Grooming is a nice way to spend quality time with your rabbit. It helps your pet stay healthy and strengthens the bond you and your pet share. But even though rabbits are excellent groomers, they still need some help from their human friends.
The extra grooming removes excess hair that would otherwise form hairballs in your rabbit’s digestive tract. Rabbits can’t vomit, so hairballs threaten their survival. Check your rabbit’s teeth, ears and nails because your pet can’t do this itself. With the following advice from some rabbit-knowledgeable experts, you can learn the ins and outs of rabbit grooming.
Groom Safely
To make grooming more enjoyable for you and your rabbit, handle your pet as much as possible throughout its life. Establishing a trusting relationship with your rabbit makes it feel more comfortable when it’s being groomed. “The more you handle your rabbit, the more receptive it will become,” said Richard Gehr, a staff member at the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
Naturally, rabbits have a fear of falling when they are picked up, and they have a need to feel safe. Creating a strong bond with your rabbit helps ease these natural fears during grooming.
**For the full article, pick up the 2008 issue of Rabbits USA or click here to buy the issue.**