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The Importance of Grooming your Rabbit

by | Mar 23, 2026 | By Dr. Catherine Deng DVM

Dr. Deng's rabbit Nanaimo
As the temperatures outdoors rise and the day lengths are getting longer, our domestic rabbits are starting their springtime molt. At our clinic, molting time is associated with increased emergency visits and higher incidence of gastrointestinal blockages. I strongly recommend that you groom your rabbit consistently and thoroughly to save yourself and your rabbit a traumatic hospital visit.

How do you start? First, identify a place you can put your rabbit that will make it easy for a 15-30 minute session of grooming to occur. For me, this is placing my rabbit on the couch or on a low swivel chair. Fortunately, my rabbit is too nervous to jump off of these areas which gives me plenty of time to groom her. Even if she did jump down, the distance is short and unlikely to cause injury. If your rabbit is more adventurous and willing to jump away, you may need a second person to hold the rabbit. Generally, adult rabbits will assess the height carefully before leaping down, but not all rabbits are the same.

I use a combination of lint rolling, a small pink FURminator comb, and my fingers to pull away as much excess fur as I can. Your rabbit may not enjoy this process, but a short period of mild irritation is preferable to, and less expensive than, a long hospitalization that may involve gastrointestinal surgery.

Dr. Deng's rabbit Nanaimo

My rabbit Nanaimo does not enjoy being groomed, but her molts can be heavy and she has already had a fur blockage once before that required surgery.

lint rollers used to groom a rabbit

Lint rollers are effective in pulling loose fur away.

If your rabbit is too reactive or unpredictable for this process, you may want to ask for professional help. Your veterinarian may be able to provide you with a light sedative to use at home, or you can bring your bunny to our veterinary clinic and we can do the grooming for you.

Radiographs (X-rays) can be used to help identify gastrointestinal obstructions. The first two images show a rabbit with a distended stomach due to an obstruction. The next two images show a normal rabbit’s stomach.

Xray of a rabbit's side with an obstruction

The side view of a rabbit’s abdomen with an obstruction

Top view xray of a rabbit with an obstruction

The top view of a rabbit’s abdomen with an obstruction

Side view xray of a healthy rabbit

The side view of a healthy rabbit’s abdomen

Top view xray of a healthy rabbit

The top view of a healthy rabbit’s abdomen

Rabbits that are obstructed require hospitalization for intravenous fluids, pain medications, and other medications. We typically start by taking a series of x-rays and checking bloodwork to confirm the diagnosis. Most rabbits can pass fur balls with medical intervention, but occasionally the fur ball is too large and the rabbit needs surgery. Such surgical procedures have inherent risks that can lead to complications and even death, and are best avoided. Obstructions are not always due to consuming fur, but fur blockages can be avoided with thorough groomings.
An image of fur clumps removed from the stomach of a rabbit that underwent surgery.

This is an image of fur clumps removed from the stomach of a rabbit that underwent surgery.

If you need help grooming your bunny, or have questions about your bunny’s health, please contact us at 831-440-8590 or at info@exoticpetclinic.com.

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