Grooming for bunnies!
Do rabbits need regular grooming?
We hear this question a lot from new bunny owners and families who are considering adopting. The answer is yes!
We love our rabbits but we know they need a lot of care. Their nails grow continuously and they frequently shed. Long nails can cause pain and mobility problems and ingesting fur can cause fatal digestive problems. Vets recommend that rabbits get groomed every 6-8 weeks.
Why bring your bunny for grooming at Sunshine Rabbit Center?
Grooming your own bunnies at home can be stressful, especially if you have a fussy bunny or one with extra medical needs. Luckily our expert groomer is here to help! She has 30+ years experience and a magic touch. Book your grooming appointment online!
Note: All rabbits must be vaccinated against RHDV2 to attend grooming. Not vaccinated? Here’s a list of vets in the greater Los Angeles area that offer the vaccine.
Good to know:
We’re conveniently located in Long Beach, CA, with easy freeway access to Los Angeles, Orange County, San Pedro, and more. See our Contact & Location section for info on hours and parking.
Grooming is included with boarding (based on groomer availability) - another great reason to bring your rabbits to our bunny hotel!
Want to learn to groom at home? We offer grooming workshops. Keep an eye on our Instagram and our Events page for info about upcoming workshops.
What kind of grooming do you offer and what does it cost?
Sunshine offers full grooming by appointment (30 minutes, book here) and basic nail trims (10 minutes) any time we’re open. See our Contact & Location section for info on hours and parking.
We groom all breeds, including breeds with special grooming needs like angoras, lionheads, lops, Jersey woolies, and rex rabbits. Short-haired and long-haired rabbits are all welcome. Leave us a note with your reservation if there’s anything you think we should know about your bunny’s grooming needs.
Grooming and nail trims are both donation-based, which means you can choose the amount that’s right for you. The average donation for grooming is $20-$30 per bunny; the average donation for nail trims is $10-$15. That’s the best deal in town - and everything you donate goes directly to support rescue bunnies!
Full groomings are like a mini spa day! They’re also educational. You’re welcome to sit with our groomer while she works to learn techniques or ask questions. Book your full grooming here.
Prefer to take a little breather? You’re also welcome to go for a stroll or run an errand while your bunny gets groomed. Sunshine is located in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood near lots of coffee shops and restaurants.
Full grooming lasts roughly 30 minutes. Here’s what full grooming includes:
Brushing (for short-haired and long-haired rabbits)
Nail trims
Gland cleaning
Ear cleaning & wax removal
Relaxing massage (time permitting)
Cleaning around eye (for bunnies with weepy eyes)
Light trimming or shaving for matted fur (with owner permission)
Gentle butt wash (for bunnies with messy bottoms)
Full grooming is donated based. You’re welcome to pay the amount that feels right to you. The average donation for a full grooming is $20-$30 per rabbit.
What services are included in a full bunny grooming?
What services are included in a nail trimming?
Have a grumpy bunny who hates those pesky nail trims? Bring them to Sunshine! Nail trims take roughly 10 minutes. Our nail trims include:
Trimming of all nails, with knowledgable staff trained to trim dark nails and nails with long quicks
Gland cleaning (helps with your bunny’s cleanliness and any smells)
Education upon request, if you’d like to learn to trim at home
Extra care supplies at the ready and recommend grooming items in our store
Nail trims are donation based.You’re welcome to pay the amount that feels right to you. The average donation for a nail trim is $10-$15 per rabbit.
Do you provide grooming for bunnies with medical needs?
Every bunny is different. Sometimes bunnies with special medical needs have trouble cleaning themselves and need extra assistance. When you book your grooming appointment, please let us know about any current medical conditions.
In some cases, we may need to schedule extra time for your grooming appointment. Or, if your bunny’s is potentially contagious or if they have serious health concerns, it be more appropriate to visit a vet for care.
Our groomer is happy to groom bunnies with the following conditions:
Joint pain and mobility issues like partial paralysis
Sore hocks causing calluses, redness, or minor irritation
Weepy eyes and ear wax build-up (speak to vet about causes or possible infections)
Extensive fur matting
Chronic head tilt or dizziness (if already treated by a vet)
Nasal drip (if a vet has determined the cause is not contagious)
Because we are not a medical facility, our grooming appointments are not designed for all medical situations. Instead of booking a grooming appointment, please visit your vet if your bunny has the following conditions:
Fleas, mites, or other pests that can spread to other animals
Open wounds, such as large bites, bleeding wounds from sore hocks, or ruptured cysts
Possible fly strike, most common in bunnies who spend time outdoors & have trouble cleaning themselves
Untreated conditions that may cause a bunny to experience pain during grooming, such as active ear infections, overgrown teeth or dental infections, broken bones or dislocations, gas bloating, or GI stasis.
Contagious infections like the snuffles (Pasteurella)
Meet our bunny groomer, Audrey!
Audrey is a core member of the Sunshine team. She has been volunteering with animals for 40 years and grooming rabbits for more than 30. She has also been a professional human hair stylist. Audrey loves being with rabbits and finds her time with them very calming. She currently has two rabbits: Leo, a 5-year-old boy, who is grumpy and never wants human attention and Lolly, a 7-year-old girl, who loves attention and is sweet and bossy. No one can groom a fussy bunny like Audrey!
