It’s common to see a rabbit fidgeting, twitching its nose, and just looking to clean itself with a lick or two. This is a major part of who they are as a species and what they prefer when it comes to cleanliness. While all of this is true, a rabbit scratching all the time becomes an issue. This is why it is important to ask, how much scratching is normal for a rabbit?
A rabbit should not scratch itself all the time and only a scratch once in a while is acceptable. If the rabbit is constantly feeling itchy and showing signs of aggravation, there may be an underlying issue such as fleas causing trouble.
It’s highly recommended to consult with a vet and do a spot check to see what is causing the problem.
Key factors include:
- Fleas
- Quality of the Living Arrangements
- Bedding
Everything has to be kept as clean as possible especially when you start asking, “How much scratching is normal for a rabbit?”
This is clearly a sign that something is wrong because a rabbit that scratches itself all the time isn’t normal. This is not the type of behavior you would expect from them.
This guide is going to take a look at the query “How much scratching is normal for a rabbit?” to assess what is okay and what is not along with how to help a rabbit that is itchy.
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Tips On How To Help a Scratching Rabbit
1. Brush the Fur Regularly
How often are you brushing your rabbit?
This is a good place to start because it is all about maintenance. Indoor rabbits do need to be groomed from time to time and they will shed fur twice a year.
This can lead to bouts of scratching where the rabbit does become itchy.
It is best to take a hand brush such as the one shown above and begin working on the rabbit’s fur.
Your goal when asking “How much scratching is normal for a rabbit?” should be to inspect the rabbit’s fur.
This will give you a deeper look into what is happening and whether or not changes are necessary. Taking a look at the rabbit’s health is a good starting point.
It will allow you to work on the rabbit’s fur while also providing relief with the help of a hand brush. This is going to soothe your rabbit in the short-term.
When you do this, make sure to cover the entire body and get all of the spots a rabbit may find to be itchy.
2. Inspect for Fleas
This is one of the biggest troublemakers when it comes to a rabbit that is scratching itself.
The rabbit may have a set of fleas that are spreading on its body. As you can imagine, this is not a pleasant feeling and it will only get worse as the fleas spread.
You have to nip this problem in the bud by using a flea treatment for rabbits as soon as you can.
Letting things continue isn’t going to yield good results.
If you are asking “How much scratching is normal for a rabbit?” then it is best to take a look at the rabbit’s fur right away.
If you notice fleas, bathe the rabbit and speak to a vet.
3. Bathe the Rabbit Often
How often are you bathing the rabbit?
You should look to bathe the rabbit more often if it is scratching itself. This may be a sign that something is causing the rabbit to feel itchy and it likely has to do with contaminants in the fur or on the skin.
By giving the rabbit a warm bath, it is possible to get rid of those impurities. This is especially true if you have a rabbit that tends to go into the garden all the time.
Final Thoughts
“How much scratching is normal for a rabbit?”
Scratching in rabbits is normal behavior, but only when it is done in moderation. if the rabbit is scratching itself 24/7 then something is wrong and you will have to inspect the fur right away.
Just assuming the problem will go away on its own is the wrong approach to take. You are going to end up seeing the rabbit get agitated and confused.
Take the time to consult with a vet, if you are unsure about why a rabbit is scratching itself so much.
Here are a few more articles on rabbits – headbutting by rabbits, noises made by mother rabbits during birth, mother rabbit walking on babies, and proven anti-chew spray for rabbits.