Grooming a restless bunny

[Carolyn]

Hi, sorry to keep asking so many questions here. This is a really great community and I’m learning so much as a new bunny mom.

I was wondering what’s the best way to groom a restless bunny? I can’t hold the bun without him trying to get away (He jumps down then returns to my lap as if we’re playing). I brush him as much as I can while he’s calm for a massage, but when it’s no use trimming his nails. His nails got so sharp that when he itched his ears they would get kind of red and they hurt when he climbs on my back, so I gave it an places some alfalfa leaves down and trimmed them while he was concentrated on eating. I probably didn’t cut them short enough, but I did get the points so at least there’s that. I would love to take him somewhere to get them done, but I feel like that’ll be even more stress to him, as he’s had many visits to the vet in his short life span. 

I’d love it if he’s sit still enough like he does at the vet. They are able to wrap him in a blanket and keep him calm(ish, he’s probably just crazy-scared) but if I try, no use. Try to hold him to a table? Struggle. I’ve tried holding him tighter, but he just struggles to get away and I don’t want him to hurt himself. 

He’s now at the stage where he’s climbing EVERYTHING, and he does some stupid things, so he doesn’t understand the danger of falling yet. (Like his cage is against the wall in a corner, but on one side there’s his hay container on the outside. There’s NOTHING ELSE besides that container and the wall, but he decides he needs to climb on top of that small container and then not fit and fall. I’ve since bunny-proofed that area, but omg he is such a trouble-making-toddler. )

I’ve tried waiting until he’s sleepy but if I ever go by his cage, even if the door is open, he gets excited and comes out, and then is restless. The only thing I can do right now is lure with food/pellets, but I don’t want to rely on that.

And I know it’s probably mostly him not being neutered. He’s almost 3 months old, so I think it’s almost time (especially since he’s started spraying, he’s not using his litter box as well as before and peeing everywhere, let alone pooping ev-ery-where.) but I think I have to wait until I see testicles? I don’t want to stress him out too much and accidentally kill him from over-stress… He’s getting over a cold so I don’t know what the best way to go through this is..

Thanks for reading! Looking forward to anyone’s response!!

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

I’ve got a couple strategies… you might find one works better than the other. For either tip, try to do a little bit of brushing often, rather than all in one go.

I’ve had a couple buns that hated being brushed. For one, I would opt to wait until they were sleepy after a meal, and start off by petting only. Then start gently combing while petting their head at the same time. I also found that hand plucking lose fur was more effective than combing.

With the other bun, I would brush/pluck while he was eating his pellets. He was insanely food driven, so I he was so focused on eating that I could brush him during that time.

If you really need to do a thorough grooming (I’ll usually do this when I’ve already got them for a nail trim), I set them on a towel on the table. One hand over their eyes, and brush with the other hand.

Be prepared to get some thumps and dirt flicks right after though, and the bunny butt for a little!

. . . 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.  

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