Proper grooming is essential for any pet, and rabbits are no exception. Without regular grooming sessions, bunnies can develop skin conditions, matted fur, ingrown nails, and a whole host of other problems. When it comes to grooming, one important tool to have in your arsenal is decent quality rabbit hair brush. Armed with your bunny brush, the grooming process should be quick and easy, with minimal stress to the animal.
To help you find the perfect brush for your pet, we’ve put together this useful guide. Here, we run through eight of the best rabbit brushes on the market right now, so you can make an informed decision for your furry friend. To help you get the most out of your new grooming equipment, we’ve also taken the time to answer some common questions about rabbit grooming: how to do it, why it’s important, and more. For a spotlessly groomed bunny, read on.
The Best Brush For Rabbits
PetPawJoy have also earned themselves a spot on our list, with this affordable and versatile pet brush. The unusual two-in-one design can both brush and massage your pet. Its head swivels through a full 360 degrees, locking into place in two different positions. When the bristles form a ‘V’ shape, it’s perfect for massaging. When this shape is inverted, it acts as a slicker brush. In use, the tool removes loose hair, detangles, and reaches right down to the undercoat.
Whichever configuration you select, you can rest assured the brush won’t hurt your pet, thanks to rounded ends on each bristle. Thanks to a grippy, ergonomic handle, it’s comfortable for humans, too. For easy storage, the handle also features a convenient hanging hole. Suitable for cats, dogs, and guinea pigs as well as rabbits, it’s a perfect option if you share your home with more than one species. Owners say that the handy brush is simple to use, and works a treat.
Slicker brush for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits
Non-slip, ergonomic handle for comfortable use
Rounded bristle ends won’t hurt pets
2-in-1 function: massage and brush
Rotating brush head
Removes excess hair, down to the undercoat
Hanging hole makes for convenient storage
Excellent value for money
- Brand: PETPAWJOY
- Weight: 4 ounces
The next rabbit grooming brush to earn a spot on our list is this self-cleaning design from Poodle Pet. A trusted brand among grooming professionals, Poodle Pet have brought their expertise to bear on this durable and easy to use product. The slicker brush detangles, slicks, removes excess hair, all without hurting your pet. Thanks to its gentle but effective bristles, your pet will love the grooming process.
Meanwhile, an easy grip handle ensures that owners are just as comfortable using the product. Its lightweight design also helps ensure that the brush is pleasant to use – even for those longer grooming sessions. When you’re done, the brush is super easy to care for – thanks to its ‘self-cleaning’ mechanism. At the touch of a button, the bristles will retract inside the handle, leaving a clump of hair than can simply be wiped away. The lightweight brush is as easy to store as it is to use. A small hole in the handle makes it easy to hang up. With regular use, this handy brush not only reduces shedding and prevents matts, it will also leave your rabbit’s hair silky soft, and gleaming.
Slicker brush, suitable for multiple pets
Professional quality
Gentle yet effective bristles
Ergonomic, easy grip handle
Comfortable for pets
Detangels, slicks, removes excess hair
Leaves coats shiny and soft
Bristles retract for an easy clean-up
Simple to store thanks to a hanging hole
- Brand: Poodle Pet
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
Perfect for smaller animals like rabbits and guinea pigs, this slicker brush is the perfect addition to your rabbit care regime. Small enough to help owners effectively brush all over your rabbit without catching awkward angles, while being large enough to provide your rabbit with a great brushing experience, this is the ideal choice for owners.
A curved head and ergonomic grip ensure you’re able to maintain your grip while brushing, while the longer teeth go deep enough to massage your rabbit. Added to this are the pliability of the teeth, which are topped with soft plastic, to help keep their skin safe during brushing. Overall, this is a good quality brush for all your rabbit-brushing needs.
Pliable teeth for easier brushing
Curved head and handle provide an ergonomic grip
Soft plastic tips to protect skin
Designed for smaller animals
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079536
- Weight: 2.08 Ounces
For a well-rounded grooming experience, this bunny grooming kit by Ware Manufacturing could be the perfect option. Featuring a bristle brush, pin brush, nail clippers, and chew toy, the collection contains just about everything you need for an easy and effective grooming session. The pin brush gently removes tangles, matts, and excess fur, reaching deep into the undercoat for a thorough grooming experience. Next, use the bristle brush to add lustre and shine to your pet’s coat. Both brushes are firm enough to perform their job, yet gentle enough so as not to damage your rabbit’s sensitive skin.
Meanwhile, the small but strong clippers make it easy to clip your pet’s nails. This process can be a little tricky, but thanks to the clippers’ small size, it’s easy to manoeuvre them into place on your rabbit’s nails. Regularly cutting your rabbit’s claws helps ensure they don’t become ingrown, and helps the animal to balance properly. Throughout your grooming session, you can distract reluctant pets using the tasty chew toy included. Owners across the board say that the kit is an excellent starting point, encouraging new owners to get into good grooming habits.
