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Regular grooming is essential in maintaining the health of your rabbit. While
most cases of GI stasis that result in a build-up of hair and food in the
intestinal tract are due to a lack of fiber (hay) in the diet, "hairballs" or "wool
block" can still occur. Brushing and combing (especially during periods of
heavy shedding) removes dead hair which would be otherwise ingested by
your bunny and could lead to intestinal blockages. Trimming prevents nails
from growing so long that they catch in the cage wire and break. Outside of
the health benefits, rabbits regard grooming as a social activity. Gentle
combing and brushing of your rabbit along the back, around the face and on
the top of the nose and head will promote a stronger bond between you and
your companion. Grooming Tips: - Baths are generally
not recommended for rabbits. Elderly or sick rabbits or rabbits who are
unused to being immersed in water may go into shock. Unless your rabbit has
a medical condition that requires bathing, spot cleaning is best. If you must,
use a non-drying, soap-free shampoo or a medicated shampoo
recommended by your vet.
- To see the quick in a dark toenail, backlight
with a flashlight.
- If your rabbit's nails are extremely long, trim just a little off,
wait a week and trim the nails again. This causes the quick to retreat back into
the nail. After that, trimming every other month should keep your rabbit's nails
the proper length.
- Don't forget to clean your rabbit's scent glands!
Hydrogen peroxide or baby oil will soften any waxy debris in this delicate
area. The debris can then be gently removed with a cotton swab.
- Your
rabbit's ears should not need cleaning unless you have a lop-eared breed.
Dirty ears are usually the sign of a medical condition such as ear mites or
infection.
Special tips for grooming long haired
breeds: Angoras with long, flowing coats: - Layer the hair by
parting it into sections.
- Brush one section at a time in long gentle strokes
that continue beyond the ends of he hair. This will avoid breaking the hair.<
LI>For easy maintenance, keep coat trimmed to a finger-width (between 1/4
and 1 in.) using ball-tipped grooming scissors.
Jersey Woolies
with wooly undercoats: The volume of hair on these rabbits makes matting
and tangling more prevalent. - Brush the coat at least once a week.<
LI>Work on a small area at a time, parting the hair as you go.
- Brush inthe
direction the hair grows, taking care to brush gently so that not too much of the
undercoat is removed.
- Pay close attention to where the hair mats: under
the legs and around the tail.
American Fuzzy Lops: Because
fuzzies have very fluffy coats in which dead hairs can be trapped and matted,
they need to be brushed more frequently than other breeds. - Brush
gently from the skin to the tips of the hairs.
- Part the hair as you brush.
-
Brush the coat twice, once in the direction the hair grows, once gently in the
opposite direction to fluff the hair.
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GM001 Easy Grip Flea Comb |
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0.0625 lb | |
  
A good flea comb is usually all you'll need if your rabbit has unwanted guests.
Simply comb through your rabbit's fur and dip the comb into soapy water to kill
the invaders. Flea combs are also great for removing undercoat during
sheds. We've found that the fine teeth on our Easy Grip flea comb are very
sturdy and do not bend. Comfortable to hold in the hand, its small size does
not make it threatening to rabbits.
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Price:
$6.99 |
Quantity:
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GM002 Shedding comb, long hair |
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.1875 lb | |
  
A great comb for longer coated bunnies. The long teeth get into the
undercoat and the short teeth collect the loose hair. Also helps to gently
break up mats. Wood handle with stainless steel comb.
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Price:
$11.19 |
Quantity:
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GM003 Comb |
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.1875 lb | |
  
A fine toothed comb good for general grooming. I like to use it with my Jersey
Wooley to do a final comb through and for around his face. Also works well
with medium length coats. Wood handle with stainless steel comb.
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Price:
$11.19 |
Quantity:
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GM004 Soft Bristle Brush |
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0.1875 lb | |
  
This oak handled brush has soft nylon bristles that allow gentle brushing of
your bunny.
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Price:
$6.29 |
Quantity:
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GM006 Nail Scissors |
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0.0625 lb | |
  
This scissor is great for trimming small nails. Stainless steel surgical cutting
edge.
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Price:
$7.89 |
Quantity:
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GM006b Guillotine Nail Trimmer |
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0.1875 lb | |
  
This nail trimmer is ideal for larger bunnies (we use it on our dogs and cats,
too). Professonal, heavy duty construction, long-lasting, hardened steel
linkage with ergonomic, non-slip comfort rubber grips.
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Price:
$9.49 |
Quantity:
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GM016 Zoom Groom |
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.1875 lb | |
  
This popular rubber brush works well on most coat types, particularly short
and smooth coats. Small size and flexible shape makes it easy to use. Easy
to clean, hair just lifts off. Measures 4 in. long by 2 1/2 in. wide.
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Price:
$8.99 |
Quantity:
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GM020a Curry Brush |
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.1875 lb | |
  
A new design for an old favorite. The new shape conforms to your hand for more comfortable
brushing. It reduces shedding and is dual-sided for complete grooming with large rubber
bristles on one side and medium and small rubber bristles on the other. It works on wet or
dry coats. Measures about 4 1/2" long.
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Price:
$7.49 |
Quantity:
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GM024 Earthbath Grooming Wipes |
100 sheets |
1.25 lb | |
  
An all natural, veterinarian approved hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free wipe
for quick clean ups. Each thick and soft wipe measures 8 inches by 6 1/2
inches. Ingredients: Purified water, polysorbate 20 (a natural derivative of
sorbitol), Hawaiian Awapuhi Extract, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Benzoic Acid
(a natural preservative) No animal ingredients.
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Price:
$13.69 |
Quantity:
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MD013 Styptic Powder |
.5 oz. |
0.1875 lb | |
  
For external use to control accidental bleeding during nail clipping. Can be
applied with a moistened cotton swab to the end of the cut nail.
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Price:
$9.29 |
Quantity:
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