FAQ: Grooming for small pets

Dandruff can come from dry skin, poor diet or frequent bathing, but it can also be caused by mites or fungus. If there is a lot of it, the animal scratches or loses hair, see a vet.

Short-haired rabbits usually need brushing once a week, and daily while shedding. Long-haired rabbits, such as Angoras or Lionheads, need daily brushing to keep the coat from matting.

Rabbits swallow a lot of hair when grooming, and they cannot cough it up the way cats do. Heavy shedding can upset digestion, so regular brushing removes dead hair and reduces this risk.

Rabbits are often groomed with rubber combs or gloves, soft brushes and combs with rounded teeth, and long-haired ones also with tangle brushes. Avoid sharp metal brushes, which can scratch a rabbit’s thin skin.

Some tools made for dense undercoats are too sharp for rabbits and can injure the thin skin or pull out too much hair. If you use such a tool, choose one made for small pets, use it gently and briefly.

Most rabbits shed more heavily twice a year, in spring and autumn, and some more often or a little all the time. During a moult hair can come out in large tufts, so brushing is needed more often.

During a moult the coat sometimes falls out unevenly, and a clear line between old and new fur may show for a while. But if the skin is red or flaky, the animal scratches or the bald patches do not go away, see a vet.

Reduced appetite or smaller droppings during a moult can signal a digestive problem, which can be dangerous for rabbits. Provide plenty of hay and water and brush more often, and if the rabbit stops eating or pooping, see a vet without delay.

Angora wool mats very quickly, so it needs daily combing and regular trimming or clipping. It is worth learning how to care for such a coat from an experienced breeder or groomer.

A chinchilla’s coat is mostly cared for by the sand bath, but it can occasionally be combed gently with a chinchilla comb, especially during a moult. Comb softly and do not pull, as chinchilla fur comes out easily.

When frightened or grabbed, chinchillas can release a clump of fur as a defensive reaction. The fur grows back, but a chinchilla should be held gently by the body and never grabbed by the coat.

Long-haired Syrian hamsters, especially males, have long fur on their rear that can mat and collect bedding. It can occasionally be brushed gently with a soft toothbrush or a small comb.

If needed, matted or soiled fur can be carefully shortened with blunt-tipped scissors. Be very careful, because a hamster’s skin is thin, and if the animal is restless, ask a vet for help.

Usually not, as rats groom their own and each other’s coats very thoroughly. Older or overweight animals that cannot reach their backs can be helped by gently wiping or stroking with a soft brush.

Rats’ tails, especially in older males, can get coated with grease and dirt when the animal no longer reaches or grooms them. The tail can be cleaned gently with lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush, without scrubbing too hard.

Adult male rats often produce more oily skin secretions, so the coat on their back can look greasy and yellowish. This is usually normal, but if there are scabs, itching or hair loss as well, a vet should take a look.

Degus look after their coat themselves with the help of sand baths, so they usually do not need brushing. It is vital never to lift or grab a degu by the tail, as its skin can slip off.

Start with short, calm sessions when the animal is relaxed, and brush in the direction the hair grows. Offer a favourite treat afterwards so brushing becomes associated with something pleasant.

Hold the animal on your lap or on a table with a non-slip towel, supporting its body with one hand. With rabbits it is especially important to support the hind legs, as a sudden kick can injure the spine.

When clipping nails or cleaning sensitive areas, especially on restless animals, two people often make it easier and safer: one holds while the other grooms. This reduces the risk of the animal wriggling free or getting hurt.