Is there something good/safe for a shinier coat?

[bunny_psychotic]

Hi,  I am expecting visitors. This will be the first time they meet Vie. His coat, even tho I groom (brush) him, is lacklusterr. Is there something safe out there or whatever that I can do to make it look less dry?  TIA

[Deleted User]

Are you looking to polish him for your visitors? There isn’t anything you can put on him that would be safe for rabbits, but if you think his coat is rough for whatever reason you could have him checked out by a vet. Has his coat changed? Is he going through a molt? Unless there is a skin condition, his coat should come out fine after brushing. Some rabbits have shinier fur than others.

[bunny_psychotic]

you know…he could be going thru a molt. Hmm. No its not rough, just as I said lackluster. Maybe I’ll purchase a new brush for him. Thanks.

[Beka27]

How long have you had him? When I first got Max, his coat was in rough shape, just from being in the rescue and not getting consistent brushing and a so-so diet. Best thing is going to be more frequent brushing and a high quality diet. There’s not any quick fix. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t want much to do with your company anyways. My buns tend to keep to themselves when company is over.

[Deleted User]

Is he neutered, or very recently neutered? A neutered rabbit’s coat will be much fluffier and softer. The hormones in an intact male rabbit can cause his coat to have a rough appearance.

[Beka27]

Really Petzy? I didn’t know that!

[Deleted User]

You wouldn’t see any changes in a rabbit’s coat if he was neutered very young. In adult, mature buns, I have. Neutering changes an animal’s coat because hormones are responsible for the production of oils in the hair and how much hair grows in, etc. This would not be noticeable in a rexed rabbit or an angora, but in some breeds, the regular-coated rabbits, you would be able to see and feel a diifference. I don’t know if spayed females experience similar changes, but in other species spayed females also do.

[bunny_psychotic]

Wow this is so much good information. Thanks! But I disagree regarding company and any rabbits I’ve had over a course of 30 yrs. All of them seem to come alive and just that, get excited. In my experience, house rabbits dont much like quiet. Thats why I always leave soothing music on when I’m not home. His diet is very good — but what I WILL try is brushing him more, tho he hates it

[Beka27]

Wow! Well, you must have very adventurous rabbits! Mine take awhile to warm up to new people.

[bunny_psychotic]

It might have something to do with this…. I’ve always tried to spend A LOT OF TIME with each one I’ve had. So maybe that helped to make them feel safe and relaxed. Funny — I once had a rabbit “angel baby” who would go around to each guest at a party, get up on his hindlegs to beg for a treat! It was hillarious. Noone could believe what they were seeing! Adorable….

[Beka27]

How sweet! That really puts house rabbits in a good light for friends and family too.

[RabbitPam]

I have noticed that using the Hair Buster Comb has helped make Sammy’s coat very silky. I also seem to remember reading that there’s a food that makes their coats more silky too. Was it the Oat Hay? Because that’s what she prefers to eat, and she’s gotten very silky this past year. She’s post spay, btw.

[bunny_psychotic]

hmmm. Oat Hay…interesting.   I’ve only seen Timothy, Orchard and Bermuda Hay where I shop. I may have to go online.
What company makes the one you buy?

[bunny_psychotic]

to Beka 27:  I love that pic of the two buns!!!  Too  precious.

[bunnytowne]

When I brush Cotton Boo his hair gets real soft. 

Ruby Ravishings doesn’t get real soft though.  She is more a wooly girl.  She looks a little shiny though.   I brush her everyday.   Cotton about 3x a week.  I notice a big difference in his coat after I brush.  It is very soft.

[LoveChaCha]

I tend to buy my hay online, and i’ve bought several different types recently to give to my bun. it is on the way to my house. can’t wait to try it. i got meadow grass and other types of grasses. i wish i could use oat, but i’m allergic to hay oat looks really messy but hey, if its for the bun, why not? LOL.. if only i werent allergic.

i agree with bunnytowne, my bunny has very shiny fur after a groom. her hair is very shiny in general. i use oxbow timothy based pellets for my bun. perhaps that is another reason my bun’s fur is kept shiny shiny

[KatnipCrzy]

I think diet plays a huge role in a bunnys coat- when I adopted Schroeder he was on really cheap pellets, and got some handfuls of hay.  His coat was a little dull and not as plush as Cottons.  Not enough to be concerning but it was obvious.  And he did not shed for about 4 months.  And then the good diet really kicked in and he grew a plush soft coat and now sheds like crazy- just like my other 2 bunnies.  So I think age, spay/neuter status and diet play a huge role.  Though it is always possible that a rabbit could have a poor hair coat regardless of any of those factors are genetics will play a role also.

 

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