Baby shampoo?

[equestrian<3]

Sometimes my HL buck doesn't eat his ceocotropes (a problem that has been addressed, and is hopefully being taken care of) and gets them on his bottom. Since it usually happens during the night and i don't find out until morning, it has hardened and dried into his fur. I have found that the best method of taking care of this is taking a big plastic box (the big kind with the lid, I can't think of the name right now), filling it with a couple inches of water and letting him sit there in it and soak it off. I sometimes add baby shampoo to the water if he smells bad to take care of the odor, but someone on a previous topic said that you can't use anything on a show rabbits coat, and it is an automatic DQ if you do. Would baby shampoo be included in that, and since I have used it before will that cause a problem?

 

[Bumper]

I've never heard that method suggested, so I might be wrong. Really, feel free to correct me someone, but this is my take on it.

You should never bathe show rabbits' coats because it does remove the natural oil and makes them look pretty bad -- I've seen it. I don't know if baby shampoo would be considered "faking," but I don't think so, because guinea pig breeders use it all the time.

That said, I don't think your rabbit would willingly sit in a few inches of water for any length of time. Mine hate getting wet. Also, those droppings dry on there very very hard, and it would take quite a while to soak them off. I usually snip off the fur when that happens.

 

[MaggieJ]

I've given a rabbit a "butt bath" once or twice to remove caked feces. I just use about three inches of plain tepid water in a bucket and lower the bun in backwards. Let him soak for a few minutes, then gently work the feces loose. I don't use any kind of soap or shampoo on rabbits because I feel it might irritate their skin.

 

[equestrian<3]

I've given a rabbit a "butt bath" once or twice to remove caked feces. I just use about three inches of plain tepid water in a bucket and lower the bun in backwards. Let him soak for a few minutes, then gently work the feces loose. I don't use any kind of soap or shampoo on rabbits because I feel it might irritate their skin.

This is what I do, I have only used the shampoo once because he smelled awful! I usually just do his butt instead of giving him a full bath.

 

[Pickles]

As far as I know there isnt anything wrong with shampooing your show bun... cant imagine the bun would like all that much though.

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

I think the judge would probably appreciate that you cleaned his butt.....Rabbits can be thrown off the table for having a dirty butt.

 

[akane]

I haven't seen anything that says you can't wash a rabbit for a show but since rabbits chill easy when wet and most people keep their rabbits outside it's not really suggested to do a full bath. Someone may have gotten told you should not wash your rabbit and thought it an actual rule when the other person just meant it was a health risk. These types of things tend to get misinterpreted and passed along wrongly by mouth.

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

Its not the giving of a bath or the cleaning of dirt from a rabbit that is not allowed, its the artificial "enhancing" of the coat by various means such as Show White or other grooming aids that are allowed in dogs or horses etc. As a side note Mini Rex should NEVER be given a bath simply because it totally destroys the coat and makes it soft and very very curly...

 

[eco2pia]

I've given a rabbit a "butt bath" once or twice to remove caked feces. I just use about three inches of plain tepid water in a bucket and lower the bun in backwards. Let him soak for a few minutes, then gently work the feces loose. I don't use any kind of soap or shampoo on rabbits because I feel it might irritate their skin.

This is what I do, I have only used the shampoo once because he smelled awful! I usually just do his butt instead of giving him a full bath.

Actually I have done the same thing to my buck in the sink, and he seemed to like it. I then dried him very well indoors by the heater. I will say he is an uncommonly mellow boy (thanks Paula!).

 

[LilFish_JWQueen(:]

I would say its ok...your not making the rabbit have a false appearance to win. Out of all honesty I jus take my babies with messy bottoms right to the hose and rise em off..and that is with the help of my sister cause God knows a rabbit ain't gona jus sit there when u put water on it lol

 

[equestrian<3]

My rabbit doesn't mind it. He just sits there, and he actually likes to kick the water up so it splashes everywhere, which is very surprising considering his personality.