Pudysue wrote:
...I was wondering what is the proper way to cleanher. She is not litter trained and she is now beginning to have anodor.
What can I do? Also, do you think that it is to lateto litter train her? Thanks for any advice.
Most rabbits are odorless. What are you attibuting the odorto? Is is the smell of her urine and/or poops? Isshe sitting in litter that is saturated with urine and poops, or isthere any fecal matter stuck to her fur?
Difficult to anwer your question(s) precisely if that kind ofinformation is not available. If you have to "clean" her, a little soapand water in a wash rag usually will suffice. It badlysoiled, you might dunk her rear end in warm, soapy water. Notadvisable to fully submerge rabbits in a bath, and rarely evernecessary. Be sure to adequately dry herafterwards. Some buns will stand for hair dryer on lowsetting. Bathing removes natural oils in the fur and shouldbe discouraged.
If the smell comes from soiled bedding, change same morefrequently. Our buns are on wire floors placedabout 1 1/2" above a paper lined tray below, so they don't have to sitin soiled bedding. Studies have suggested that buns preferwire floors over wooden floors or surfaces with beddingonthem.
Is she spayed? If not, she may be spraying urine about,leading to odorous surfaces that you can detect more readily.If she is not spayed, you might consider it in the interests of goodhealth, longevity, less sexually induced behaviors and/or frustrations.
Some poops, special ones called cecotrophes, tend to be moreodiforous. They are usually eaten by the buns, a natural andnecessary behavior for the bun's good health, but sometimes,ifthe diet is too rich, the bun may produce more than it canconsume. Cecotropes look like a dark cluster of minaturegrapes and emit a pungent smell that may account for yourconcern. In such a case, cut back on treats or other richfood you may be giving her.
Never to late to litter box train and, in fact, older buns usuallylearn more quickly than younger buns, who are "too busy" exploring lifeto concentrate on peeing in the right spot. Find the cornershe prefers to pee in and place the litter box there, perhaps, withsome urine soaked paper or bedding to convey the idea of this where sheshould go.
Don't use clumping cat litter, at risk of the bun's life, nor cedarshavings, which can cause pulmonary, respiratory, and skin conditions,some fatal. Many of us here use WoodyPet Professional AnimalBedding, which is a granulated wood-based litter that is safe,inexpensive, and very user friendly.
Welcome to the Forum! Others may have additional information to add.
Buck
