clipping

My Lionhead rabbit has very long fur all over her body.  I am thinking of cutting the fur in the summer to make it easier for her as she is almost free range and its difficult to catch her everyday to groom her.   At the moment she gets groomed about every two weeks.   She doesnt have any knots as her fur is not as woolly as Angoras.   I think she is double maned  but the fur on her back is still long.    Any advice on either clipping or using scissors.   I will be using a comb to make sure I dont get too close to her skin.   Any advice appreciated.    I talked to the vet nurse and she said they use clippers but then the rabbit is almost bald, so that would not work...........

The photo of her shows her as she should be but now she has the long fur everywhere!! I am wondering if neutering her made the difference.

We have an Angora rabbit and we shave her in Summer for coolness and are apt to trim her fur in the Winter, she has a very very thick coat and so really we can only get a good amount off by shaving with clippers. If her coat isn't very thick like an Angora coat I would trim with scissors for now and see how you go, you could always trim with clippers if it grows quickly.

Many thanks, I have been trying to put a photo of her on here as she is now with her long coat, but cant seem to do it!! Do you think its ok to trim her with scissors bearing in mind she likes to go outside in all weathers, although she does tend to run inside when it actually pours with rain.

Fraggle wrote:Many thanks,  I have been trying to put a photo of her on here as she is now with her long coat,  but cant seem to do it!!   Do you think its ok to trim her with scissors bearing in mind she likes to go outside in all weathers,  although she does tend to run inside when it actually pours with rain.

Yes we trim Angora Jess with scissors in-between shaving her with clippers, you just have to be careful you don't get to close to the skin if they have any matts as their skin is so tender and tears easily.

If that is her on your avatar photo she is beautiful and look's as if she has a very healthy and beautiful coat   

Yes that is Leonora, but unfortunately her coat doesnt look like that now!! Not sure why it has got so long all over.......

Fraggle wrote:Yes that is Leonora, but unfortunately her coat doesnt look like that now!!   Not sure why it has got so long all over.......

Leonora oh what a lovely name .

When we first got Angora Jess her coat was shorter and she didn't actually look like an Angora and then it started to grow and grow and grow and it has grown so thick .

I feel your pain!! I have had such problems with my little guy, Mojo. He is definitely for the most part Angora. We get him shaved quarterly at the start of each season as he is a very timid boy and hates to be caught and groomed.

If your girlie doesn't object then I'd say manage her with scissors. Mojo has to go under sedation each time which is always a worry, not to mention the lovely bill I have waiting for me at the end of the day!

Mo was described as "needing regular grooming" when I got him, but his coat just continued to grow and grow and grow. It has been a real nightmare for me (ask any of the hoppers, they'll tell you ) but when you find a method of managing it that works, it gets easier.

Those of us who are lionhead crosses have very much shorter fur in the summer, so you might not need to intervene once she has been through her spring moult.

Our Reggie is an incredibly flooffy rabbit, and you would not believe she was the same bun if you met her in summer then again in winter  

Binky is a lionhead and if it gets really warm this summer, I will give him a little trim especially on his back.

Hugs

Jo xx