Bunny Bath

[Hedi]

We decided to name our new little guy Cooper.

But… he kinda smells funny and he is a little sticky. lol

I have never bathed a rabbit before. Attempting on either of the girls would mean getting seriously hurt.
Any suggestions?

[cookie627]

try using the powder stuff. my mom says that giving your rabbit a bath could kill it. But i think its not true.

[Hedi]

He needs a real bath- I dont think powder will help with the stickiness.

I know people give their buns baths-i see it all the time on myspace. Usually after they have been outside digging up in the dirt.

I am taking him to the vet tomorrow for his first checkup

[Gravehearted]

it’s better to spot clean a bunny with a damp wash rag, since giving a bunny a full bath is highly stressful.

does he smell kinda skunky? it may be that his glands might need to be cleaned – there’s more info on how to clean them in the bunny info – monthly maintenance schedule.

[Hedi]

He smells like a wet dog. But my biggest issue is he is sticky all over. After I pet him my hands feel dirty.

My girls never feel like this. So every time I play with him I have to wash my hands.

[BinkyBunny]

Fully bathing a bunny is really a last last resort as it can be so stressful for some that they can go into shock.

What about getting a brush and wetting it, and brushing him witth a damp brush and then towel dry him a bit.  Or take a damp towel and rub him down.   Also, try and towel dry him as best you can so he doesn’t get a chill.

Is his fur oily?  It could be from a poor diet prior to you getting him, and so when he has a healthier happy life, his fur will show it.

Be sure to post and let me know how that worked.

[Hedi]

I think he is kinda oily-since he leaves a residue on my hands after petting him.

I like the idea of using the wet towel. I think I will try that. He is just so well behaved that he should do fine. He acted perfectly at the vet yesterday-except for when the vet was checking his man parts. lol Didnt like that too much. But he just laid down while we were there and was fine.

[BinkyBunny]

So what finally worked?

[Hedi]

What I finally ended up doing is running just a little bit of water in the bath tub-not even an inch high. Then I took a wash cloth and wetted him down. He didnt freak out but wasnt amused either. But that definitely helped with the smell.

 

[MooBunnay]

I know that a lot of buns at the rescue that I work with have the same situation with their fur feeling dirty (I haven’t had sticky before, but definitely dirty, and a bit rough) when they first move out of the shelter.  Usually with a good diet and good care their fur gets much softer a nicer. My boyfriend took two boys from a shelter that were definitely not so well off, and he feeds them the recommended house rabbit diet, and keeps their cage clean, and now they are the softest bunnies ever (he even makes me smell them when I come over to demonstrate how clean his bunnies are…he’s a tad strange that way!) So I think this problem will definitely improve as he adjust to his new and healthy diet!

[Hedi]

I have noticed a huge difference in him over the past few weeks. He isnt sticky and doesnt smell but boy, he sure knows how to spray and THAT stinks! lol

But he is so soft and he loves to sit in my lap and give kisses…and now that he is not stinky he can love on me all he wants. lol

We feed purina rabbit chow and he gets all the hay he could ever eat and his veggies and fruit so he is very happy and healthy.

 

[x liddo bunny x]

yay, less sticky bunny is a happier bun. =P gland u are going to neuter him…….. i am all the way over here and i am scared. lol

[Hedi]

I have learned to position myself behind something when I reach in to pet him so I dont get sprayed. lol His neuter appt is Tuesday. My girls have been fixed for awhile and that made a huge difference. I hope to bond him with little pookie. When I let him out I have to block most of her house off because he tries to break her out!! Cracks me up…i say he just wants to be her friend but my husband reminds me is is a horny little boy and he wants more than that.

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