Many people ask this question and there are also many hypotheses about it. Some consider that it is not good to bathe rabbits, because they, in addition to being very clean animals that are constantly grooming themselves (like cats), have a protective layer on their skin that could be removed and are also very sensitive, so, submerging them in water could cause stress and anxiety.
However, other people believe that, on the contrary, it is very good to bathe rabbits, as it helps to eliminate loose hair (and, therefore, to avoid the dreaded hairballs in the stomach of the rabbit), remove urine and fecal material that can accumulate in its lower fur, by lying down in its resting space.
On our site we consider that both parties have points in their favor and balancing the two options is our recommendation. Yes, you can bathe your rabbit, but there are some important things to consider and do it a few times a year, or if you find your pet is very dirty. In this article on our site, we teach you all about it and answer your question: can I give my rabbit a bath?
Do rabbits bathe?
In general, it is not necessary to bathe a rabbit, unless it has become very dirty. As we said, rabbits, like cats, are animals that clean themselves by continually grooming themselves. However, we can assess the possibility of bathing our rabbit in the following cases:
- If the rabbit is very dirty.
- If she is shedding.
- If you have a lot of hair and very long (it falls out more easily).
If you're not sure whether you should wash your rabbit or not, it's best to Consult your vet. Now, how to bathe a rabbit? We explain it in more detail below.
How to bathe a rabbit? - Prepare the bath
The bath should be a relaxing time for your rabbit and should not represent any stress for the animal. Choose a time when you can have time and patience. Prepare a sink or sink. Never force it, treat it with great affection and speak softly to it, the bath is not its favorite time of the day, the least you want is to traumatize your rabbit. Bathing a rabbit is not fun, be careful not to throw it into the water, do everything carefully.
The water temperature is neither too cold nor too hot, Tepid and pleasant, as if it were for a baby. It is better to give them a bath in the spring-summer season than in winter, because you could catch a cold. Forget about "relaxing" it with bath s alts, bubbles or substances that may be toxic. Rabbits have extremely sensitive skin.
How does a rabbit take a bath? - During the bath
You can use a special ph soap for rabbits, baby soap or shampoo (this will help reduce redness or irritation on their eyes in case soap gets on them), and then, as in the usual instructions, rinse well. In fact, try as much as possible not to wet his face directly, with this you will also prevent soap from getting into his nose and mouth. Don't use your own soap or shampoo, no matter how natural or no matter how shiny it makes your hair…not even a bit!
Don't take advantage of this time to cut its claws, fur or untangle it, leave it for another time, the stress of the bath is enough.
How to bathe a rabbit? - Drying
Have a dry towel ready, take your rabbit, Cover him up and hug him for a few minutes You will give him security and help him not to catch a cold Then, let it dry naturally, try to don't use a dryer, it can be invasive, frighten and burn it. If you need to speed up the drying process, set the blow dryer on its softest setting but don't stick it to the fur. Before taking your rabbit out of the room, it must be completely dry.
By making the bath a pleasant and relaxing experience, your rabbit will feel more and more comfortable. Rabbits swim like dogs and cats, who knows, maybe one day you find your rabbit swimming in the sink.
Learn more about rabbits
- Why is my rabbit losing fur?
- Rabbit care
- Diarrhea in rabbits
