Grooming Rabbits
SUPPLIES LIST
Once you have the proper supplies, grooming most breeds of rabbits is very easy. Rabbits are usually very clean animals, so they require little grooming.
Comb with rotating teeth: great for combing long-haired breeds
Envelope Opener (Or Metal Nail File): for separating mats in long-haired rabbits
Flea Comb: for separating mats in long-haired rabbits and for removing small mats in any rabbit
Nail Clippers: to trim nails
Nail File: for filing nails that splinter when cut (This usually only happens if the nail clippers are dull)
Pumice stone (Like is used for horse grooming): removes loose hair in rex-coated breeds better than a brush or comb does
Slicker Brush: to remove loose hair
Towels: for drying rabbits. Also for wrapping rabbits in if they struggle.
Washcloths: for bathing. Also, placing a damp washcloth across a rex-coated rabbit's fur just before showing can help improve the feel of the coat.
Grooming Normal-Furred Rabbits
Normal-furred rabbits are the easiest to groom. When they are not molting, unless there are mats or they are dirty, grooming is generally not needed. However, brushing the rabbit with a slicker brush once a week will help loosen dead hair and stimulate the skin and coat. When the rabbit is molting, more frequent brushings are needed to remove loose, dead hair. For showing purposes, and even for pets, a great way to groom is to moisten your hands just to the point where they are damp and slightly sticky. Then rub the coat from the rump to the head. This causes the dead hairs to stick to your hand, and you can then rub them off.
Grooming Wooled Breeds
Angoras, American Fuzzy Lops, Jersey Woolies, and Lionheads require more grooming than a normal rabbit. Their long fur, called "wool", tangles much easier than the fur of a normal rabbit. Angoras should be groomed each day. Adult Jersey Woolies, Fuzzy Lops, and Lionheads must be groomed at least once a week, and more if the individual rabbit's coat is more prone to matting. Young Jersey Woolies, Fuzzy Lops, and Lionheads have a softer "baby" coat that requires more frequent grooming, and they should be groomed at least every other day. If you plan to show your wooled breed, you will want to invest in a force dryer to blow out the coats and fluff them up.