AmberNBuns
Well-Known Member
Hello RO!
I've been away for quite a while, but Theodore is still with me, lively as ever!
I gave him his first dry butt bath today. I have had him for a long time, and have occasionally had to give him a little soak in the sink to clean his tail.
But it seems lately that his behind is always a little wet. I was about to give him a wash again when it occurred to me to get on the net to see if perhaps something might be wrong. That is where I came across some info about rabbit urinary problems, and the suggestion to use cornstarch baby powder to clean him up.
So firstly, I am writing to report that it worked surprisingly well. I actually used a "small animal dry shampoo" but it appears that it is just a raspberry-scented cornstarch product.
I don't know if his skin was scalded or not - it wasn't bright red or anything - but as far as I can tell, he seemed soothed by it. The directions said to brush it all out of the fur. But since I was cleaning his behind, a brush couldn't quite get in there. Luckily I found a dog toothbrush lying around and that did the job a little better. His fur was a bit gnarly so I could only brush so much out. But I gave him a quick trim and sent him on his way. No more stinky bunny
I just wanted to share that with y'all, since in all the years I have had rabbits, I never tried it until now. I was always doubtful, but came away quite pleased.
But thinking further about this, I have to ask - is urine-soaked fur a definite sign of a health problem? I have read that arthritis can cause pain that would keep him from posturing properly, but I have seen him go and he appears to lift his rear and tail just as well as ever. So I don't think that is it.
I wonder if the bedding in his cage is too deep. Do you think that, all health factors being normal, litter that is too deep and fluffy might cause a wet tail?
I appreciate any thoughts you might share on this.
I've been away for quite a while, but Theodore is still with me, lively as ever!
I gave him his first dry butt bath today. I have had him for a long time, and have occasionally had to give him a little soak in the sink to clean his tail.
But it seems lately that his behind is always a little wet. I was about to give him a wash again when it occurred to me to get on the net to see if perhaps something might be wrong. That is where I came across some info about rabbit urinary problems, and the suggestion to use cornstarch baby powder to clean him up.
So firstly, I am writing to report that it worked surprisingly well. I actually used a "small animal dry shampoo" but it appears that it is just a raspberry-scented cornstarch product.
I don't know if his skin was scalded or not - it wasn't bright red or anything - but as far as I can tell, he seemed soothed by it. The directions said to brush it all out of the fur. But since I was cleaning his behind, a brush couldn't quite get in there. Luckily I found a dog toothbrush lying around and that did the job a little better. His fur was a bit gnarly so I could only brush so much out. But I gave him a quick trim and sent him on his way. No more stinky bunny
I just wanted to share that with y'all, since in all the years I have had rabbits, I never tried it until now. I was always doubtful, but came away quite pleased.
But thinking further about this, I have to ask - is urine-soaked fur a definite sign of a health problem? I have read that arthritis can cause pain that would keep him from posturing properly, but I have seen him go and he appears to lift his rear and tail just as well as ever. So I don't think that is it.
I wonder if the bedding in his cage is too deep. Do you think that, all health factors being normal, litter that is too deep and fluffy might cause a wet tail?
I appreciate any thoughts you might share on this.