Baths & Cleaning |
Bathing and cleaning tips for your disabled rabbit.
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Baths, Cleaning and the Disabled Rabbit
While not often recommended for healthy rabbits, cleaning and various forms of bathing become necessary and commonplace in the world of disabled rabbits. Disabled rabbits often have issues with maintaining cleanliness. This is especially true for disabled rabbits that suffer from limited mobility or immobility and/or suffer from incontinence. It is not uncommon for disabled rabbits to get poo or pee on their bodies, to spill food or water on themselves, etc. Cleanup can be a daunting task, but it must be done. Over time, you and your rabbit will develop a sort of "system" to cleaning. Many disabled rabbits are able to adapt well to help with cleaning and, eventually, cleaning can be a fun way to spend some one-on-one time with your rabbit.
We have separated cleaning methods into three categories:
Following, we will discuss each method, when it should be used, and how to do it. Most disabled rabbit owners will use a combination of these different cleaning methods depending on the situation and the rabbit's needs.
We have separated cleaning methods into three categories:
- Spot Cleaning
- Dry Baths
- Butt Baths
Following, we will discuss each method, when it should be used, and how to do it. Most disabled rabbit owners will use a combination of these different cleaning methods depending on the situation and the rabbit's needs.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning is the most basic form of cleaning. Spot cleaning involves minor touch-up cleaning of problem areas that helps keep a rabbit sufficiently maintained, usually until more thorough cleaning can be done.
What to Use
Baby Wipes
We recommend using baby wipes for spot cleaning. We use Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes. These wipes are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and hypo-allergenic. They are fortified with aloe and vitamin E, so they won't irritate your rabbit's skin. They are thicker than most other baby wipe brands, are soft and, most importantly, clean gently as well as effectively.
How to Do It
- Get your wipes.
- Get your rabbit.
- Place your rabbit in a secure but comfortable position where the area/s needing cleaning are easily accessible. This will most likely require your rabbit to be in a belly-up position. Either place your rabbit belly-up and secure in one arm or sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and lay the rabbit belly-up on your legs or lap. If the area/s needing cleaning are reachable without the rabbit needing to be belly-up, you can place the rabbit on a towel on the floor or a large table.
- As necessary, use the wipes to clean up any debris from your rabbit.
- As necessary, use the wipes to clean your rabbit's hair of any urine, likely around their bottom or private area. Try to get their skin as clean as possible.
- Give your rabbit a final wipe-down with a clean wipe.
- All done!
Precautions and Tips
- Spot cleaning works best when there is only minor maintenance to be done. Perhaps a little wet hair, a small urine stain, a piece or two of poo stuck to the hair, etc.
- Spot cleaning can be thought of as a "refresher."
- Most rabbits tolerate spot cleaning sessions fairly well as they are not very involved and do not require a lot of time.
- When cleaning, put the wipe over any debris or urine and scrub the wipe gently between your fingers to work out the mess.
- We recommend rinsing your wipes lightly before use. Many wipes have a "film" to them that feels a bit soapy and can leave a slight residue on your rabbit's hair. Rinse them in warm water and give them a light squeeze. The warm water will also make the wipes warmer, which is good for bunny too!
- If your rabbit will tolerate it, try combing out their hair with a small comb after you finish cleaning. This will help restore the fluffiness to their hair, which will better protect their skin.
- If your rabbit's enclosure is messy, try to clean it before putting your clean rabbit back inside.
Dry Baths
Dry baths are the next step up as far as cleaning. While not actual "bathing," dry baths can still be a very effective form of cleaning. Dry baths utilize grooming techniques and cornstarch to help work through messes on a rabbit. They are most effective when the mess on the rabbit is dry- such as poo stuck to the skin or hair..
What to Use
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is the primary ingredient in baby powder. It is designed to help absorb excess moisture. While many baby products are considered too harsh to use on rabbits, cornstarch baby powder is gentle enough to be safe to use for dry bathing your rabbit. We recommend Johnson's Pure Cornstarch Baby Powder with Aloe and Vitamin E. It is gentle, mild, and designed to keep skin soft and dry.
