Bathing rabbits

[Deleted User]

I’m sure I’ve heard that rabbits shouldn’t ever be bathed and this is something that I can 100% agree with. I’d just like to hear it from people who are more experienced with rabbits. I’ve just seen an advert for someone locally to me and it’s made me furious. The advert is selling two albino Rex rabbits and they state that they are “very lively and playful, love bath time and being cuddled afterwards’ I then scrolled through the pictures to see these two poor rabbits soaked to the skin wrapped in a towel looking terrified. My partner says I have a tendency to be a bit dramatic and that I can’t go on a one woman crusade to protect all rabbits from what I think is cruel just because I have two rabbits of my own. This has shocked me so much that I have messaged the seller telling them that it’s not appropriate to do that and the quicker they find a home away from them the better

[Deleted User]

I agree completely that they don’t need baths! And being soaking wet for them is terrifying I am sure! I have seen some videos on youtube that absolutely infuriate me. Most times that I’ve seen, people put them in a tub and think they are binkying around happy… nope, they are probably trying to get the f#@$ out of that water! Or I’ve seen them trance a bunny in a sink and think they are “relaxing”…. I just want to scream when I see that s#!t….

[Deleted User]

Sometimes I feel like people just think “oh look at them house bunny people up on their high horse thinking they know better”. But I wouldn’t say I was at all judgemental about how people care for their rabbits. I mean I’m new to having mine and I’ve made mistakes which Ive always tried my hardest to rectify if I’ve had to. But surely some things are just common sense? it makes me so mad sometimes how people just think living creatures are toys. Having my rabbits has really opened my eyes to so many things it’s crazy.

[joea64]

I hold myself out as no sort of expert of any kind in rabbit care. In fact, I like to describe myself, on this subject, as, in the phrase from The Mikado, “a terrified amateur”. I’ve only had Panda and Fernando in my home for four days and I’ve been walking on eggshells each and every day trying to avoid gross mistakes. But I at least researched and read for nearly two months to a nearly obsessive degree before taking the plunge, and even I have the wit to know that one should never, ever, ever give a rabbit a whole-body dunking in water.

[Deleted User]

I agree completely. Although I am a little bit judgy about how people care for their rabbits. lol I know we all make mistakes, especially as new owners, but I get SO unbelievably frustrated when someone gets an animal and they have just been too stupid or lazy to take the time actually gathering proper information. It’s not fair to the animal! Our pets depend on us!

[Deleted User]

Posted By joea64 on 8/24/2017 2:45 PM

I hold myself out as no sort of expert of any kind in rabbit care. In fact, I like to describe myself, on this subject, as, in the phrase from The Mikado, “a terrified amateur”. I’ve only had Panda and Fernando in my home for four days and I’ve been walking on eggshells each and every day trying to avoid gross mistakes. But I at least researched and read for nearly two months to a nearly obsessive degree before taking the plunge, and even I have the wit to know that one should never, ever, ever give a rabbit a whole-body dunking in water.

I also did my research to the point of obsession driven mania…. and I am STILL learning things! Goes to show you that you can never learn everything! But you can at least try and not be ignorant lol. That’s what makes me mad, the ignorance!!

[Deleted User]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/24/2017 2:51 PM

Posted By joea64 on 8/24/2017 2:45 PM

I hold myself out as no sort of expert of any kind in rabbit care. In fact, I like to describe myself, on this subject, as, in the phrase from The Mikado, “a terrified amateur”. I’ve only had Panda and Fernando in my home for four days and I’ve been walking on eggshells each and every day trying to avoid gross mistakes. But I at least researched and read for nearly two months to a nearly obsessive degree before taking the plunge, and even I have the wit to know that one should never, ever, ever give a rabbit a whole-body dunking in water.

I also did my research to the point of obsession driven mania…. and I am STILL learning things! Goes to show you that you can never learn everything! But you can at least try and not be ignorant lol. That’s what makes me mad, the ignorance!!

Yes, it is the ignorance of it all that’s frustrating. I actually got a response from the seller which was “please tell me why they sell rabbit shampoo if they shouldn’t be bathed”. Just really wish more people knew to delve a little deeper into things than what they see on pet store shelves. My partner is currently rolling his eyes in disbelief that I even messaged in the first place but I just needed to vent. I’m sure he thinks one day he will come home and I’ll have a whole rabbit army haha.

[Deleted User]

WOW what an idiot. Why do stores sell Oreos if they are unhealthy? Same principle lol. Just because something is for sale doesn’t mean it should be used. A manufacturer will sell anything if they can get stupid people to buy it.

[Mikey]

I have a bun who loves to play in very shallow water and absolutely loves to be rubbed down with a damp wash cloth (he lays in the litter box, often right after using it so wash baths are fairy common). I say this because it is possible for bunnies to enjoy water. But if theyre soaked to the skin and look terrified, something is wrong. Is it possible to report that person?

[Finnigan!]

I don’t bathe Finn other than to rid of a poopy bottom but I agree that some rabbits can enjoy water. Finn loves to run in the sprinkler outside. It’s one lf the things that makes him binky the most. He gets a runningstart and blots through the spray like a fluffy speed racer and plays like he’s having the time of his life

[Deleted User]

Just been having a read up on it and I completely see the point of cleaning them if they have a poopy butt. But like you say there are ways to do it. I also understand that rabbits might like water if it’s of their own free choice. These poor buns literally looked saturated from head to toe. I find it quite disturbing that this is seen as a selling point. I Always worry that I look completely unreasonable with stuff like this but i do think it needs reporting in some way.

