Be sure to handle the rabbit very gently. Not all rabbits enjoy the experience of being brushed. If yours seems startled or upset by brushing, stop the process and try again later. Long-haired rabbits require a little extra fur care. Keep your rabbit’s fur trimmed to an inch or so so that it won’t become tangled. This will help cut back on shedding and keep the fur clean.
Even if your rabbit is completely covered in mud, it’s better to use this dry cleaning method than to dip your rabbit in water. Working section by section, carefully break up the mud clumps, comb out the fur, and use cornstarch to work out the smaller bits of dirt. If absolutely necessary, use water to clean small areas of fur. Dampen a washcloth with warm water and use it to moisten the fur; try not to let the water reach the rabbit’s skin. When the patch of fur is clean, use a hair dryer on the coolest setting to gently blow the fur dry. Normal rabbit body temperature ranges from 101F – 103F. Because rabbit skin is very delicate, and rabbits are sensitive to heat, never use a blow dryer on a setting higher than “warm,” and constantly monitor the temperature of the air on the bunny’s skin by placing your hand in its path.
Do not have your rabbit declawed. Rabbits are highly prone to infection, and declawing leaves their paws open to bacteria. [2] X Research source Make sure the rabbit’s living space is always kept clean and dry to promote good foot health.
Your rabbit may grow nervous and jumpy while you clean this area. Have a partner help you by holding and stroking the rabbit while you cleanse the scent gland area. Rabbits also have scent glands under their chins, but these do not produce a bad smell and do not need to be cleaned.
Make sure you don’t leave any traces of soap on the rabbit. This can cause skin irritation. Do not use cold water; make sure it is sufficiently warm. Otherwise the rabbit may get cold and go into shock.
Realize that your rabbit may get scared very easily of the sound of a blow dryer. If this is the case, make sure you have a super absorbent towel on hand that is soft. Rub your rabbit until s/he is dry.
Clean the area using a cotton ball dipped into water. Dry the area thoroughly with a hair dryer on a warm, low setting. Again, your rabbit may get frightened. Use a super soft towel or blanket instead if necessary. Take your rabbit to the vet to seek treatment for the underlying problem causing incontinence.
Do not use a solution made for cats or dogs, even if it says it is also safe for use on rabbits. It’s better to use one of the formulas made just for rabbits. Never submerge your rabbit in a flea dip of any kind, even if the packaging suggests it’s safe to do so.
Most flea solutions require multiple applications over the course of a month. If you’re not sure how much to apply, talk to your vet before taking action.
Check the rabbit again after a few days. In most cases you’ll need to repeat the process two or three times to account for new nits hatching. After a few weeks, the fleas and their nits should be gone. In between cleanings, sanitize the flea comb by boiling it in water for five minutes.
Cover the carpet with a layer of diatomaceous earth or baking soda. Let it sit there for eight hours or overnight. This dries out the fleas’ eggs. Vacuum the powder and dispose of the vacuum bag. Repeat the process every few days until all traces of fleas are gone. When your rabbit is safely in its cage, you can also catch live fleas by plugging in nightlights close to the floor. Place a bowl of soapy water under each light, and the fleas will jump in. Remove the bowls before letting your rabbit out to play.
