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Grooming

© Chandra Beal

Rabbits are relatively low maintenance pets, but they do require occasional help from their humans to keep them in tip top shape. They are fastidiously clean creatures that groom themselves, just as cats do, by licking their fur. Grooming techniques can be done by your veterinarian, but many things are easily handled by the layperson. Get in the habit of giving your rabbit an overall exam once a month. Most things can be easily checked while you are petting them. Let's proceed head to toe:

Ears

Wax builds up inside the rabbit's ears on a regular basis. It can be cleaned out using a long, dry cotton swab. Be careful not to push wax further into the ear canal. You can also use ear drops such as Nolvasan Otic to soften the wax first. Squirt a few drops into the ear and massage around the outer ear base to spread it. Most rabbits hate having their ears cleaned because it tickles, so be sure to restrain them in a towel or by some other means first. Or enlist your vet to do the job!

Eyes

Rabbits don't need any active maintenance for their eyes, but they do need to be monitored. Get familiar with what is normal for your rabbit, and watch for tearing, redness, or discharge. If you see any changes in the eyes, your rabbit needs to be diagnosed by a vet.

Teeth

Rabbits have two sets of upper and lower incisors, one row behind the other. These are the visible "buck" teeth. They also have cheek teeth and molars for grinding their food. Their incisors grow continuously and must be worn down through everyday chewing activities. While you're petting your rabbit, gently pull back their lips to see their teeth. The incisors should be straight and aligned. If they are growing crooked, your rabbit may have malocclusion. If treated quickly, malocclusion is sometimes correctable. Unluckier rabbits must have their teeth trimmed on a regular basis so that their crooked teeth don't interfere with their ability to eat. Most people cringe at the thought of trimming a rabbit's teeth, but their nerve roots aren't as long as humans and they won't feel a thing. Your vet can trim teeth or show you how.

Fur and Coat

Rabbits shed their coats several times a year, alternating light and heavy sheds. Most have a distinct pattern that begins at the head and gradually moves toward the tail. Some rabbits will shed their fur down to the skin, leaving patches of skin exposed. This is normal! Because they cannot vomit as cats do, rabbits are especially vulnerable to hair balls during their sheds. It is very important to brush your rabbit weekly in between sheds, and daily during a shed. Most rabbits like to be brushed, and it's a great way to bond. Some people "pluck" their rabbits by gently pulling loose hair out with the hands, or use a grooming glove with textured dots to grab the fur. You may want to give your rabbit a bit of Laxatone or fresh papaya or pineapple during their heavy sheds to help prevent hair balls. If you find that your rabbit's fur is matting, use a pair of short, blunt scissors to remove the mats.

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