[Q8bunny]

Good points above. Chewie, for instance, loves water. When we go to the beach, I have to be careful that he doesn’t get too close to the edge of the sea, because he will happily splash around (and then dry off and become a crusty salt monster lol).

Butt baths in an inch of plain warm water are also great for buns with poopy butt, or who have trouble grooming and are at risk of urine scald or fly strike.

What makes me shudder, though, are the tranced bunnies in the sink, looking like a soaked rag from tail to whiskers. Also using ANY kind of surfectant (detergent/soap/shampoo), because most people don’t realize just how delicate/fragile and prone to dryness bunny skin is. It resembles a nearly transparent sheet of hundreds-of-years old parchment paper and should be treated as gently as a museum curator would treat an ancient scroll.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Finnigan! on 8/24/2017 3:52 PM

I don’t bathe Finn other than to rid of a poopy bottom but I agree that some rabbits can enjoy water. Finn loves to run in the sprinkler outside. It’s one lf the things that makes him binky the most. He gets a runningstart and blots through the spray like a fluffy speed racer and plays like he’s having the time of his life

That sounds adorable 

[Deleted User]

Nice one! but I agree rabbits don’t take a bath that is why they smell stinky LOL

[Q8bunny]

Mmm… they really shouldn’t though. lol
If a bun is living in a clean space, and not obese, he should be clean and not smelly, because buns are fastidious groomers. Unless his poor scent glands are clogged, which can give a certain skunky whiff…

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By LikeBootRodeo on 8/26/2017 12:16 AM

Nice one! but I agree rabbits don’t take a bath that is why they smell stinky LOL

I’ve never known a rabbit to smell 

[Deleted User]

I’ve seen bunnies at the beach before, it’s soooooooooo cute!!! Some bunnies may like water. I was referring to the idiots on the internet that have their rabbits looking absolutely terrified while they laugh on camera and say its so cute…

The litterboxes certainly make my apt smell like a barn… but my bunnies are always clean When I snuggle with Ophelia I literally bury my face right into her, she’s not smelly at all!

[Q8bunny]

I can honestly say my apartment does not smell. I can smell the litterbox if I give Chewie kisses on top of his head while he’s in it, but otherwise no. But I’m like Noob – I have my nose buried in Chewie’s fur multiple times daily, and no smell at all.

[joea64]

Posted By Q8bunny on 8/26/2017 12:56 AM

Mmm… they really shouldn’t though. lol
If a bun is living in a clean space, and not obese, he should be clean and not smelly, because buns are fastidious groomers. Unless his poor scent glands are clogged, which can give a certain skunky whiff…

Haven’t come across that yet, thank goodness, but I’m going to have to check that as part of grooming (now how to get P&F to agree to being turned over???) One of the things I enjoy about my buns is their smell; they do have what I’d call a “rabbity” scent, but it’s very clean, light and pleasant. They’re young bunnies in top shape – they can look plump and round when they’re sitting or bunloafing, but they actually have lean, athletic little bodies under all that fluff, as I’ve found out while chivvying them back into their condo after they tried a jailbreak this morning! I haven’t seen them chinning anything yet, but I likely wouldn’t know if they have, since those scent glands produce a smell undetectable by the human nose.

[Q8bunny]

You don’t need to check, Joe. If they do get clogged, you’ll know without looking.

[Burichi]

Posted By LikeBootRodeo on 8/26/2017 12:16 AM

Nice one! but I agree rabbits don’t take a bath that is why they smell stinky LOL

I have never had smelly rabbits. They groom themselves like crazy, their litter boxes are always kept clean and changed every other day. They are not smelly animals.

I do not bathe my rabbits and have never done so. The only thing I would be okay with is if they get old and require butt baths as they are not able to do it themselves due to age/health conditions. But never fully submerged.

[Deleted User]

Posted By Q8bunny on 8/26/2017 7:53 AM

I can honestly say my apartment does not smell. I can smell the litterbox if I give Chewie kisses on top of his head while he’s in it, but otherwise no. But I’m like Noob – I have my nose buried in Chewie’s fur multiple times daily, and no smell at all.

I do have 4 litter trays located within 600 sq ft though so maybe that’s why I can smell it? I have also been told all my life that I just have a very sensitive sense of smell. . . . I will go in the bathroom and get mad that it smells like pee, and others are just like “what are you talking about . . . . ” 

I love to do a buried bunny snuggle!  I actually couldn’t believe how much Ophelia just lets me stick my face into her tummy. She won’t even let others pet her (besides my husband). She’s my person  ( any Grey’s Anatomy fans out there? ) 

[Q8bunny]

Not a fan, but know the concept. Choo’s totally my person too. He lets me use him as a tiny cushion when we watch Star Trek.

[Tony's Mum]

Tony was given a butt bath in about an inch of warm water about a week after he recovered from his spay because he’d been given a cone and couldn’t reach his bum to eat his cecals so they ended up pretty messy. He LOVED the water and kept trying to walk down the slope in the bathtub to the deeper part.

I still really would not like to have him totally saturated though, even knowing he loves the water. It takes a long time for him to dry! I definitely don’t think it’s appropriate for a rabbitry to advertise bathing bunnies as if it’s normal and recommend. I think you’re right to be mad!

[LittlePuffyTail]

My Bindi sometimes needs little butt baths and about once a week, I have to stick his little hands under the running tap to clean them. He can’t groom himself well and makes a lot of mess when he eats due to a past tongue injury.  Those hands get awfully green! Even just doing that really stresses him out so I can’t imagine how upset he would be if I gave him an actual bath.

[Author]

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