Rabbits shampoos are fur or coat cleaning and care products specially designed for bunnies and other animals with similar delicate skins. Although you are not supposed to bathe your bunnies, some situations may call for dry, spot, and butt bathing.
In such cases, shampoos will help in removing dirt clumps and unwanted buildup without stripping away the essential natural oils that form a protective layer on your rabbit’s delicate skin.
A clean bunny is healthier, cuddlier, and happy. Furthermore, no one wants to be near a stinking, mattered, and soiled bunny. Did you know that oiling put this pet at risk of flystrike and skin infections?
What to look for in a bunny shampoo
Some of the properties to look for in a good shampoo for rabbits and other similar smaller animals include the following:
- A good rabbit bath shampoo should be bunny-safe, have few additives and be free of harsh ingredients that will irritate your rabbit’s skin. An all-natural brand will be the best.
- It should be cruelty-free, organic, and environmental-friendly.
- It should have some skin conditioning and soothing emollients.
- It should not have plant extracts used in the making or contained in some insecticides such as pyrethrin as they are toxic to these pets.
- It should not have any other harsh ingredient that may irritate or affect your bunny’s skin or health.
Human and other animal shampoos
Most humans and some cats, pigs, horses, cows, and dog shampoos may be harmful to rabbits unless indicated safe to these animals. This list includes those for babies, for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic brands, and so on. Do not use them unless your vet okays their use.
Best rabbit safe shampoo
Are you looking for the best shampoos for rabbits, i.e., those that are safe for these pets and other similar small animals, especially hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and so on? Here are the top brands:
1. Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter Dry Shampoo
Kaytee Quick and Clean is a dry shampoo for rabbits that other small pets like hamsters, hedgehog, guinea pigs, and so. It features a mild leave-in formulation that will not irritate your pet’s skin.
Additionally, Kaytee Quick and Clean has a great, long-lasting scent that resembles that one of baby powder that deodorizes any lousy odor leaving your furry friend with a fresh scent.
Besides deodorizing your rabbit, it will also dissolve excess oil and loosen dirt.
Spray it onto your soiled animal and gently massage it into its coat and wipe it off after some time. You do not have to deal with the time-consuming and tedious process of bunny bathing and drying.
Most of its users are happy about its no-rinse formula, i.e., you do not need to bath your bunnies, its great scent, and low price.
Finally, it comes in a 6 oz spray pump bottle, making it easy to use, and it is pet-safe with an A2LA Accreditation. However, human beings should not use it. Also, keep it away from your children.
2. Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo
The Squeaky Clean Critter is another great Kaytee shampoo that is highly rated by so many users. It is also a dry shampoo for rabbits whose scent resembles its counterpart, the Kaytee Quick & Clean Critter that will remove all the dirt, grime, and excess oils.
This brand is pH-balanced, will not irritate your pet’s eye (tearless), and will leave a soft, conditioned, shiny, healthy, and fresh smelling coat.
You no longer need to struggle with that awful scent that your pet has, and it is a perfect deodorizer too.
Apart from the few have noted that its scent is a little stronger, most people love it, especially for their guinea pigs and bunnies.
3. Arm & Hammer Tearless Shampoo and Deodorizing Spray for Small Animals
If you need a mild shampoo that will deeply clean and nourish ferret, rabbit, guinea pig, and other small animals’ skin, the Arm & Hammer brand is a must-have.
Its pH is balanced and has a tearless formulation that will clean and deodorize your pet, leaving it smelling fresh. Also, it has many ingredients, including baking soda.
If you intend to buy it, ensure you know how to bathe your pet. All you need to do is wet your bunny’s coat, spray a small amount of this shampoo, work it to lather, massage it gently into your pet’s skin for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing your animals. You can then dry their coat after combing it with the right brush.
While it is quite useful and will ensure a clean, fresh-smelling animal, you deserve to know that bunnies do not like being soaked in water as this may severely stress them.
4. Odie and Cody Natural Dog Shampoo
Do not be confused by its name to assume it is only a dog shampoo. No. This organic shampoo is also suitable for puppies, cats, kittens, guinea pigs, bunnies, and other animals.
Why is it a good brand? Firstly, it is hypoallergenic, will not sting, burn, or cause itchiness to your pets. Furthermore, it has no synthetic, artificial, or harmful chemicals such as colorants, fragrances, alcohols, sulfates, and so on. All its ingredients are biodegradable and gluten-free, and they include organic oils, rosemary extract, aloe vera, and essential oils.
Secondly, besides cleaning and deodorizing your pets with its mild fresh lemongrass scent, it will also moisturize and soothe their dry skin leaving your pets with an odorless moisturized skin. Also, it will relieve any allergies.
Last but not least, while it foams less, this shampoo is concentrated and does not have any filers. It will serve you for a long time and can also be used on baby pets, making it a great choice if you know how to bathe them correctly.
Finally, most people are happy about its gentle formation, and it is easy to use and rinse. Furthermore, it provides a moisturizing effect and has hypoallergenic organic ingredients.