Rabbit grooming kit
Includes: bristle brush, wire brush, nail clippers, and chew toy
Pin brush removes tangles and excess hair, reaching into the undercoat
Bristle brush improves coat condition
Both brushes are gentle enough so as not to hurt your pet
Nail clippers are light and easy to handle
Tasty chew toy distracts anxious pets during the grooming process
- Brand: Ware Manufacturing
- Model: 03317
- Weight: 4 ounces
Perfect for long-haired rabbits and smaller pets, this slicker brush comes with a good range of features to help make the most out of cleaning time. The non-slip handle and additional grip allow for a smoother motion, making brushing better for your bunny. At the same time, the larger head is ideal for bigger rabbits.
Best of all, the self-cleaning brush head makes short work out of cleaning your rabbit brush. Simply push down and the fur will be moved forward, meaning you don’t need to spend hours de-fluffing your brush after every use.
Self cleaning brush head
Comfortable grip
Non-slip handle
Wider head for larger rabbits
- Brand: Timingila
- Weight: 4.37 Ounces
Last, but not least, comes this unique grooming kit by Dasksha. Featuring one hand comb, and one deshedding glove, the kit makes it easy to groom your pet. Both parts of the kit are gentle on your rabbit’s delicate skin, thanks to soft yet flexible bristles. Start with the comb, to work out tangles and excess hair. The comb is ergonomically shaped, and can be easily attached to your hand with an adjustable strap. Made from flexible rubber, it’s easy to grip, too.
Next, use the deshedding glove to get rid of any last hair, while simultaneously petting your rabbit. Made using breathable mesh, the glove helps your hand to stay cool and fresh during use. Meanwhile, silicone tips allow you to give your pet a quick massage, promoting bonding between the two of you. Thanks to an adjustable wrist strap, it’s easy to keep the glove in place. When you’re done, the glove is 100% washable – simply pop it in the machine once you’ve pulled off excess hair. If your pet doesn’t like conventional brushes, this kit could be the ideal solution. Owners agree that rabbits love the feel of the silicone glove, and were impressed with the durability of both parts of the kit. At under $15, it also represents excellent value for money.
Rabbit grooming kit, with one comb and one glove deshedder
Comb made from stainless steel bristles
Rounded edges prevent skin damage
Both tools are easy to use
Glove made using breathable fabric
Easy to wash and care for
Excellent value for money
- Brand: Dasksha
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
Best Brush For Rabbits Buying Guide
These eight brushes are the best of the bunch, and any one of them can give your rabbit the great grooming experience they deserve. To help you pick the perfect option for your pet, we’ve put together this brief guide.
Below, we discuss what to look out for in a grooming brush, how to properly use one, and why proper grooming is so important. For everything you need to know about effectively grooming a bunny, read on.
What to Look for in a Good Rabbit Grooming Brush
When it’s time to select a grooming brush for your furry friend, it’s a good idea to watch out for the following traits:
- Quality Materials
First and foremost, it’s a good idea to look out for high quality materials. Stainless steel bristles, which are rigid enough for successful deshedding, are usually your best bet. The material is also resistant to corrosion, allowing the brush to last for use after use.
- Ease of Use
Like any tool, your new rabbit brush should be as easy to use as possible. For a comfortable experience, look for a brush that features an ergonomic handle – ideally with some sort of grippy coating. You’ll also want to ensure the brush isn’t too heavy.
- Safety
Rabbits have pretty delicate skin. Although it’s protected by their coat most of the time, steel brushes can often reach deep enough to make contact. For this reason it’s important to choose a brush with bristles that are gentle enough to use on your pet safely. If in doubt, look out for rounded bristles, or bristles capped with soft tips.
- Cleaning Features
Cleaning out brushes can be an arduous task. Luckily, many petcare companies have borne this in mind when designing their equipment. For an easy cleanup operation, look out for brushes with a ‘self-cleaning’ mechanism. This allows you to remove hair from the bristles with the push of a button, wiping it away in one fell swoop rather than pulling it out in awkward clumps.
- Budget
As with any purchase, budget is an important consideration when selecting a rabbit grooming brush. Luckily, professional quality brushes can be had for as little as $10, and they’re definitely a sound investment. Provided you take care of your brush and use it appropriately, it should last for many years to come. Many reputable manufacturers even back their brushes with a lifetime guarantee for your peace of mind.
- Extras
Some grooming brushes have special features, or come as part of a kit alongside other useful accessories. Special features include:
- Self-cleaning mechanism
- Rotating brush head
- Double-sided
- Hanging hole
Additional accessories include:
- Grooming glove
- Nylon brush
- Chew toy
- Comb
The features and accessories you need will depend very much on your pet’s grooming needs. For instance, if they’re a little sensitive to brushing, it’s a good idea to look out for a glove-style brush, which will feel more like petting than brushing.
