Clean-up

Question
My rabbit is stinking...
Can I bath him?
Or what can I do?
Can I also get the *most recent* information on general rabbit maintenance and care as recommended by the nation's top rabbit veterinarians.

Answer
Dear Iranelia,

It is absolutely NOT recommended to give a rabbit a bath.  If bun is stinky, you need to find out the source of the smell, since a rabbit is normally odor free.  Is bunny spayed or neutered?  If not, s/he may be exuding musky scent because s/he is now sexually mature.  That means it's time for spay/neuter, which you can read more about here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

A spayed/neutered rabbit will generally be healthier and live a longer life, as explained in the article.

If the bad smell is due to mushy feces stuck to the bunny, you have quite another problem, and you must read the article here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

If this is the problem, please write back with more details about the bunny's diet and general health.

Finally, you'll want to be sure it's not the litterbox that's smelly.  It's important to keep all urinary and fecal waste cleaned up and the bunny's sleeping/playing areas very clean.  Rabbits are fastidiously clean animals, grooming themselves clean constantly.  They do not need baths, and only under unusual circumstances will they smell.  It might have something to do with the bunny's environment.

For instructions on how to give a safe dry bath to the bunny's bum, if the problem is fecal matter stuck there, please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html

And for the *best* information on rabbit care, you'll need a copy of The House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman.  It's available at most major bookstores for under $10, or can be ordered from Amazon.com

You can also visit:

www.rabbit.org/

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html

for free care information.  I hope that helps get you started.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana