Best way to clean bunny bottoms?

Anyone know the best way to do this? Have just tried warm salty water with cotton wool balls but lots of bits wouldn't go and obviously with this heat and the fact that DM isn't cleaning herself properly, I need to get it all off!!

Best thing is for it to be a 2 person job. One holding DM on their lap with her face pointing toward the person's stomach. The other person can then use both hands to clean her up with warm water. If DM's bum slightly overhangs the person's lap it'll mean they dont get too wet too.

Jack's-Jane said:

Best thing is for it to be a 2 person job. One holding DM on their lap with her face pointing toward the person's stomach. The other person can then use both hands to clean her up with warm water. If DM's bum slightly overhangs the person's lap it'll mean they dont get too wet too.

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The warm water just doesn't seem to be doing the trick though and I'm very conscious that whatever I use (if she is able to clean herself again) may be ingested. Bunny poop is like glue! I can't have her get flystrike before we can even deal with the cancer

TD86 said:

The warm water just doesn't seem to be doing the trick though and I'm very conscious that whatever I use (if she is able to clean herself again) may be ingested. Bunny poop is like glue! I can't have her get flystrike before we can even deal with the cancer

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Can you carefully trim off all the soiled fur ?

If you soak the poo (either with their bum in a bowl or sink, or by holding the sponge onto it repeatedly) then it you can usually get it off eventually. You will have to dry them very thoroughly afterwards though, especially if they're unable to clean themselves.

FondueKid said:

If you soak the poo (either with their bum in a bowl or sink, or by holding the sponge onto it repeatedly) then it you can usually get it off eventually. You will have to dry them very thoroughly afterwards though, especially if they're unable to clean themselves.

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This is what I have to do with Coco occasionally. Bottom in the sink with front paws on the side. Hold her firmly so she doesn't hurt herself. Lots of kicking and splashing then she calms down. With just warm water (and rubber gloves! ) I loosen the dried in poo lumps. Then blow dry her. She is deaf so the blow drying isn't too bad. Finally one clean dry Rabbit and one soaked slave.

TD86 said:

Anyone know the best way to do this? Have just tried warm salty water with cotton wool balls but lots of bits wouldn't go and obviously with this heat and the fact that DM isn't cleaning herself properly, I need to get it all off!!

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Your Darling Mother isn't cleaning herself properly? :shock: Mine was the same but she was very elderly and ill at the time. :lol:

Tabitha Rabbit is also elderly (eight) and doesn't clean herself, poor soul. I bought a storage box. I fill it up to about 5cm with tepid water. I add the rabbit. She's quite a big rabbit so the water covers her feet, tum and bum, not her back. She sits calmly as she can't see anywhere to go because the storage box has high, opaque sides. I stroke her and massage her shoulders (her favourite). After a bit, I pick her up, wrap her in a towel and start to dry her off, using towel and puppy pads. Nearly everything comes off in the dry, and any stuck bits I deal with using my hairdressing scissors bought specially for bunny trims - very carefully, of course. Then more towelling. Then wrap in a big cosy fleece and have a long, long cuddle to be warm and much dryer. in winter, I'd use a hairdryer on its lower setting, held well away from the bunny, at this stage, and fluff up the fur as I go along, as when towelling. Fleece and warm, if damp bun, then go 'back to bed' (into the enclosure) for a bit of peace and quiet. Nobody is traumatised.
Then, I clear up.
This is all very fresh in my mind as I washed Tabby the day before yesterday. Her feetsies and bot are very pretty, fluffy and clean today.

I use fragrance-free baby wipes, which usually work very well for dampening dry, stubborn bits.

Beau Belle said:

I use fragrance-free baby wipes, which usually work very well for dampening dry, stubborn bits.

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Ooh that's a good idea but don't they have oil in them?

Oooh, I don't know. :roll:

I buy fragrance free baby wipes from Wilkos- are they bad for bunnies somehow?