Is it okay to shave my rabbit?

[HoneyTaakoBuns]

I have two rabbits, Honeybun and Taako (pronounced like taco). They’re both mini rabbits, Honeybun being a short haired Dutch and Taako being an American fuzzy lop. With long hair. Lots of long hair. I knew what grooming I was signing up for when I got him, but he does not like being brushed. At all. He’ll deal with it for a few minutes during his breakfast, but he still runs and hides behind his girlfriend eventually. The problem is, the fur he sheds gets tangled with the fur he has and creates matted patches and bald spots. I try to brush him as best I can and cut the mats (carefully!) with a pair of dedicated fur scissors. But today he yanked himself to the side and I nicked him. He’s okay, he isn’t bleeding, and I’ve been keeping an eye on it. But now I’m too afraid of hurting him to cut out the mats!

My question is, should I just shave him?

Not naked, of course. Just shave him to keep his coat shorter and the matting problem more manageable since he hates being brushed. Is it even safe to do it myself? Or should I take him to my vet once a month or so for a haircut? Or should I just leave him alone and let him and Honeybun handle his grooming?

[Bam]

It is customary to cut angora rabbits’ fur very short 3-4 times per year. It’s called harvesting, but angora rabbits actually wont be at all happy unless you harvest their fur regularly.

My teddy lionhead was shaved when he came to me. It was after the unseasonably hot summer of 2018, so his former owners had shaved him so he wouldn’t get so hot.  It wasn’t a close shave, rather sth like 2 cm (about an inch) above the skin, except on his head and face. (I always cut away the fur around his eyes so he can see properly).

If a rabbit or dog is prone to forming fur knots, (some individuals are and some are not), it’s good to cut back the hair. You can cut vertically (perpendicularly) into the knots that are close to the skin, so you can part them manually and pluck out “dead” fur. Then,  if you maintain a regular brushing routine, chances are you can keep the fur knot-free.

Rabbits don’t have continuous hair growth like we do, so how long it takes before the fur grows back will depend on where in the fur growth cycle your rabbit is when you shave/cut his fur.

[Wick & Fable]

I don’t have experience, so I definitely defer to @Bam ‘s reply!

I will note that, especially if it’s your first time, having someone experienced show you how to go about it. If your rabbit vet is not experienced with it, you can try checking in with local rabbit rescues (if you have a local HRS chapter in your area), and perhaps they have a volunteer/member who has experience and could show you/guide you. I expect there may be videos online, but I do not have a discerning eye on which may be reliable or of best quality.

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.

[Author]

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