Q: What is the best way to groom my rabbit?
A: Rabbits, especially the long-haired varieties such as the Jersey Wooly, need regular grooming to prevent knots and mats from forming in their very fine hair. Ideally one should get the bunny used to being brushed from a young age, as adult bunnies can take great exception to the procedure if not used to it. We sometimes even have to put a badly knotted bunny under anaesthetic to remove all the mats.
A good-quality slicker brush with plastic tips on the bristles is ideal. These brushes are often marketed for cats.
A thorough brushing, focusing on the chin and chest, the hindquarters and the belly, should be performed once or twice weekly.
Very fluffy bunnies may need daily brushing. Some owners choose to have their long-haired rabbits clipped. This is a viable option but should be performed by an experienced person, as it is very easy to cut the rabbit’s thin skin by accident.
Dr Dorianne Elliott, veterinarian
