Grooming

[Deleted User]

I try to groom my boys a everyday, but I tend to not use the two brushes I have because they don’t really pick up a ton of fur. I use my hands instead while I’m petting them and pick off the loose fur as I see it. Is this okay? Should I go back to the brushes? The brush was great when they had mites because of the loose skin, but for fur it doesn’t do anything really.
Also, I try to rinse their water dishes out once-twice a day because they’re in a heavy molt, but there’s always fur in the water. It makes me panic that they’ll get a blockage. The fur is also all over their cages ten minutes after I’ve cleaned out the cages.

[Wick & Fable]

Unless there’s literally huge hairballs in the water, or your rabbits seem susceptible to fur blockages, I think a few strands in the bowl is fine, especially since you’re changing it regularly.

Hand grooming is fine, as long as you’re getting an effective amount. I only hand groom Wick because brushes don’t take anything off, while one clasp of my fingers on his butt takes off a lot of fur. Also with hand grooming, you learn about your rabbit’s molting pattern and how it sheds, allowing you to do it more effectively. Wick has his distinct molt lines, so I tug against that daily to see where new fur has grown in, ousting the old fur. Also, you can easily tug-check tufts that look loose that aren’t on the molt lines, and tug the surrounding area to find a gold mine of loose fur. I honestly think it’s the most effective method if your rabbit tolerates it, and you’re willing to learn as you go to be the most effective grooming hands.

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.

[Deleted User]

No giant fur balls. There’s just always some loose strands. It doesn’t help Asriel plops his butt in his water dish ? I do exactly that when I groom them by hand! Bombur molts the most on his bum so I feel like I’m constantly tugging his cute little bottom to get all that hair. Asriel doesn’t molt a ton, but Bombur is just always flying with fur. He’s also my problem child with his tummy, so I’m constantly watching his every move.

[Q8bunny]

Chewie no longer tolerates anything except hands, so you’re not alone

[joea64]

I’m still having a hard time getting Panda and Fernando to hold still for either the Love Glove or the Hair Buster. To add to the fun, I’m pretty sure that one or both of them is molting with the recent dramatic drop in temperatures across the northeastern and mid-Atlantic US.

[Deleted User]

Ophelia’s hair is just so fine and silky that a brush gets almost NOTHING. I just pluck at her with two fingers. Like when you get your hair cut and you see them use their index and middle finger to flatten it out? That’s what I do…It’s more like plucking than grooming hahah but I will get whole tufts of fur whereas I could brush and brush and get nada.

[Scarlet]

I read and heard from some of the softer-furred breeds that using actual brushes can make the rabbits upset or hurt their tender skin, so the rejection of brushing could be that. I know mine hate if they are more than surface-brushed.

[Rain]

What type of brushes do you have? I have a metal flea comb thing and I weaved a thick rubber band into the bristles from the bottom. It picks up twice as much hair now, and this is great because my bunny has really silky, short fur.

[Author]

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