Brushing German Angora

[Meganc731]

Hello,

Now that Mr. Wiggles is comfortable with us I've been brushing him moreoften, I try to brush him at least every other day. I brush out a lotof hair though and I wondered if that much was supposed to come out. Ithought because they didn't molt (or moult?) it would be more likebrushing a cat or a dog, but not so, more like shredding up a bag ofcotton balls Is a lot of brushed out hair normal? I could probablybrush for hours and still be brushing how hair, how do I know when tostop?

Thanks,

Megan

PS going to attempt to attatch a picture again :?

 

[Meganc731]

ughhh I can't figure out pictures :X

 

[pamnock]

Angora coats are not supposed to be brushed -- you are stripping the coat and removing all the underwool.

We use a powerful blower to groom the Angora coat and remove the mattsthat are beginning the form in the coat. Any Angoras that arenot being used for showing are sheared down with scissors.

It angers me that breeders sell Angoras as petswithoutintensive instruction on their unique care andgrooming. Neglected Angora coats can matt to the skin andcreate sores as well as develop bad mite infestations. ManyAngoras have gone into shock and died from the stress of someoneattempting "fix" the matted coat, including one case I know of thathappened at a vet's office An inexperienced person caneasily slice the Angora's delicate skin open when attempting to cutmatts out of the coat. Dog groomers do not have the properinstruction on shearing rabbits.

The good news -- sounds like your Angora is one of the few to end up ina great home with a responsible owner! I would cut the coatshorter and purchase a blower to groom it. You can use a dogslicker brush around the face, ears and on the tummy and cut excesswool around the genitals.

Pam

 

[Meganc731]

Thanks for the information. Where can I find ablower? Will it sound like a vacuum? He gets a little nervous about thevacuum, will he get used to it? I ordered the book Completely Angora,it should be here soon, but it took me awhile to find it. Ithink that will help.



Thanks,

Megan

 

[pamnock]

Here's a good article http://jdbookman.tripod.com/grooming.html

The blower does sound like a vacuum. You can start outholding it a distance away until the rabbit gets used to it.If the rabbit is not being shown, you can cut the wool off.

Rabbit, Veterinary and Dog supply catalogs will carry the blowers:

http://shop.petmarket.com/petmarket/metairforex4.html





Pam

 

[Meganc731]

Thanks that's helpful, I really appreciate it. Ihad read about using blowers but because it said for show rabbits, Ididn't think it was harmful to brush them. I'm glad I came to ask.

Megan

 

[pamnock]

It's not actually "harmful", but pulling out the wool could cause discomfort and bald spots.

Pam

 

[Meganc731]

I was wondering if there was any reason Icouldn'tstart by using a regular hair dryer on the coolsettingto getMr. Wiggles used to thesensation. Build up from low-medium-high (nothighheat, high air)and then the real thing? Itseems it would be a lot less traumitizing for him that way.

Thanks,

Megan

 

[pamnock]

You can use the blow dryer on cool to get yourrabbit used to the sound, however, the blow dryer is not powerfulenough to actually groom with.

Pam