Tips for Grooming Angoras
Pat Glenn, an ARBA Registrar and breeder of French and Satin Angora rabbits, brings us this article on grooming that lovely coat.

Many times I have had people tell me how much they love to look at Angora rabbits and how soft they feel, but they wouldn't want to go to all the trouble of grooming one. I think they're missing out on a beautiful, personable bunny and grooming can be as much trouble as you make it.

Hopefully, I'll be able to give you some suggestions that will help you get the most from your bunny with the easiest care.

As far as tools, a soft slicker brush such as Evergentle or ones used for cats, a metal comb and, in case of tough mats or for shearing, a pair of sharp, short-bladed scissors. Also, strange as this may sound, a hair blow dryer with a high cool air setting, or (as I use), a ShopVac on exhaust can really cut grooming time as I will explain later.

From my experience, the French Angoras are possibly the easiest to groom, because they don't have the facial wool nor do they have the wooly feet. Their senior wool has more guard hairs and helps them to mat less.

The English Angora has softer wool and that adorable fluffy face and those wooly feet. The muffs (side face wool), bangs and tassels (long hair on the ears) probably will need gentle grooming with your slicker and comb two or more times a week depending on how heavily furnished your rabbit is. It's easier to keep the pesky mats out than get them out once they start.

The Satin Angora, in my brief experience with them, can be tricky to groom. They have beautiful intense color, but the hair is fine and seems to attract mats especially in the young coat. Several long time Satin Angora breeders tell me they clip the coats from the young when they are 6 to 8 weeks old to help encourage a more groomable growth. Because of the fine hair shaft, the Satins don't look as 'fluffy' or appear to have as much density.

I have had several Satins which, as soon as you are done grooming them, start licking themselves all over. This pretty much undoes a lot of your grooming!

I haven't had a great deal of experience with Giant Angoras, but their massive coats can be gorgeous. In ease of grooming, they would probably be between the French and English.

The following suggestions will work for all four breeds and you can make adjustments according to your bunny and what works best for you.

Make sure you have a bag, paper sack or some kind of container in which to put the wool you clean from your grooming brush. If you spin, this gives you more wool; if not, it helps keep the place clean.

Start with the underside of the rabbit. If you're a one person groomer (I'm lucky enough to have my husband to help out), this can be accomplished easily with the help of a chair for you to sit on. Remember gentleness and firmness work best on all critters.

Take the rabbit's ears with your hand and take hold of the neck area, gently turn the rabbit over, supporting its back with your other hand. Sit down and place the upside down rabbit's head between your knees with the feet facing you. Do take care because those feet can pack a punch if they kick out. Place the head far enough between your knees that you can comfortably hold him snugly. Practice makes this easier for you and the rabbit, and usually when they feel secure they are not upset and jumpy. Now you can groom the tummy, feet, and legs.

Now on to the top half. It helps to have some kind of small table near waist high so it saves your back, carpeting helps the rabbit not slip and slide on the surface. If you have too large a space, the rabbit may want to hop away and explore, making it take longer to groom, and more frustrating. I think my grooming table top is about 18x24 inches.

This is where the blow dryer or ShopVac comes in. There are also pet blowers like what is used in dog grooming shops. These are smaller than a ShopVac, making them easier to transport, and maybe a little quieter. They can be ordered from pet or rabbit supply catalogs and usually start at $90 on up.

Angoras are wool-bearing animals and you want to keep that wool on the rabbit, as unbroken and mat free as possible. By 'blowing' the rabbit, with the above mentioned items, it helps to get rid of any dust or dander and help blowout the shedding hair before it can get caught in and start making mats. This is also healthy for the rabbit's 'scalp', as it lets air get down to the skin, particularly if the rabbit has a very dense coat. I think blowing is gentler on the rabbit and cuts down on grooming time.

I do use the slicker to help lift the wool as I blow, this also helps 'capture' the shedding hairs. Make sure when blowing that you give the entire rabbit a good going-over, especially in problem areas like behind the front legs and around the rump. If you notice mats developing, you can work on those specific spots with brush or comb. The rabbits don't mind the blowing and it has helped me keep those nice show coats longer. You may wish to use something to cover your nose and mouth while you are blowing. It is amazing the amount of 'dust' that will come from the rabbit.

Of course, don't forget the faces on those English and Giant. Don't use the blower here much, it irritates the eyes and avoid blowing it into the ears.

Get in the good grooming habit and you'll enjoy your lovable, exotic Angora--and may all your bunnies be mat-free!