Bathing??

[CowieCow]

So this is probably obvious to everyone but does anyone bath their rabbits? I clean Cowie’s cage weekly, sometimes twice a week depending on her mood and whether or not she feels like shredding every last piece of newspaper or not. And I scoop her litter box daily, and fully clean it every week but occassionally I’ll walk by her cage and get a wiff of smelly rabbit. I don’t know if it’s healthy for them to be bathed or if there is some other alternative, because honestly if I try bathing her I may die from blood loss, and she’ll probably have a heart attack. I tried that dry shampoo powder stuff that you brush on but that just makes her fur feel weird and makes her crazy staticiky. Anyone have any tips or ideas? Please keep in mind that this is a bunny that will NOT allow any picking up or touching of the underneath areas, she won’t even let me touch her back feet. Anyway if anyone knows anything please share.

Thanks,

Katie

[Sarita]

Rabbits should not smell – does she have a poopy butt? If not what is it that is smelly about her?

I do not recommend bathing her – I do bathe some of my rabbits anal areas as needed if that’s what you are talking about – but only because they have issues.

[BinkyBunny]

Have you changed her diet recently – anything new?  Added anything like Basil?  How long has she been "smelly"?

I agree with Sarita, bathing shouldn’t be done as it can really stress out a bunny to the point of shock. And even with the rare rabbit that isn’t much bothered, their fur takes forever to dry and this can cause problems with body temperature.

So CowieCow, looks like you are going to have to muscle up, call in for some backup from a friend or family member and pick Cowie up and check out her underside and possibly spot clean her backside with luke warm water if need be or clean out her scent glands.

Here’s what I suggest . Use a towel to put her into a bunny burrito.   Have you ever done this before.  If not check out the monthly maintenance section and scroll down.  My Jack DESPISES being held and being prodded and probed. So this is the only way I have found that makes it easier.

You still have to be careful that when you expose the hind area, the Cowie doesn’t kick out into the air and injure herself. So you’ll want to have her legs pressing against you or a pillow.

Also, when you are first doing this, and if you are still feeling a bit unsure, then it’s best to be low to the ground, just in case she does make a break for it, she’s not far from the ground.

If you find out she’s had a messy pooter, then you’ll need to spot clean.    I usually run warm water over that area and work it all out.  No fun.

Let us know how it goes!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Aha another Colorado person.   Going to the World Series tomorrow?

It sounds like the smell might be the litter that you use.  What kind kind of litter do you have?  Osprey has single handedly converted us to Aspen Supreme pelleted litter and we can tell you it is AWESOME for odor control, even mixed 1/2 & 1/2 with Yesterday’s News.

Also, you may want to check underneath the flooring of the cage in case some pee has seeped under something.  When was the last time her scent glands were cleaned?  From the sound of it with the difficulty of handling her, never and that really would make a stink of "bunny."  What you may want to do is sign up for the Bunny Tune Up class at the local HRS: http://www.coloradohrs.com/tune-up.asp and they’ll show you how to safely handle your bun.  There is an annual Spring Fling in June where you can bring your bun and I know that the year before the vets on site did a tune-up. The other option would be to schedule a vet appointment to have them clean the scent glands.  I’de be more than happy to take care of it, but you’re kind of far!

[Beka27]

not thread-related… Colorado related…

good luck with the world series!  i’m an Indians fan and we got our butts beat by the Sox in the last three games of the ALCS… so i’m definitely pulling for the Rockies…

[CowieCow]

It’s funny because I live in Golden, but I’m actually from the Boston area, so this is a pretty cool year for me. I’m ruiting for the Sox, but I really think the Rockies deserve it, seeing their history and all. Either way good luck to both teams.

As for Cowie, I have seen the “bunny burrito”, they did it at the vet. I’ll have to try that. I have never cleaned her scent glands, and to be quite honest with you I really really do not want to, but if it’ll help the stink butt she’s got going on than it’s worth it. I’ll let you all know how it turns out.

[Scarlet_Rose]

That is funny, I went to college in Boston so I’m a little torn myself but I really hope the Rockies win because they never have before. I am thinking the scent glands could be part of the problem.  If it is hard, soak it first in aloe vera gel, vaseline or warm water, then gently slough it off.

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

Just keep an eye out that your bunny doesn’t get too hot while being ‘burrito-ed.’ My bun gets irritated and impatient when it gets too hot inside the towel. It also helps if you cover their eyes. My bun calms down much more when she cant see.

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