How to Care for Rabbit Coats

Rabbits are very clean animals and spend a lot of time grooming, just like cats. Rabbits shed constantly, with major sheds occurring four times per year. Daily brushing will decrease shedding, prevent matting and will give you an opportunity to detect wounds and hot spots. Early detection of skin problems will enable you to avoid potentially deadly problems. Feces and debris can accumulate in matted patches of fur, resulting in skin infections and hot spots. The fly larvae or maggots may then infest the region, resulting in a condition known as myasis or flystrike.

Things You'll Need

  • Boar-bristle brush
  • Small dematting rake
  • Cotton ball
  • Betadine
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Wash cloth
  • Water
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your rabbit's fur on a daily basis to reduce shedding and prevent matting. Use a boar-bristle brush. The natural bristles will distribute natural oils throughout the coat, and the bristles will be gentle on the rabbit's sensitive skin.

    • 2

      Brush the rabbit's coat with a dematting rake to remove mats. Use extreme caution, as there are blades embedded in the rake. They will cut when they encounter resistance. Use short, slow strokes to cut through matted regions.

    • 3

      Examine the rabbit's skin in the region where the matted fur was located. Mats can cause hot-spot formation and also can result from a wound, as blood and discharge cakes in the fur.

    • 4

      Disinfect hot spots and wounds by saturating a cotton ball with Betadine. Swab the affected area and allow it to air-dry. Apply a small dab of antibiotic ointment to promote healing.

    • 5

      Dampen a wash cloth with warm water and wipe down any dirty areas on the rabbit's coat.

    • 6

      Wipe down the damp region with a clean towel and cuddle the rabbit until his fur is dry. The rabbit's fur is very thick, and even a brief wipe-down can leave the coat damp for a period of time.