Grooming a Difficult Bunny

[Abigail Ray]

I am a new bunny mom and I have never had a bunny before. I’ve had Ella for about five weeks now.

I have done plenty of research on grooming bunnies but reading about it and doing it are two different things! Ella does not like to be picked up AT ALL and she won’t even let me try without jumping away and flicking her feet at me and thumping. 

Her nails were trimmed about two weeks ago at the vet but eventually I will have to do it on my own! I also want to trim the fur on her feet as it is very long and I worry that it absorbs lots of her pee. I don’t want to hurt her or lose her trust so I have been hesitant to try and “catch” her to do some grooming. 

Does anyone have suggestions on grooming a difficult bunny? 

I worry most about hurting her and losing her trust, how likely is this?

…

I wanted to add that besides if I try to pick her up, she is totally fine being near me. She licks my face and she licks my hand when she wants to be pet. She will jump on and over my legs and flop down near me, so I don’t think she dislikes me. She’d sit by me all day and get head rubs if I didn’t have class! She’s a sweet bunny but will have an attitude when I try to handle her in a way that she does not like. I want to treat her well and respect her as best I can but I still have to make sure she is healthy – even if she doesn’t like it!

[MoxieMeadows]

I’ve had my rabbit (angora, so loooooong fur) for three years…she still hates to be groomed with a passion. I find that (when she’s done getting groomed) after I give her some treats she’s usually okay with me after, she doesn’t hold a grudge for TOO long.

As long as you’re gentle with her, you shouldn’t hurt her. I groom my rabbit on the floor to prevent her from jumping away and getting hurt. Also if there’s a specific spot that is your rabbit’s “space”, respect it. I never remove/touch my rabbit, Moxie, when she’s in the cage attached to her x-pen (of course there are situations, like an emergency, when I would remove her). That’s her “safe zone”.
As for nail trimming, if her nails are dark and you can’t see the quick, there are the “press-press-clip” methods, and using a flashlight.

Also, it helps (in Moxie’s case at least) to give treats/pellets throughout the grooming session, and after. Also, try to make them quick, and not drag out too long.

[Abigail Ray]

Thanks for your reply! I am happy to hear that your bun doesn’t hold a grudge too long, I hope I get the same results from mine. Maybe a bit of banana at the end will help her forgive me 

I appreciate the information about her “safe space”. I never take her out of her hidey places but I am bad about putting my hand in to rub her head which so far she always gives permission of sorts and will ask for more. I think that I will stop this though so that she will know that it is just her space. She is basically free to roam around my room when ever she wants but she does have a cage with a door that is always open.

I will look into the nail clipping methods you mentioned, I haven’t heard of press-press-clip but she does have dark nails so anything will help.

To get your bun to stay where you are and not escape, do you ever use a towel over her? I hear that it will help the bun stay a bit more calm. 

I guess it’s just something that she and I will both have to get use to and we will figure out what works together!!

I just wanna be a good bunny mom! 

[MoxieMeadows]

I think bananas might definitely help.

The Press-press-clip method is what I usually use (for my dogs too!). Pretty much, you just apply pressure a couple times, to see if you get a response. If she struggles/tries to pull away, you are probably too close to the quick, and should try a different spot. Moxie tends to pull away a lot anyway, so it’s not always the *most* reliable thing ever (as with anything).

I’ve never used a towel because Moxie tends to overheat quickly (I think it’s due to her super thick and long fiber), but a lot of people seem to have good luck with it. When I groom Moxie on the floor, I sit on my butt with my legs in a “circle”. (My feet touching each other, and there’s open space in the circle). Moxie sits in the circle, and I will groom her like that.

[MoxieMeadows]

And when I said apply pressure, I mean with the clippers. You press on them like you are about to clip the nail.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi and welcome

This is a very good link for nail clipping and how to hold your rabbit during this – don’t forget to use proper kitty/bunny nail clippers (round blades) rather than human ‘flat’ nail clippers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9KemnaTGIs

[narkut]

My bunnies would never sit still like that! They hate being touched so grooming is always a struggle. However, last night we had our first brushing session since starting clicker training and it was an absolute success! They sat still and remained very calm. I would highly recommend clicker training whilst grooming, for practical reasons and to help your bunny feel safe.

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