Benefits of Using a Bunny Brush
As we mentioned earlier, grooming is pretty important to your rabbit’s health. One key component of the grooming process is brushing.
Regularly using a bunny brush on your furry friend comes with a number of benefits:
- Preventing Gastro-Intestinal Blockages
Because rabbits naturally groom themselves, they often ingest small amounts of hair. Over time, this hair can cause issues in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, sometimes resulting in blockages that can be painful and dangerous. Owners can significantly reduce the risk of GI blockages by removing excess hair from their rabbit with a grooming brush.
- Protecting the Skin
Long haired rabbits, such as Lionheads, Angoras, and Fuzzy Lops, can develop tangled and matted fur if left unchecked. These knots aren’t just uncomfortable, they can actually cut off blood supply to the skin over time, and trigger skin irritation. Knots can also harbor dirt and debris, so it’s best to remove them from a hygiene point of view. Regular brushing will prevent these tangles from occurring.
- Preventing Infection around the Eyes
Regular brushing helps to keep hair and debris out of your rabbit’s eyes. This significantly reduces the risk of eye infections developing.
- Keeping Hair Soft and Shiny
Along with myriad health benefits, brushing your bunny’s coat also helps your furry friend to look their best. Brushing can stimulate blood flow to the skin, and helps to evenly distribute natural skin oils for a soft and silky texture that gleams.
- Bonding
Grooming your pet on a regular basis helps to establish trust, and secures the bond between you. Grooming or petting an animal releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with love and affection. Being petted or groomed released the same hormone in your rabbit, helping you and your pet feel closer to one another.
What to Avoid When Buying a Brush for Rabbit Grooming
As we mentioned earlier, rabbits have pretty sensitive skin, so it’s important to avoid certain qualities when selecting a brush for your hopping housemate:
- Sharp bristles, which could damage the rabbit’s skin
- Poor quality materials
- Uncomfortable handles – you could lose your grip
- Bristles that are too short to reach your pet’s undercoat
Best Brush for Rabbits FAQ:
Q: How often should I brush my rabbit?
A: Most rabbits should be brushed every few days. Ideally, you should develop a regular grooming routine, so your furry friend can get used to the process.
To properly groom your bunny, work through the following steps:
- Handle your Rabbit Carefully
Before you start and grooming, make sure that you’re handling your rabbit with care. Most bunnies don’t like to be lifted, thanks to some pretty strong natural instincts. For this reason, it’s best to introduce your pet to the grooming process gradually, starting with contact they’re comfortable with, before sliding one hand along its side and under its chest, and moving the other to support its rear end. This contact should be built up gradually, so your pet doesn’t become stressed.
- Brushing
At least once a week, brush your rabbit. Using a pin brush, brush the hair from top to tail, in the direction of their fur. Ensure you brush all over, being gentle so as not to irritate their skin. The main purpose of this brushing is to remove excess hair, which not only keeps your house a little tidier, but also helps prevent GI blockages.
- Ears & Eyes
Once every week or so, wipe any gunk away from your rabbit’s ears and eyes using a soft, damp cloth. This helps to prevent infection, and keep your bunny comfortable.
- Health Check
Grooming your rabbit is a great opportunity to carry out a quick health check. Be sure to check:
- Eyes and ears – for unusual discharge or parasites
- Teeth and jaws for bumps and asymmetry
- Sores on the skin or foot pads
- Nail Clipping
Clipping your rabbit’s nails can be a tricky process, but luckily it only needs to be done every six to eight weeks. Nails should be clipped when they grow longer than the hair around them. Snip off the edge, being careful to avoid the quick. This is the nail’s blood supply, and appears as a black line.
- Bathing
If possible, you should avoid bathing your rabbit. The process can damage their coat if it isn’t properly dried, plus rabbits tend to struggle away from water, and could injure themselves. Only give your rabbit a bath it they’re really dirty, and dry them as thoroughly as possible.
Our Top Pick
In our opinion, the best brush for rabbits has to be this nifty and affordable design from CleanHouse Pets. Suitable for all your furry friends, this easy to use brush alleviates shedding, prevents matting, and leaves your pet’s hair feeling silky and soft. In use, the brush makes things comfortable for both you and your pet, featuring an ergonomic handle and gentle bristles.
When the brushing is done, these bristles can be retracted with a simple mechanism, allowing you to simply wipe away excess fur, leaving the brush clean and fresh for next time. Pets love the feeling of this brush, and since it’s suitable for cats, dogs, and guinea pigs as well as rabbits, the whole menagerie will be lining up for their next beauty appointment. Backed by a lifetime warranty, you can rest assured the handy brush is built to last.
Source:
- Rabbit Grooming: How to Groom a Shedding Bunny, Best Friends Animal Society
