Gentle Grooming for Small Animals
At Redbeck, we understand that grooming is more than just appearance—it’s about health, comfort, and trust. Our gentle grooming services cater to rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals, ensuring they feel safe and cared for throughout the process.
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Rabbit Grooming
- Tidy Up (Single Session) – £14.00
- De-matting (Single Session) – £20.00
- Long-Haired/Severe Matting (Single Session) – £32.00
- Claw Clipping (Single Session) – £8.00
Grooming
- Tidy Up (Single Session) – £14.00
- De-matting (Single Session) – £20.00
- Bathing (Single Session) – £25.00
- Claw Clipping (Single Session) – £8.00
At Redbeck, we do offer bathing for guinea pigs when needed—particularly for longhaired breeds or in cases of soiling. But we never bathe rabbits. Their fur takes a long time to dry and can easily become waterlogged, risking hypothermia or skin infections. More importantly, the stress of bathing can trigger shock in rabbits, which can be fatal. Instead, we use dry grooming techniques, gentle cleaning around the vent, and targeted spot care to keep rabbits fresh and healthy—without putting them at risk.
“In rare cases, where an animal is severely matted or showing signs of distress, we may recommend referral to a veterinary professional. If sedation or medical intervention is needed, it’s important that it’s done safely, with the animal’s welfare as the top priority.“
Mat Removal, We avoid scissors where possible—delicate rabbit skin is easily cut. Instead, we use mat splitters, wide-tooth combs, or gentle hand-teasing. Sessions include regular breaks to reduce stress.
Shaving (Only When Necessary), If mats become too dense or form sheets, shaving may be the only safe option. This is always done with care, using appropriate tools and calm handling.
Eye Cleaning, Fur or hay near the eyes can cause irritation or infection. We gently clean the area using moistened cotton balls, and use small tools like mascara brushes or flea combs to keep fur clear.
Ear Cleaning, Outer ear wax and debris are removed carefully using cotton swabs. Lop-eared breeds are prone to moisture build-up, so special care is taken to keep ears dry and clean.
Nail Trimming, Nails are trimmed to a safe length to prevent curling, snags, or tearing. We avoid cutting the quick and use styptic powder if needed. Regular trims help the quick recede over time.
Basic Hygiene Check, We check for urine or faecal soiling underneath the rabbit. Urine scald is cleaned gently and treated with a rabbit-safe cream if needed.
Moulting Management, Rabbits moult multiple times a year. Some shed slowly over weeks, others rapidly in days. Regular grooming during moults prevents fur build-up and potential gut issues from over-ingestion.
Foot Checks, Pads are inspected for wear, injury, or matting. Worn fur can expose delicate skin to urine scald or infection. Mats are removed with care, preserving healthy foot padding.
Scent Gland Cleaning, The genital scent glands are cleaned gently using mineral oil and cotton buds. Hardened build-up is removed carefully to prevent discomfort or infection.
Impaction Relief & Cleaning, If impacted stools are found around the vent area, we carefully soften and remove the material using warm, damp cotton pads. This helps prevent flystrike, discomfort, and skin irritation—especially in older or longhaired animals.
Vent Cleaning (Rabbits & Guinea Pigs), We check and clean the vent area, especially in longhaired or older animals where hygiene can be difficult to maintain.