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Can You Use Dog Shampoo On Rabbits? Recommendations & FAQ

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While you really shouldn’t be bathing your rabbit since it can damage their coats and skin and be traumatic1, there are rare occasions where you’ll need to clean them up. Usually, this will be more of a spot cleaning (mostly on their feet and butts). If you’re spot-cleaning your rabbit, you might wonder what kind of shampoo is safe to use.

Many first-time rabbit owners wonder if you can use dog shampoo on rabbits and whether it will effectively clean them. The short answer is that while dog shampoo can clean your rabbit, it shouldn’t be used in most cases. Read on to discover why that is and what shampoo you should use!

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Why Dog Shampoo Shouldn’t Be Used On Rabbits

Our rabbit friends have delicate, sensitive skin, and many dog shampoos contain chemicals that are too harsh and irritating for them. They can also strip your rabbit’s coat of its natural oils. However, if you find a hypo-allergenic dog shampoo for sensitive skin or made with natural ingredients, it should be fine to use on your pet. Overall, it’s recommended that you always go with a shampoo that is made for rabbits since it’s safer.

rabbit bath
Image Credit: Roselynne, Shutterstock

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What to Look for In a Rabbit Shampoo

Because it’s unsafe to use dog shampoo to clean your rabbit, you should look for a shampoo designed for them. To aid you in finding the perfect shampoo for your pet, here are a few things you should look at when deciding on one.

1. Ingredients

Because rabbits have delicate skin, you’ll need a shampoo with gentle ingredients. Look for formulas that use all-natural or organic ingredients and don’t have chemicals or additives. Shampoos that are hypo-allergenic or for sensitive skin are ideal. Shampoos that also provide skin and coat conditioning are excellent choices as well.


2. Made for Rabbits

In addition to dog shampoo, you should also avoid cat and human shampoo. Shampoos formulated for rabbits (or small animals) have gentler ingredients and are pH-balanced to meet your rabbit’s needs.

rabbit lying on the carpet
Image Credit: ZouZou, Shutterstock

3. Shampoo Type

There are also several dry shampoos for rabbits and small animals. Since you don’t want to stick your rabbit in water if you don’t have to, dry shampoo may be the better choice. The downside of dry shampoos is that they sometimes don’t clean as well as liquid shampoos. You’ll need to decide whether getting a shampoo that requires rinsing or a dry shampoo that may leave them a little dirtier is better for your pet.

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Final Thoughts

While a dog shampoo could clean up your rabbit’s poopy butt or dirty feet, it’s best not to use it. The best option is a shampoo for rabbits or small animals; it contains the safest ingredients and is pH-balanced for their skin. Also, remember that water and your rabbit aren’t a great mix, and you can try a dry shampoo, which is less stressful for them. Rabbits are sensitive animals that do not tolerate temperature changes or stress well, which is why they should only be bathed if absolutely necessary.


Featured Image Credit: Ana Nikolayeva, Pexels

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