the 80’s (and sometimes even the 90’s) in the Summer and I don’t want them to over heat or get heat stroke. What else would you recommend? Thank you again

DanaNM: Okay, thank you I’ll make sure to check that out. Yeah I think I might not trim them since after some research it doesn’t seem to be the best option, but I don’t want them to over heat so I’m trying to think about what else to do

THANK YOU THANK YOU, to everyone

[Bunnybuzz]

Also what combs would you get? I’m looking right now, should I get a dogs or cats comb? I also see something called WOOME Dual Sided Pet Grooming Brush

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