Angora Groomimg: Part1 BunnyCentral.com

[VTFarmArt]

imho, a shop vac is too loud, can damage bunnies hearing (and humans too) also they dont have the power to really open up the coat/de-mat like a "real" professional dog groomers blower will. people blow driers are useless. Also on this video it looks like the woman waves the blower nozzle around way too fast (or video is way to ffwd) - i move nozzle slow -moving nozzle fast like it appears in this video results in more mats. see Eweporium.webs.com fmi on angora care.

[checkfoldcallraise]

haha they're cute. i've never seen an angora bunny before. are they calm like that by nature, or is this one trained?

[bunnycentral]

They are calm natured. They have been groomed for centuries and if they were not calm they would become dinner at the monastery. Babies were born of calm parents and so on for generations. They are usually very sweet.

[keyisf]

Thanks for the grooming tip!

[peachy6969]

Was the bunny washed and dried at the beginning or were you just using cool air to loosen up the hair and help separate the mats and blow out the dead fur?

[bunnycentral]

We blow the rabbit once or twice a week, they have not been bathed. The blowing takes the place of using a brush or comb and keeps more wool on the rabbit over time. We compete and 50% of the points are in the density of the wool. Keeping the coat on the rabbit until it comes time to clip the wool is beneficial. This also assures that there is more straight, long, quality wool if you want to spin as well.

[invisblemouse]

Thank you so much. Your angora grooming tips have really helped me and my English angora!

[bunnycentral]

You are welcome!

[invisblemouse]

I actually have a question maybe you can help me, I have an English Angora but I find as soon as his coat gets 1.5" long he mats at the base close to the skin and I cannot get it out with coming, its a general all around his body. The hair above is perfect and continues to grow perfect. Is this normal? Or how do I prevent it. I brush every other day with a slicker brush and pin comb, but have been opting to shave him to 0.5" inches when this starts. Any suggestions?

[bunnycentral]

Gosh, I do not know. Males have greasier skin ... are you using the blower? That has really helped for me. Maybe a bath to reduce the oils? Anyone else ... ideas?

[invisblemouse]

I use a hair drier on cool, once a week, but I find I get no more out then brushing. I may have to breakdown and buy a blower. May be I will increase it to 2 or 3 times a week. Are blowers much better at getting the hair out?

[bunnycentral]

Blowers are WAAAAY better than a blow dryer. You can use a "ShopVac" on the blower setting. Black & Decker has a nice small one. Put an crevice tool on the end of the hose to concentrate the air flow. It is 4 times more effective.

[invisblemouse]

I never thought of that, I just got a Mini ShopVac for Christmas, haven't even opened it because I have a beat up old one. (Mainly used for gathering hay around the cages). I will break it open and see if there is anything I can use. Thank you! I never would have thought to use a shopvac blower! I'll post back after I try it out a few times.

[bunnycentral]

I use the Shop vac in the summer as the blowers are slightly heated (so better in the cold weather). On a warm day like it is here in California today the Shop Vac is fine. If you use the Shop Vac on a cold day you'll get them very cold and they won't like it. Never blow inside unless you like to houseclean EVERYWHERE.

[zubery]

I have 6 angoras. German hybrids, a fuzzy lop, & a jersey wooly. The German hybrids will mat when they are full length. To prevent wool block (they will ingest too much fur and get a block in the intestine if you continually have them in full coat), & to prevent heat exhaustion in summer, I shear them. You can do it with a scissors. If I do it early enough (before mats), they can be in a "puppy" type cut all the time, about 1-1.5 inches. They are much happier and never mat if kept trimmed.

[zubery]

Also, If you want a pet, a haircut is a nice idea, but for showing you can't do it. Just wanted to clarify. I think keeping an angora in full coat year round is unhealthy and flat out cruel. But for showing, you have no choice. Show buns are usually kept in a small cages so they don't get dirty. Not the life I'd want.