Bathing rabbits

Rabbits are self-cleaning animals, much like cats. Typically, they are very well groomed, and most rabbits will only need an occasional brushing out to remove loose fur and prevent matting. If your rabbit needs a bath, something is wrong. You should find the cause of the problem, or it will consistently reoccur.

Acceptable Reasons
Some rabbits, typically older or obese rabbits, may not keep their bottom well groomed, and the fur may be come matted with fecal matter. In cases like this, it is acceptable to bathe a rabbit; however, bathing should done with extreme care.

Dangers
Bathing can upset or stress a rabbit, causing him to panic and inadvertently injure himself. Any time you take a rabbit out of his comfort zone, your bun may go into shock which is potentially deadly. If the rabbit struggles, because his hind legs are extremely powerful and the spine comparatively brittle and weak, he can break his back trying to get free. Improper soaps and shampoos may irritate a rabbit's sensitive skin and lead to infection. Similarly, if water gets in the ears, the bun can get an ear infection, resulting in pain and medical bills and possibly even death. Wet rabbit fur takes a long time to dry, and if left wet, the rabbit can easily get hypothermia, even on warm days. Also, when trying to dry fur, you may inadvertently burn the skin with the hair dryer.

How to Properly Bathe a Rabbit
If a rabbit does need a bath, it is important to follow proper procedures. If the problem is feces becoming matted in fur, then only the affected area should be spot cleaned.

Although some shampoos are marketed for rabbits, it is generally not advised to use these because it is difficult to rinse the shampoo completely from a rabbit's fur. If the shampoo is not completely rinsed, he may get sick when he grooms himself.