Grooming 1. TEETH Rabbits are a unique species with special needs and requirements. One characteristic that make rabbits unique is their teeth. A rabbit’s teeth are continuously growing. A rabbit’s upper and lower incisors can grow up to 5 inches a year if they do not wear down properly. Some dental problems in rabbits such as malocclusion (where the jaw can be shorter than normal) can be a result of bad genetics or injury. This is why it is important to encourage your rabbit to Chew. Rabbits chew to groom themselves, to mark their territory, and to express their emotions. There are many strategies to encourage chewing. One such strategy is to make sure your rabbit is not getting a diet that is exclusively pelleted. Pelleted foods alone do not encourage enough chewing. Make sure your rabbit’s diet is supplemented with hay. Hay can provide good nutrition and can encourage chewing. There are two main types of hay available: grass hay and alfalfa hay. Grass hay is generally more ideal for indoor rabbits because alfalfa hay is very high in calories and can result in a higher risk of obesity. Here are some items that are OK for rabbits to chew on: * apple, willow, aspen branches; * pine firewood; * cotton towels * untreated fresh pine lumber attached to cage so it doesn't move--piece of molding, 1"x2"s, or 2"x4"s; * basket with hay in it--let the bun chew the basket as well as the hay; * compressed alfalfa cubes 2. FUR Grooming your rabbit regularly is important to its health and well-being. Regular brushing, especially of longhaired breeds, is important to remove excess dead hair and prevent your rabbit from developing hairballs. Unlike cats, Rabbits cannot vomit and hairballs are prone to cause intestinal obstructions. 3. NAILS Since pet rabbits are not able to dig and wear down their claws inside your house or apartment, their nails will invariably grow too long. Keeping your bunny’s nails at an appropriate length is very important. Long nails may potentially curl into your rabbit's foot, or they may snag on something, causing great discomfort to your pet. Clipping your rabbit's nails may seem a daunting task. And many rabbit owners elect to let their veterinarian handle it. Frequent vet visits can get expensive, however. So here is some advice on trimming your rabbit's nails yourself. It is easier to trim your rabbit's nails quickly and effectively when the rabbit is properly restrained. If possible, ask someone to assist you and then wrap your bunny in a towel to reduce movement and to isolate each paw. Examine the claw to locate the quick, or the vein. Some rabbits' nails are quite dark, so you will need a small flashlight to see it. Cutting the quick will cause your pet to experience some pain, and he/she will bleed. So your objective is to cut just below the quick. If you do accidentally trim the nails too short, use flour or styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Some bunnies are startled by the sound of clipping. In these situations, you may consider simply filing the nails down, but this may be a longer process if your rabbit's nails are quite long. 4. CLEANING EARS Rabbit ears should be checked daily for wax clogs or mites and cleaned every two weeks. Any black discharge or soreness in the ear could indicate mites of other infections that require the attention of a veterinarian. To clean your rabbit’s ears, use a soft cotton-tipped swab to clean all the visible areas of the ear – NEVER insert the swab into the ear canal or in anywhere that is not visible. Gently rub the swab to remove any wax or dirt that may have collected in the ear. 5. BATHING Rabbits are generally not bathed, but spot cleaned. Because bathing can cause extreme stress and because rabbits do not dry out quickly, bathing can cause rabbits to experience stress, chills and may induce shock. If your rabbit is diagnosed with fleas, check with your veterinarian on the best way to treat the fleas. If your rabbit is ever completely soaked with water, dry the rabbit as best you can with a towel and immediately move them to a warm, dry location – preferably in the sun.
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