Do not bath your rabbit!

By Marit Emilie Buseth

 

Rabbits are clean creatures, who care for their own and other`s fur. Bathing is uncessesary, traumatic and may lead to shock and serious diseases. Please do not bath your rabbit!

 

       

               Photo: Marit Emilie Buseth

 

If they are dirty and suffer from a stinky bottom, one must gently flush and clean the area with lunkwarm water. Do not wet the whole rabbit. Cut off any dirty fur, clean up their litter tray and improve their diet and living conditions. A healthy rabbit  with a grass-and-hay-based diet will will have dry stools, that do not cause such problems.

 

One must never forget that rabbits are prey. They prefer to be in charge of their bodies, and being held under water is a stressful and scary experience.

 

Wet rabbits are prone to both hypothermia and respiratory diseases. In addition, regular bathing may damage the rabbits coat, due to impairment of the natural oils.

 

     

 

 

 

Captivity ofte prevent animals from performing their natural behaviour. In the case of rabbits, restrictions on the ability to move about have serious consequenses, and one should have knowledge on the species`needs and preferances when considering types of living arrangements. Get a thorough understanding of the rabbits`natural habitat, health, social behaviour and all topics vital to offer them suitable living conditions in a domestic setting in Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care.