How to Bathe Pet Rabbits More Safely

One of the most common questions I get from fellow owners of pet rabbits is, "Can pet rabbits have baths?" Most vets and websites geared toward caring for pet rabbits will tell you that you should not bathe your bunny unless you absolutely have to, because there are so many risks. The stress of the bathing process can easily cause a heart attack in pet rabbits. If you don't hold bunny properly, or if he kicks to get away from the bath, you risk his permanent paralysis or even death, because his spine may snap. Pet rabbits are also very susceptible to chills, and you should never bathe a sick rabbit. Try spot cleaning just the dirty area to avoid a full bath. If you do decide to give your rabbit a bath, here's the best way I've found to do it.

Don't bathe bunny in the bathtub or the sink. The surfaces of both will be too cold and hard. It's difficult to hold a rabbit properly in the bathtub, and the height of the sink is too much to risk, if your rabbit does happen to jump out of your arms. Instead, invest in a small baby tub. If you're in a bind, use a small Rubbermaid bin or small plastic bucket.

Make sure the room you'll be bathing bunny in, preferably the bathroom, is warm enough. If necessary, turn the heat on or run hot water in the shower so that the steam can warm the room before bath time. When preparing bunny's bath water, use lukewarm water. Do not use commercial flee shampoos unless a vet that specializes in rabbits has said it's okay. If my rabbit is especially messy, I will use baby shampoo.

Unlike dogs and cats, pet rabbits can't have water poured over their heads. In fact, you should avoid getting your rabbit wet at all from the neck up. You should be especially careful to keep the ears and nostrils dry. For this reason, using only a few inches of water in the tub is best. Since it is probably the rabbit's bottom that will be dirty, take into account how tall your rabbit's back legs are to know exactly how much water you'll need.

Bathing Pet Rabbits

Credit: Amy Derby

Copyright: Amy Derby