How do I give a butt bath?

[Jessica Rabbit]

My brother and father in law have aquired a new addition – a sweet lop bun named Thumper. He has a pretty gross case of poopy butt though – I know before they got him, he was on a terrible diet of “small animal feed” and no hay, only veggies he got were carrots (dried out for two days, cuz they thought it was better for him). They have asked me to come over and help give him a butt bath – what’s the best way to do this?

[jerseygirl]

Probably in a sink up at your height (so kitchen or laundry) or in a plastic basin on a table or something. Others here have recommended only putting in a few inches of lukewarm water. Let the soiled area soak a bit to soften things up and gently work out the mess. You could probably use a mild pet shampoo. Towel dry and use a hairdryer set on cool to aid drying out. It’s important they dry properly.
I’ll try find a link that has better instructions for you.

ETA:This one has good detail. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html  Goodluck!

[RabbitPam]

I agree with Jersey except for the part about being raised up. While I have often used the bathroom sink with an inch or so of water, it was for a bunny that was disabled and used to butt bathes already.

For my young and feisty Spockie who had poopy butt on occasion, I opted to put an inch of water in the tub. It’s a bit harder to lean over, but you can hold him firmly in place (or even better, have someone else place a firm hand on his shoulders and back for you.). He will run and squirm, but it’s hard for them to jump over the side of a slippery tub if they get away from you and if they do, it’s not a big fall.

Warm water, then take a washcloth or just your hand with mild unscented soap or baby shampoo (nautural stuff, unscented, not like Johnson’s) and gently rub under their butt and belly while he is standing in place. DO NOT get his head and ears wet at all. You can turn on the faucet lightly to rinse off your hand and cloth and just splash a fresh water rinse underneath to rinse the soap out. You could drain the tub first, but that takes a while and he’ll be wet and uncomfortable, so wiping down the soap and splashing it off is quicker.

Then out into a waiting towel, on someone’s lap or spread on the floor where you can lift him out and wrap him up quickly. Towel dry first, then blow dry on low, warm or cool setting. (Oops – Jersey said that already. ) The bunny will clean himself after, so if he’s still a bit damp it’s not harmful. You want him to be basically dry, but not get his skin hot, so stay at least a foot away with the blow dryer.

Then expect to see a pretty, clean backside as he gives you the bunny butt. He won’t be pleased until he notices he feels better. They like to be clean, so ultimately, they don’t mind the “end” result.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I’ve always done butt baths in the bathroom sink, I fill with about and inch or 2 of warm water and just let them sit for a minute, and work it out with my fingers. No shampoo needed

[Jessica Rabbit]

Thank you for the advice! I tried to give him a little bit of a dry bath with cornstarch today, but he was having *none* of it. I got quite a few thumps and foot flicks for my efforts, however. I don’t have a hairdryer (Seriously? what kind of chick -does- that), so I’m waiting until I can borrow my mom’s and then I’ll attempt a wet bath. I’ll make sure I have a helper to hold him down.

Do you think Dawn (dish soap) would be gentle enough to use to bathe him?

[Sam and Lady's Human]

haha I don’t have a blow drier either. I use a towel, and its warm enough in the house that they’ll be ok. Its not a full all over bath, only a small part of them get wet so it hasn’t been an issue so far.

I would think dawn is safe because its what rescues use on wild animals, but honestly, you shouldn’t need it, the poop will dissolve in luke warm water without soap, and then you don’t have to worry about the chance you left any on him.

[peppypoo]

Just wanted to add that hair dryers generally seem to scare the daylights out of bunnies so a good toweling might be better…this being said from experience back from when we were new inexperienced bunny owners who thought that bunnies needed bathing, heh.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I use the sink but very similar to what Jers and Pam described. I first put bunny on a towel to dry a bit, then bundle up in a towel and then bundle in a fresh towel (Three towels) then we go sit on the couch, all bundled up and under a blanky. They have such thick fur that you really need to keep them warm and dry.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

I hold my disabled bunny kamdyn really well on his back and have his butt up in the air and hold it under lukewarm water then i use a paper towel to soak up the water. This is how i give a dry bath. I use cornstarch you buy in the baking section. I put a little on where the poop is at rub it in with my fingers until the poop comes off. Then I take a soft brisal brush to make sure all the cornstarch is gone.

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