Grooming small pets
Small pets groom themselves constantly, but that does not cover everything, especially in long-haired breeds or during a heavy moult. The short answer: a soft brush suited to the coat type handles most routine grooming, nail trims need doing regularly on animals that do not wear them down naturally, and matted or soiled fur around the rear end needs checking rather than ignoring.
Brushing by coat type
Short-haired rabbits and guinea pigs need only light, occasional brushing to remove loose fur, mainly useful during a seasonal moult when the amount of fur they shed increases noticeably. Long-haired breeds, Angora rabbits and guinea pigs among them, need daily brushing to prevent matting, since their coat will tangle and pull at the skin if left too long between sessions.
A soft slicker brush or a wide-tooth comb both work, and starting grooming sessions young, kept short and calm, makes a small pet far more tolerant of being handled for it as an adult than trying to introduce brushing to a nervous adult animal for the first time.
Nails and hygiene checks
Small pets kept mostly on soft bedding do not wear their nails down the way one running on rough ground outdoors would, so regular trims are usually needed rather than optional. If you are not confident doing this yourself, a vet or an experienced groomer can show you how, or do it for you.
Check around the rear end regularly, particularly on long-haired rabbits, for soiled or matted fur, which can attract flies in warm weather and lead to a serious condition called flystrike. This is worth checking daily in summer rather than waiting for a routine grooming session to notice it.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Wahl Pet Grooming Scissors with Finger Rest
Stainless steel finishing scissors with ergonomic offset handles — perfect for tidying around eyes, ears, mouth, and paws.
£5.49
Pet Remedy 3-Step Calming Grooming Kit (3 x 300ml)
A complete three-product grooming routine — Pre-Wash, Shampoo, and Leave-in Conditioner — designed to help anxious pets through bath time.
£38.99
Disposable Pet Grooming Wipe Gloves
Glove-shaped wet wipes that freshen your pet's coat and paws between baths, no water needed.
£7.99
Bugalugs 2-in-1 Double-Sided Grooming Brush
One brush with two sides — soft nylon bristles for smoothing and a pin side for detangling — works on short and long coats, dogs and cats.
£9.49
Common questions
- How often do rabbits need grooming?
- Short-haired rabbits need only light, occasional brushing, mainly during a seasonal moult. Long-haired breeds like Angoras need daily brushing to prevent matting, since their coat tangles quickly if left, and a build-up of mats close to the skin can become genuinely uncomfortable for the rabbit.
- Can I trim my rabbit or guinea pig's nails myself?
- Many owners do, once shown how to avoid the quick — the blood vessel inside the nail — but it is worth asking a vet or experienced groomer to demonstrate first if you have not done it before. Trimming too short can cause bleeding and pain, so go carefully rather than rushing.
- What is flystrike and why does grooming matter for it?
- Flystrike happens when flies lay eggs in soiled or matted fur, usually around a rabbit's rear end, and the hatched maggots can cause serious harm very quickly. Checking and keeping that area clean, especially in warm weather, is one of the most important grooming habits a rabbit owner can keep.
- My guinea pig's fur is matted near the bottom — what should I do?
- Gently trim away small mats with blunt-tipped scissors if they are minor, working carefully to avoid the skin, but see a vet if the area looks sore, soiled or the mats are extensive, since matted fur there can be linked to flystrike risk or an underlying health issue.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.