How to clean oil from paws and coat

[Hotot]

h

Hello,

Here are my three treasures.  I knew very little about bunnies a year ago. But each of these were dumped near where I live.

We have not bonded them yet but that is next on our agenda. First, though, this little Jersey Wooly. She was covered in mats and she smells badly of oil. The vet got most of the mats out but she still smells terrible. Vet said I could take Dawn dish soap on a cloth and clean her up. But can someone give me more specific instructions ? We are in Southern California and the weather is great today. I can sit with her outside and she’d be dry in no time. I bought a soft slicker brush and soft detangling brush to help.

Thank you!

Amy

With Cinnamon, Pom Pom and to-be-named little girl. Vet says she’s about 2. Spay scheduled for May 16. Two boys are about 8 weeks post-neuter.

[LBJ10]

Do you know what the oil was? In general, rabbits should not be bathed. There are some exceptions though. A butt bath may be warranted if the rabbit has poopy butt. A bath may also be warranted if something dangerous got onto them somehow. This is why I’m asking what the oil is. If it isn’t anything toxic, you could try a dry bath first. You sprinkle small amounts of cornstarch on them and brush it out. The cornstarch soaks up the oils. This website gives good instructions: http://www.disabledrabbits.com/baths–cleaning.html

[DanaNM]

I agree that cornstarch is a better option to start with, but is there any visible oil? or is it mostly a smell? I worry that rinsing the dawn off would be hard, and then ingesting the soap might cause more problems.

. . . 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.  

[Hotot]

Thank you. She has started grooming herself and today I took a comb and just introduced her to it. I think I’m going to let the rest go. The vet offered to groom her while she’s sedated for spay on May 16. I don’t want to risk anything else. Thank you. I am too inexperienced and need to just focus on building trust. I appreciate your response.

[Hotot]

Corn starch seems like a safer deal! Thank you so much for helping me. It is so nice to get support. I feel more confident now. She is doing just fine and I can live with the smell for a while until it dissipates.

[LBJ10]

Yes, IF you do resort to a bath, I would not use Dawn soap. That would be way too harsh.

[Hotot]

Thank you.  I think hearing from you I am just going to live with the smell, which seems to be her own pee mixed in with motor oil. I’ll slowly start to use a comb and groom her as we progress., after she’s settled in.

[Author]

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