Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the United States, after dogs and cats. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey, an estimated 2.5 million American households keep pet rabbits. As rabbits continue hopping into more homes and hearts, rabbit owners are seeking the best products and services to keep their beloved bunnies healthy and looking good.
One question many new rabbit owners have is, "Where can I get my rabbit groomed?" They may naturally look to major pet store chains like Petco, which sells rabbits, rabbit food and supplies. However, rabbit owners are often surprised to find that Petco does not offer rabbit grooming at any of its 1,500 store locations as of 2023.
Why Doesn‘t Petco Groom Rabbits?
As a leader in the $23.4 billion pet retail and services industry, Petco offers a wide range of pet grooming options. Petco grooming salons handled 2 million dog and cat grooming appointments in 2021 alone. Yet no rabbits can hop up on the grooming table at Petco. Why is that?
Several key factors likely influenced Petco‘s decision not to offer rabbit grooming:
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Delicate skin and handling. Rabbits have thin, sensitive skin that tears easily. Groomers must take extreme caution to avoid nicking or pinching a rabbit‘s fragile skin. Rough brushing can cause bald patches. Even rabbits who enjoy being petted usually don‘t like being held on their back for grooming.
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More time and skill required. Grooming a rabbit takes a very gentle touch, adding significant time to the grooming process compared to dogs and cats. Groomers may spend 45-60 minutes on a single rabbit. Rabbits also get stressed more easily and may bite if handled incorrectly, requiring groomers with specialized rabbit behavior knowledge.
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Risk and liability of injuries. If a rabbit sustains an injury during grooming, such as a skin tear or broken tooth from struggling, Petco could be held responsible for the rabbit‘s vet bills and other damages. An inexperienced or impatient groomer could really hurt a rabbit. Petco may deem rabbit grooming too risky from a legal and public relations perspective.
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Lack of mass market demand. While rabbits are popular pets, the customer base seeking regular professional rabbit grooming is still relatively niche. Most rabbit owners are satisfied with DIY grooming at home. Petco likely determined that investing in rabbit-specific grooming equipment, facilities and training couldn‘t be offset by grooming appointment volume and revenue.
How Often Do Rabbits Need Grooming?
The House Rabbit Society, an expert organization dedicated to rabbit care education, recommends the following rabbit grooming schedule:
| Grooming Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 1-7 times per week (depending on fur length) |
| Nail trimming | Every 1-2 months |
| Ear cleaning | Weekly (more if prone to wax buildup) |
| Scent gland cleaning | As needed, usually every few months |
| Butt bath / sanitary trim | As needed to remove waste and matted fur |
Short-haired rabbits typically need brushing once a week, while long-haired angoras and floppy-eared breeds prone to ear infections may need daily grooming. Rabbits shed heavily several times per year, called molting, and need extra brushing during these periods to remove loose fur and prevent hairballs.
The most common professional rabbit grooming services requested are:
- Nail trims (48%)
- Mats and knot removal (23%)
- Cleaning genital scent glands (14%)
- Undercoat removal / de-shedding (12%)
- Sanitary butt bath and trim (7%)
- Ear wax cleaning (5%)
Source: House Rabbit Society 2019 Grooming Survey
Where Can I Get My Rabbit Professionally Groomed?
Although Petco doesn‘t offer rabbit grooming, rabbit owners still have several options for getting their bunny groomed by a professional:
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Local pet stores: Smaller, independent pet supply retailers may have a groomer on staff who accepts rabbits. While less common than dog and cat grooming, some groomers are experienced with small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
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Mobile groomers: Search for mobile pet grooming businesses in your area. Many offer at-home services in a van or trailer equipped with grooming stations and supplies. Mobile groomers often have more flexibility to spend extra time hand-scissoring a fussy rabbit in the comfort of the rabbit‘s home.
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Veterinary clinics: Some veterinary practices have a professional groomer on staff to handle grooming during or after vet appointments. Getting your rabbit groomed at the vet is an especially good choice for senior rabbits or those with health issues who may need extra monitoring and medical care.
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Professional groomers: Look for independent professional pet groomers in your area, ideally ones with experience or certification in grooming small and exotic pets like rabbits. Read reviews, ask your vet or other rabbit owners for recommendations. Many groomers work on small animals in addition to dogs and cats.
