Does brushing a rabbit hurt?

During the heavy part of a shed, daily brushing is ideal. Keep in mind that rabbit skin is quite fragile, so be gentle and use a brush designed for rabbits if possible. A bristle brush is preferable to a metal toothed slicker which may hurt their skin.

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Does it hurt rabbits when you brush them?

The problem is that many rabbits absolutely hate to be groomed. The feeling of the brush pulling their fur is very uncomfortable to a rabbit's delicate skin. That's why it's important to pay attention to how you are brushing your rabbit.

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Are you supposed to brush your rabbit?

You should brush your rabbit at least once a week. Twice a week is the ideal amount, however depending on the length of the hair and the season it may vary. If your rabbit has super thick, long hair, you may need to do it more in the summer time so that they are comfortable and aren't overheating, etc.

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How often should I brush my bunny?

Brush your rabbit every 3-7 days.

If you have a long-haired rabbit, you might need to brush it even more often, while you may be able to brush short-haired rabbits about once a week. If your rabbit's poops are linked together, chances are it's ingesting too much hair. Try brushing it more often.

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What happens if you don't brush your rabbit?

If you don't groom him, he will groom himself, ingesting the fur, which often leads to hairballs or even intestinal obstructions and a visit to the veterinarian. Always provide your bunny with plenty of fresh timothy and oat hay, changed daily, to help keep his system clear of hair build-up.

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How to Properly Brush a Rabbit

24 related questions found

Is it OK to always touch the rabbit?

Most rabbits will be very happy to be pet for long periods of time, but there are areas that they prefer not to be touched. A rabbit who is pet in these areas is likely to jump away instead of relax: Butt: A rabbit's bottom, right around their tail, tend to be a sensitive spot where they don't like to be touched.

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Should I pick up my rabbit everyday?

Little and often is the key, a couple of goes of whichever stage you are at a few times per day is plenty. Don't make all your interaction about learning to be picked up; grooming your rabbit, playing with toys and just hanging out in the same space will all help your bond and build trust.

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Should you brush a rabbits belly?

If you notice that the hair on your rabbits' flanks, belly and just above the tail isn't falling away easily, it's important to help remove dead hair with daily brushing.

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Why does my rabbit lick me when I brush him?

Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.

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Should I clean up rabbit poop?

Whenever your rabbit pees or poops outside the litter box, you want to make sure you thoroughly clean it up. Sweep or vacuum up the excess poops, mop up the pee, and use a pet-safe cleaner to disinfect the area.

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Is it OK to scruff a rabbit?

Rabbits should never be picked up by their ears or by the scruff of their neck. Some people might also hold their rabbits on their back in a “hypnotised” or “tranced” state, where they go really still.

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Where should I not touch my rabbit?

Rabbits generally have a few sensitive spots where they dislike being touched - their dewlap (under the chin), whiskers and feet. Some rabbits are also extremely sensitive about their ears or tail.

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How do you let your bunny know they hurt you?

If your rabbit nips or bites you (sometimes rabbits nip when they want something or want your attention - it's not always aggressive): give a high-pitched squeal as soon as she nips or bites you. This will let her know that she hurt you and she should not nip or bite you.

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How should you not hold a rabbit?

Hold rabbits gently but firmly - ensure one hand supports their back and hindquarters at all times. Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them.

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Should I brush or comb my rabbit?

Place your rabbit on a towel on your lap and use a soft bristle brush or a rubber brush for short-haired breeds, and a slicker brush or comb for long-haired breeds. Use gentle pressure and long, slow strokes in the direction of hair growth to avoid hurting your rabbit.

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Do rabbits like being left alone?

In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.

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How many hours should I spend with my bunny a day?

At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.

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How do you wash a rabbit's face?

You simply take a damp washcloth and work out any stains or dirt from your rabbit's fur. It's okay to use a little bit of soap to help if it's a tough spot to clean. This method of cleaning a rabbit is best for small messes that are only on the surface level of the fur.

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How do you clean a rabbit without a bath?

Use baby wipes. Baby wipes are the easiest method of cleaning your rabbit without bathing it. Use baby wipes that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and hypo-allergenic for best results. You want a wipe that is strong enough to clean your bunny without tearing, and which is soft so that it won't hurt your bunny's skin.

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Is it OK to wash a bunny?

Routine bathing

This is totally unnecessary and potentially very harmful to rabbits. Rabbits do not require routine bathing and in fact frequent washing, either with or without shampoo, strips the rabbit's fur of its natural oils, which helps to keep the rabbit's coat in good condition.

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