rabbit grooming problems

[xBurntBytheSunx]

i've been having problems with one of my rabbits the last few months and am hoping someone can offer me some advice.

my rabbit doesn't have long hair, but i am having to give her a bath every 2-3 weeks b/c i am finding her bottom covered in urine.

i have no idea how its getting like that, and i have no idea how to stop it.

i can't really trim the hair b/c its not much longer than an inch, and i don't want to trim around her genitals anyway.

is there anything (safe) i can do to prevent this from happening?

 

[Crysta]

to save us from cleaning urine off our rabbits (we had like 84) lol
We made the cage so the bottom part is also a 'cage' and there in a tin under which you slide out to clean, this prevents urine flooding where the rabbit would be walking.
I guess you need to make sure to change her blankets enough or where ever she sleeps.

 

[BrettG]

to save us from cleaning urine off our rabbits (we had like 84) lol
We made the cage so the bottom part is also a 'cage' and there in a tin under which you slide out to clean, this prevents urine flooding where the rabbit would be walking.
I guess you need to make sure to change her blankets enough or where ever she sleeps.

Exactly .Makes cleaning soooo easy,and keeps the rabbit much cleaned as well.

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

hmm... well their cage is 2/3 wire, 1/3 flat bottom where we keep cardboard etc for them to sleep on.

the rabbits refuse to potty train so they either pee in their litter or wherever, often where they sleep.

i'm just getting frustrated...it just seems like the pee is getting stuck somewhere maybe? but she's peeing on herself basically and if i don't get to it right away it does not dry.

it seems like the best option is to bathe her, thankfully she doesn't fight me too much in the bathtub, otherwise i'd really want to scream. for an animal that seems to only alternate between being either angry and terrified, she seems oddly contented in the bath water.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Please don't keep your rabbits on steel mesh/cage/etc. It is very hard on their feet and can wear away the hair/lead to ulcers. Bedding on top of an easy-to-clean surface(linoleum, perhaps?) will keep them healthier. They are definitely high maintenance when kept properly.

 

[Crysta]

i've never seen problems with my rabbits for this zonbonzovi their feet where always fine. The only problem I had was the male biting through the wire of the cages to get to the female.
The botom wire shouldn't be mesh just thick wired cage. I'd understand if the rabbits got the ulcers from mesh, but I never saw a problem with the normal thick cage. They only had one resting spot of blankets and a 'hide' on the other side, no litter box offered since they just poop, pee falls through the wire.
The cage was 16feet by 9f high climbridge type, with chew toys ect, looootttts of fresh grasses and vegies, hay to snuggle and the bunny pellets.
lol although cleaning out the bottom was stinky! lol

 

[zonbonzovi]

Hey Chrysta, et al.-

Offering up the blankets and hide box probably minimized any foot issues. I would still advise against wire bottom cages, though. Here's a housing suggestion from my local rabbit rescue: http://rabbithaven.org/housing/

If a bunny is showing signs of urine on the coat, it generally means that their home isn't being cleaned enough. They are obsessive groomers and baths can be highly traumatic.

Please understand I'm not trying to scold anyone about their rabbit care; it's just sad to see the condition that some rabbits are in, esp. when a simple change in care can solve a lot of problems.

BTW, Clint Eastwood(yep, Dirty Harry) keeps bunnies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5faVzWUPLk

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

well i think this round of problems is over. she shed several tufts of hair around her genitals, which i'm guessing was totally clogging her pee for the last couple months.

 

[Crysta]

opsy daisy lol glad to see its cleared up.