This is Chester, he was my brothers rabbit until about a year ago, he was free roam for a couple years and then kept in a cage for a year or two before I brought him to uni with me and he is again free roam 24/7.
His fur is thick and he malts like crazy, which he never used to, even though he was rarely brushed. But now he hates being brushed, he obviously hates being picked up so it’s hard to catch him to brush him so I started brushing him whilst he let me pet him but the moment he realised it’s a brush he runs away. Any grooming tips would be highly appreciated.
Also if you could guess his breed what would you say? I think he’s a harlequin mix but I’m not rabbit specialist.
by elksg
13 Comments
Penelope is just the same, tons of fluff that clearly needs to come out but I get about 15 seconds of plucking time before she bolts or maybe 2 swipes with a brush and then she’s gone for hours avoiding me. Scares me that she’ll get a blockage from trying to groom herself, I wish I had any suggestions of what we can do!
have you tried bribing with fresh herbs with one hand while the other pets with a brush?
Have you tried a silicone grooming glove? They work really well at removing loose hair, while still feeling like they’re being stroked, not brushed. Or a sticky lint roller works well too! He’s very handsome, I love him! 🥰🐰
Mine hates being brushed too (no matter what brush I use). I have to pick her up and put her on a small table or ledge so she can’t hop away.
If picking him up is tricky, try getting him inside a carrier with treats and then getting him out from there.
My satin angora is that way. Hates being groomed and mats everywhere. Refuses to take treats. Destroyed my couch when I groomed him there. I have to chase him down every time I groom him. Every time I do, he stays mad at me a little bit less time and puts up a little less of a fight. I also find that he tells me when he is really DONE with grooming so I try to take signals from him. I also “pet” him a lot and pull loose hair out to keep it under control. It has gotten better over the years but we still have a long way to go.
My rabbits hate being groomed too. Doesn’t matter if it’s the silicone glove or combs. Just gotta do the best you can and accept some sulking for a bit.
Our bunny doesn’t like the brush either. We pet him whilst brushing and he doesn’t notice or very lightly wet your hand (like a spritz of water amount) and sit and pet them amd you’ll find it comes of easy without stressing your bunny. Sure you’ll have a furry hand but it’s better than nothing 😂🙈
Try different kinds of brushes, combs, and silicone grooming gloves. One of my bunnies only tolerates combs for humans and the other only accepts the glove.
What a cute 🐇
My boy hates it too so I do it while he’s eating his salads! He still moves around a bit but I’m able to get somethin off him
Is he an older bun? It could be that he is in pain in one way or another such as arthritis?
He’s prolly like “HA! puny huumin can’t catch us”
In a cage “for a year or two”? I wouldn’t trust humans, either