*Note: Do not use powder that contains talc (or talcum powder) as this is harmful for rabbits. Check the ingredients carefully and be sure you are purchasing a cornstarch-only product.
*Note: Do not use powder that contains talc (or talcum powder) as this is harmful for rabbits. Check the ingredients carefully and be sure you are purchasing a cornstarch-only product.
Washcloth
A soft washcloth or small hand towel will work well for cleaning up your rabbit after a dry bath. Another option is a soft microfiber towel.
Comb
A simple fine-toothed hair comb will work fine for assisting with dry baths. The bristles are just big enough to work through debris, but not so small that they get caught. These combs can be purchased cheaply at any store with health and beauty products. Try to find a small one with two sizes of bristles: small and fine.
How to Do It
- Gather your supplies. If you can, get another person to help you.
- Choose your cleaning area. We recommend doing any cleaning in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. Another option is to lay a towel on your floor or on a large table and do your cleaning on and/or over the towel.
- Get your rabbit.
- Place your rabbit in a secure but comfortable position where the area/s needing cleaning are easily accessible. This will most likely require your rabbit to be in a belly-up position. Either place your rabbit belly-up and secure in one arm or sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and lay the rabbit belly-up on your legs or lap. If the area/s needing cleaning are reachable without the rabbit needing to be belly-up, you can place the rabbit on a towel on the floor or a large table.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch liberally onto any soiled areas.
- Work the cornstarch through any mess and into your rabbit's skin. Rub it on and around any poo or other debris.
- As you work the cornstarch through the soiled areas, it will absorb any moisture in the debris and help it to slide easily from your rabbit's hair. Remove any loose debris.
- If necessary, use the comb to work through any remaining debris.
- Pat your rabbit clean and wipe off any excess cornstarch with a soft washcloth.
- All done!
Precautions and Tips
- Most rabbits tolerate dry baths fairly well as they do not involve getting wet and do not usually take a great amount of time.
- The cornstarch will give your rabbit some relief from urine burn and soothe their skin.
- Be sure to dust off any excess cornstarch at the end of the bath to prevent it from clumping and absorbing urine later.
- Try to keep your rabbit from inhaling any cornstarch when you apply it, as it tends to "cloud."
- The more you work the cornstarch into debris, the dryer it will get and the easier it will be to remove.
- If you need a comb to work through stubborn debris, work through messes gently. Begin at the ends of the debris and work your way towards your rabbit's body while loosening and detangling the debris with your comb as you go. Use the fine bristles on your comb to separate the tangled hairs with a gentle "picking" action.
- Try combing out your rabbit's hair with a small comb after you finish cleaning. This will help restore the fluffiness to their hair, which will better protect their skin.
- If your rabbit's enclosure is messy, try to clean it before putting your clean rabbit back inside.
Butt Baths
When spot cleaning and dry baths are not enough, butt baths are the way to go. Butt baths are necessary when your rabbit is soaked with urine, has wet poo or other debris stuck to them, is smelly, is red from urine burn, or is generally messy beyond what spot cleaning or a dry bath can solve. While more involved, a carefully executed butt bath will leave your rabbit feeling clean and refreshed. Butt baths involve cleaning a rabbit's bottom in water with a rabbit-safe shampoo.
What to UseTub |
The first thing you will need is some kind of tub to wash your rabbit in. Consider your cleaning needs, but also consider the needs of your rabbit. Is your cleaning limited to just your rabbit's hind end, or do they need their tummies cleaned too? Are they able to be held and handled, or do they tend to wiggle and squirm? Pick a tub that will take such needs into consideration. Here are some options:
Many disabled rabbit owners choose to wash their rabbits in a small bathroom sink. Others wash in a larger kitchen sink where a hose attachment can be used for convenience. Sinks are helpful in that they allow for running, rather than stagnant, water. This may be desirable during particularly messy cleanups. We recommend that if you choose a sink, add a slip-resistant sink mat to the bottom for safety. A hose attachment can also be helpful.
