How do you know it's time to clean scent glands?

[Tweetiepy]

Sorry this is another scent gland question. How do you know it's time to clean the scent glands? Is it when it starts to stink? I smell my bunny's hind quarters and he doesn't smell - could it mean I don't have to clean them.

He doesn't give off foul odor or anything. Is it possible that they NEVER have to be cleaned? I'm worried that he doesn't need them cleaned but if I start messing around in there, that they'll have to be cleaned all the time after that.

 

[Kipcha]

I personally just look and see if they are dirty or not.

I don't think that doing anything down there will make it get dirtier faster or anything. I have a few rabbits that almost never need them cleaned, but some have to be done pretty often. It really depends on the rabbit rather then how much you mess around down there that causes it to get dirty...

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Either look or palpitate the area and see if there is a buildup. We check ours when we clip their nails--every other month. Don't really have to clean the scent area that much.