I have a fairly new pet lop earred rabbit. What kind of shampoo & conditioner is best to use on their fur?

Question

Also, I need to find a way to train him to use a litter box when I let him out of his cage for exercise, and to clean out his cage. Are they very difficult to litter box train? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Any large pet store should carry small animal shampoo, but rabbits do not need to bathed often, but you should brush/comb their fur daily if possible (this is also good bonding time, and gets the rabbit used to being handled)

Litter training is fairly easy, start by scooping up their 'mess' and putting it in the litter box, this will help them learn that that's what the box if for...

My buns mastered litter training in about 4-6 weeks (no accident since) Make sure when the bun is out, there are no electrical cords to chew on, and no tight spaces where the rabbit can hide (its difficult to get them out, and it stresses them out) make sure you have a carpet or blanket out, as most rabbits slide on hardwood and linoleum.

www.rabbit.org is a GREAT resource for rabbit owners, on all aspects of owning a rabbit.

Here's the link for litter training
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html


Congrats on the bun, I have 2 and I LOVE them!

Answer 2

I do not suggest giving rabbits a bath. Rabbits get sick very easily and even with warm water they can get cold then sick. If they need to be bathed because they are dirty, just wipe them off with a warm cloth and make sure they are not in a draft or cold area while they dry.

Rabbits are often easier to litter box train than a cat. Place a small litter box in the cage, the best is a triangular shaped tray, because it can be attached in the corner of the cage. Use litter like Yesterday’s News or check to see what your pet store has available. Do NOT use clay litter, it is very unsafe. The rabbit will usually sit in the box when it is first put in the cage, but this is normal. After maybe a week, you will probably start seeing urine and droppings in the box. Make sure you clean this daily so the rabbit will continue to use it. Once the rabbit is let out of its cage, it will usually wait until it goes back in the cage to do his business. You can also set a litter box outside the cage so the rabbit will use that while he is out. I never had to train my rabbits, they have always know where to go to the bathroom and have always waited until they were back in their cage.

Answer 3

Do not bathe your bunny. They should not be given full baths like other pets.
Only if really needed and then very little water only enough to get off what ever is in the fur and no shampoo at all.
It can make them sick.
Litter training is easy scoop up the mess and put it in the box. They will start to use the box becasue they smell their droppings in it.
Please know you will have poop in places as if you spook a bunny it will leave a few balls of poo.
All of mine used the litter box. I only had one go outside of it once. They all always peed in the box but I would find poo in may spots. It is dry and does not smell you cna just sweep it up.

Answer 4

Mine started making messes throughout my apartment, and knew this had to stop. Brought out the old unused cat box, (Cat passed away 3 years ago), put it in the bathroom, put some of their old droppings in it along with special Rabbit litter mix. To my suprise, they used it the Very First Night! Now I use clumping cat litter in the box, it's cheaper and easier to clean, just don't put too much in though, they'll just use it as a play sand box. Shampoo, use the type recommended for Cats, Dog shampoo is too strong and may hurt them.

Answer 5

Bunnies don't usually need to be bathed, in fact, bathing them can make them sick, because they're not accustomed to being wet and cold - it's very bad for them.

If you occasionally need to wash your bunny's fur, for example if she has had diarrhoea, the best idea is to place a clean towel on the ground, say in the kitchen or bathroom, and saturate the towel with luke-warm water (not hot and never cold water - cold water can put a bunny into shock) and then place your bunny on the towel, let the water soak into her, and massage her grubby areas gently but firmly with the wet towel until she's clean.

If that isn't getting her clean enough, in unusual circumstances, you can also give her a 'mini' bath, but only in about one inch, two centimetres of luke-warm water (not hot and never cold water). It's also best to do this in a container on the floor, because rabbits hate water, and she will probably try to jump out of the water. So be VERY careful that she doesn't jump out suddenly and injure herself, don't take your eye off her for one second while she's around the water.

Answer 6

Pets are family members and should be treated as such. Fresh air is extremely important for pets. When your environment is in harmony with nature, it will have a positive influence. If not, behavioral and health problems will show up in your animals in subtle and not so subtle ways.Nutrovita’s holistic nutritional supplements incorporate the practices of homeopathy and aromatherapy so our treatments are effective in developing a healthy way of life for your pet care. Nutrovita.com welcomes you to browse through our Pet care product line. You will also find Pet care updated shopping; it’s safe, secure and easy to use.

Answer 7

yeah, see... it seems like you want a dog and somehow ended up with a rabbit.