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Another option could be to use a small, sturdy cat litter bin. This tub setup works better for rabbits that need more of their underside cleaned as it allows them to soak in a shallow layer of water. A litter bin tub will also be more appropriate for rabbits that may not like handling. The flat surface enables them to have all four feet on the ground and will help them feel more secure during cleaning. We recommend adding a slip-resistant sink mat for safety.
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Some disabled rabbit owners invest in a baby bath for their disabled rabbit. Most baby baths have a non-slip bottom to give your rabbit traction in the tub; others have a sling in them that may work for some disabled rabbits (such as those that are immobile). In general, baby baths come in various styles and forms, allowing you to pick one that will work for your disabled rabbit.
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A unique, but effective, tub option is a slanted paint pan. Believe it or not, a paint pan is rather well designed for rabbit butt baths. Simply set your rabbit's bottom in the deep end and rest their chest and front paws on the raised portion of the pan. Then fill the deep end with a shallow layer of water. This setup enables you to wash your rabbit's bottom while keeping the rest of them dry. It also gives you (and your rabbit) the ease of a flat surface. These pans can be purchased at home improvement stores very inexpensively- just be sure to get a hard plastic one.
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Shampoo
A gentle, rabbit-safe shampoo is essential for an effective butt bath. Despite claims that baby shampoos or dog/cat shampoos are safe for rabbits, these shampoos are almost always too harsh for a rabbit's sensitive skin. When shopping for a shampoo, your gentlest option is something organic, with as few additives and as many natural ingredients as possible. These are easy to find at natural food stores such as Sprouts or Whole Foods.
For difficult cases involving urine buildup and scald (as in the case of paralyzed and/or incontinent rabbits), we use and recommend Zymox Enzymatic Shampoo. Zymox contains a 3-point enzyme system that helps destroy bacteria and prevent fungal infections. It has no harsh detergents, pesticides, colorings, or residual petroleum products, and the enzymes are natural and milk-derived. This shampoo is tough on mess and bacteria while still being gentle on your rabbit's skin. It has worked wonders on our disabled rabbit's urine scald and removes that leftover buildup that spot cleaning and dry baths leave behind. Her skin is always fresh and clean after a butt bath with Zymox. |
Towel
Be sure to have a few soft towels on hand to dry your rabbit after their bath. Keep in mind: the softer the towels are, the gentler they will be on your rabbit's skin. It can help to have an extra towel to lay on your lap, that way you can put your rabbit on your lap and have another towel to dry them off.
We use and recommend microfiber towels. Microfiber towels are softer than regular towels and are more effective at absorbing wetness. They hold water and tend to remain dry and usable longer. When you use them to dry a wet rabbit, they act a bit like a sponge and help to get them dryer, faster.
We use and recommend microfiber towels. Microfiber towels are softer than regular towels and are more effective at absorbing wetness. They hold water and tend to remain dry and usable longer. When you use them to dry a wet rabbit, they act a bit like a sponge and help to get them dryer, faster.
Blow Dryer
Another item to have on hand is a blow dryer. Any basic blow dryer will work- just try to choose one with a high and low setting.
Comb
You will also need a comb. Unlike for grooming, for butt bath after-care you just need a basic, small hair comb with small tines and fine tines.
Skin Ointment
The last thing you will need is some kind of ointment for your rabbit's skin. This is an important part of butt bath after-care. A butt bath will leave your rabbit feeling a bit dry, so it is important to soothe and moisturize their skin. A good ointment will also help provide a barrier against urine and other messes so your rabbit will stay cleaner and new messes will have less effect on their skin. It is especially important to use a skin ointment for any disabled rabbit that is paralyzed, incontinent, or otherwise dealing with urine burn and scald.
We use and recommend A&D Original Ointment. A&D is specifically formulated to provide a protective barrier on the skin to help seal out irritating wetness and allow the skin underneath to heal naturally. Vitamins A and D help to replenish the skin and heal dry, chafed, cracked or irritated skin to give your rabbit some much-needed relief. This ointment leaves our disabled rabbit's skin soft and pink between butt baths. It can be purchased in the baby section of most stores. When shopping for this product, be sure to purchase the original, zinc free ointment only.
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How to Do It
- Choose your cleaning area (most likely a bathroom or kitchen).