Here is a comparison of average rabbit grooming prices from different types of groomers:
| Grooming Service | Pet Store Salon | Mobile Groomer | Vet Clinic | Independent Groomer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nail trim only | $10-15 | $15-25 | $18-30 | $12-20 |
| Brush, trim & scent glands | $20-30 | $35-50 | $40-60 | $30-45 |
| Full groom with bath | $45-65 | $65-95 | $70-115 | $50-80 |
Sources: House Rabbit Society, Exotic Pet Grooming Magazine
Petco‘s Rabbit Grooming and Care Supplies
While you can‘t book your rabbit for a groom at Petco salons, you can find all the products you need to care for your rabbit‘s coat, nails, ears and skin at home. Petco sells a variety of brushes, nail clippers, shampoos and more designed just for rabbits, including:
- Small Pet Select Hair Buster Comb – to gently remove loose fur and prevent matting
- Kaytee Pro-Nail Trimmer for Small Animals – with safety guard to avoid over-cutting rabbit nails
- Exotic Nutrition Burgess Supa Small Animal Natural Nourishing Shampoo – mild, no-tear formula for small pets
- You & Me Small Pet Grooming Kit – includes grooming brush, nail trimmer, fur trimmer and undercoat de-matting tool
Petco‘s website and YouTube channel also feature detailed rabbit grooming guides and video tutorials to help owners feel more confident grooming their rabbits at home. With practice and patience, DIY rabbit grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience.
However, if you don‘t feel comfortable trimming your rabbit‘s nails or cleaning scent glands yourself, there‘s no shame in enlisting a professional rabbit groomer! Your rabbit will certainly appreciate an occasional spa day with an experienced pro.
Risks of Neglecting Rabbit Grooming
Regular grooming isn‘t just about keeping your bunny beautiful – it‘s also critical to their overall health and wellness. Rabbits who don‘t receive routine coat and nail care are at greater risk for developing painful and even life-threatening conditions, such as:
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Hairballs (wool block): When rabbits groom themselves, they ingest a lot of loose fur. While some hair passes through the digestive tract, too much can form a blockage in the stomach or intestines. Frequent brushing is the best way to minimize shedding and hairball risk.
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Sore hocks: When a rabbit‘s nails get too long, they can catch on carpet and cause the rabbit to trip or get stuck. The constant pressure and friction against overgrown nails can lead to painful, open sores on the bottoms of a rabbit‘s feet and hocks.
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Ear infections: Some lop-eared rabbit breeds like Holland Lops and Mini Lops are very prone to ear infections due to wax and moisture building up in their folded-over ears. Weekly ear cleanings with cotton swabs keeps infection-causing bacteria at bay.
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Flystrike: When a rabbit‘s genital area or bottom becomes matted with feces, urine and loose fur, it attracts flies that lay eggs in the dirty, moist fur. The hatching maggots then eat the rabbit‘s flesh, quickly causing open wounds, sepsis and even death if not treated immediately. Regular butt baths and sanitary trims are essential to preventing deadly flystrike.
Getting Your Rabbit Comfortable with Grooming
Many rabbits dislike being handled for grooming and may struggle, scratch or even nip their human servants. However, it is possible to train your rabbit to tolerate and even enjoy grooming with the following tips:
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Start young. The earlier you introduce your rabbit to positive grooming experiences, the more accepting they‘ll be of handling throughout their life. Begin gently massaging your rabbit‘s paws, ears and body for a few seconds at a time and gradually increase the duration.
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Make it a treat. Reward your rabbit with favorite treat foods like banana slices or a bit of apple before and after grooming sessions so they learn to associate grooming with yummy snacks and look forward to it.
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Take breaks. Rabbits can get overstimulated by too much petting and handling. Keep grooming sessions short at first, and give your rabbit a break every few minutes to hop around and relax. Slowly lengthen the grooming periods as your rabbit builds up tolerance.
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Go at your rabbit‘s pace. Never forcefully restrain your rabbit for grooming. A struggling rabbit can easily injure themselves or you. If your rabbit shows signs of distress like foot thumping or trying to escape, take a break and try again later. Let your rabbit set the pace.
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Stay calm. Rabbits pick up on our energy. If you‘re feeling nervous or frustrated during grooming, your rabbit will sense it and become agitated too. Take a deep breath, put on some soothing music and speak to your rabbit in a soft, reassuring voice. If you get stressed, stop and try again when you‘re feeling calmer.
For rabbit owners who want the best for their bunny but don‘t feel confident in their own rabbit grooming abilities, finding a skilled rabbit groomer is the way to go. Although Petco may not offer rabbit grooming services (yet), with a little research and asking around, you can find an experienced rabbit grooming professional to keep your furry friend feeling fabulous.
From providing the right grooming tools to publishing educational rabbit care content, Petco does support rabbit owners in their quest to be the best bunny butt groomers they can be. Who knows? As rabbit ownership continues to rise, the day may yet come when your local Petco salon expands its services menu to include a gentle mani-pedi just for rabbits. A bunny can dream!
