How to Help Keep Bunny Fur From Shedding

Rabbits shed about four times a year, usually every three months. The sheddings alternate between light and heavy in terms of amount of hair lost. Some sheddings might not be noticeable at all while others can result in significant hair loss and noticeable bald patches. Rabbits are fastidious grooomers and, like cats, lick their fur as part of the grooming process. Even wild rabbits, living in burrows below ground, groom themselves regularly to keep their fur clean. Unlike cats, however, rabbits are unable to vomit and expel any hairballs that form in their stomachs; consequently, they can starve to death if the stomach exit is blocked. Although you cannot stop rabbit fur from shedding, you can control the shedding process with grooming techniques performed at regular intervals.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush with stiff bristles
  • Comb
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the rabbit on a wide, sturdy table or on the floor. Rabbits might become agitated in an unfamiliar situation and might try to escape by kicking their back legs. If using a table, make sure the rabbit does not fall to the floor, which could result in serious injury.

    • 2

      Use a brush with stiff bristles. Begin brushing the rabbit in the hindquarters area, using downward strokes, and work your way up to the head and neck. You may want to experiment with using a comb instead of a brush to determine which tool works best on your rabbit's coat.

    • 3

      Trim the fur of long-haired rabbits to one inch or less, using scissors, to keep the fur short. Long-haired rabbits are more likely to develop hairballs and fur mats. Matted fur can lead to skin irritations and infections. Use sharp scissors, being careful not to puncture or scrape the skin, to remove fur mats.