- Choose your tub setup. Consider the options described above.
- Gather the remainder of your supplies.
- Fill your tub with 1-2 inches of lukewarm water. Adjust the amount of water based on your rabbit's size and cleaning needs, and be sure to feel the water temperature to be sure it is not too hot for your rabbit.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of shampoo to your water and mix thoroughly.
- Get your rabbit.
- Holding your rabbit firmly, but gently, lower his or her bottom into the tub. If your tub has a flat surface, place your rabbit in the tub with all four feet securely on the base. If you are using a sink, lay a towel at the rim and place your rabbit's front paws on the towel for traction as you lower their bottom into the sink.
- Gently lave the soapy water around your rabbit's bottom, working through any mess and urine.
- Change out the water as necessary, adding new soap. You may need to do this a few times if your rabbit is particularly messy. Be sure your rabbit is secure when you change out the water. Wrap them in a towel so they are not exposed to the cold.
- When clean, lift your rabbit from the tub.
- Hold your rabbit over the tub (this works best in a sink with running water). Rinse their bottom with clear, lukewarm water very thoroughly. Leave no shampoo or residue behind.
- When fully clean, partially wrap your rabbit in a dry towel and begin drying them with another towel. Be careful not to rub the towel on their sensitive skin too roughly.
- When your rabbit is mostly dry, carefully use the blow dryer to finish drying your rabbit. Blow dry on a low setting only and always hold the dryer at least 10-12 inches away from your rabbit so as not to burn them. Handle the blow dryer with a back and forth motion so the heat is not on one area of their body for too long. Keep your hand on your rabbit to monitor the temperature of the blow dryer and fluff up your rabbit's hair to help it dry.
- When your rabbit is fully dry, use the comb to brush out their fur. Fluffy fur will help to better protect their skin.
- Apply a skin ointment or other protectant to your rabbit's skin, especially if they are red from the bath or prior urine scald. Focus on areas that were previously soiled and/or that got wet from the bath. The ointment will help soothe your rabbit's skin, reduce redness, moisturize, and protect from further messes.
- All done!
Precautions and Tips
- Repeat as necessary, but try to use butt baths as a last resort and only when necessary. Bathing is often a stressful experience and, while some rabbits may get used to the process and perhaps even come to enjoy baths, they do leave a rabbit vulnerable to exposure and cold.
- The goal with any wet bath is to get your rabbit as clean as possible using as little water as possible. A rabbit's temperature can drop quickly and they are very susceptible to cold. A wet rabbit gets cold easily, so try to avoid getting them wet in areas that are not necessary and get them dry as soon as possible.
- When handling, be sure to be firm but gentle. Always handle your rabbit as close to the ground as possible. If they wriggle free, you do not want them to fall from any height.
- Some owners, rather than fill a sink with water and lower the rabbit inside, choose to hold their rabbit belly-up in one arm and wash them in this position by running their bottom under the sink faucet or by using an attachable sink hose. This allows for more control of which areas get wet, but does require you and your rabbit to be more comfortable with handling.
- For owners using a cat litter bin as a tub, you might like to have two tubs on hand: either one for soapy water and one for clean water or both with soapy water so you can easily move your rabbit to the second bin when the first becomes soiled.
- Try to give your rabbit lots of praise and treats during and after a butt bath to help reinforce a positive experience for your rabbit.
- Use some trial and error to figure out the bathing process that will work most effectively for you and your rabbit.
- After bathing is a great time to check your rabbit's skin for cuts, abrasions, sores and scald. If you notice anything, address it immediately.
- Never get your rabbit's head or face wet- this can be dangerous for a rabbit. If their head or face needs cleaning, dampen a sponge or soft washcloth slightly with lukewarm water and use that to clean the mess.
- It is always helpful to have an extra pair of hands to help during a butt bath.
- If your rabbit's enclosure is messy, try to clean it before putting your clean rabbit back inside.
- If you have a particularly nervous rabbit that may not handle a wet bath well (baths are stressful after all), try spot cleaning and/or dry baths first. Get them comfortable with small steps before you try a full-on butt bath.