5. SofiesSecret 100% Natural Organic Pet Shampoo
If you require a pet shampoo that is vegan, cruelty-free, tear-free, free of artificial fragrances, hypoallergenic, and all-natural, SofiesSecret is a perfect brand to buy. The manufacturer uses only natural extracts to scent it. Furthermore, it is also environmentally friendly.
Some of the extracts it has include lavender, aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, and ginkgo biloba leaf, which are useful in soothing, conditioning your pet’s coat and their skin. Did you know that these botanical extracts have antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial properties, and will soothe irritated skin? Now you do!
Not to overemphasis, SofiesSecret is suitable for both baby and adult pets such as your rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and other pets, and it is safe for daily use where necessary. Your pet’s coat will be thoroughly clean, soft, and smooth with an aloe scent.
To use it, wet their coat, apply the shampoo, work it into their fur for a few minutes, thoroughly rinse, comb and dry them.
Finally, users have applauded this shampoo for being gentle on sensitive skin, helping fight allergies, and its mild scent.
6. Dry Shampoo No Rinse Foaming Cleaner – Waterless Natural Foam Mousse
This Bodhi Dog waterless natural foam mousse is dry shampoo recommended for those who don’t want to bathe their pets, i.e., it has a waterless foaming formulation that does not require rinsing.
Why is it a must-have? Firstly, it will instantly get rid of any foul smell and itchiness. Also, you can use it for spot clean or bathe bunny’s whole body.
Secondly, it is more effective than rabbit wipes, and ideal for sensitive skin owing to its soothing ingredients that include oatmeal and coconut.
Thirdly, this hypoallergenic, gentle, all-natural foam spray shampoo has no alcohol, detergents, parabens, SLS, or anything toxic to your pets, and it is safe to your hands. You can use it on your rabbits, dogs, puppies, kitten, guinea pigs, ferrets, and horses, including their young ones and for all types of fur.
To use it, shield their eyes and put some amount on your palm and massage it into your soiled pet’s fur either on the affected spot or their whole body. Let it stay in place for about a minute and wipe it off using a soft towel. A clean piece of cloth or a paper towel will also work well.
Afterward, brush your pet for a clean, soft, and shiny coat with a mild light apple fresh scent. It will also help in detangling any clumped fur, is suitable for in-between baths, will get rid of any persistent pet odor bedding, upholstery, car interiors, and so on.
7. Mad About Organics Cat Oatmeal Shampoo
The Mad about Organics Cat Oatmeal Shampoo with a balanced pH is suitable for cat, ferrets as well as other small pets aged above four months. It is a mild, hypoallergenic product with vanilla and lavender scents.
Besides cleaning their coat, it will soothe any irritating skin conditions, moisturizers their skin during dry winters, and it does not have synthetic fragrances, detergents, colorants, and any other animal-based or petroleum-based ingredients.
Finally, it is safe for your hands. All you are supposed to do is bathe your pet following the right steps.
8. Beaphar Small Pet Ferret and Rat Shampoo
The Beaphar Small Pet Ferret and Rat Shampoo is a mild shampoo that will clean and condition your pet’s coat leaving their natural oils intact and a sweet long-lasting pine scent.
You can use it frequently during summer, and it is an excellent option if you intend to quickly identify your pet during shows as it has a unique scent.
9. Citrus Magic Foaming Pet Cleanser
This 8 oz foaming cleansing shampoo has a gentle formulation making it idea for rabbits, hamsters, kitten, and ferrets, which are ordinarily hard to bathe.
It is fragrance-free, has vegetable enzymes, and will effectively clean and deodorize your pet, especially in-between baths.
Finally, this shampoo’s foaming pump makes it easy to use. You need to work the foam into your pet’s coat and wipe any excess off.
10. Espree Natural Hypo-Allergenic and Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner
The Espree Natural Hypo-Allergenic and Luxury Shampoo and conditioner for sensitive dogs and cats can also be used on small pets with sensitive skin, including your puppies, kitten, rabbits, and other small animals.
It is gentle, tearless, anti-allergic, and all-natural with aloe vera, jojoba, and mild cleansers based on a coconut that will not only perfectly clean but also condition the skin and coat of your pet.
11. Bodhi Dog All Natural Anti Itch Oatmeal Spray or Shampoo
This hypoallergenic shampoo will soothe, moisturize, and heal dry, itchy, or bitten skin. It will also improve their skin in case allergies have damaged it. You can use it on your rabbits, dogs, cats, ferrets of all ages, including kittens and puppies.
Its ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin A, D, and E, proteins, and fruit extracts will calm and cool any damaged skin while baking soda and oatmeal will soothe the skin if it is irritated.
It is also antimicrobial (it fights against bacteria and fungi) as well as antioxidants, making it very beneficial to these pets’ skins.
Furthermore, it is free of alcohol, parabens, or detergents that may strip your pet’s natural skin oils, and it has a light scent from apple extracts.
Finally, besides cleaning and deodorizing your animal’s coat, it will get rid of any dandruff and pet dander. Diehard users love it because it is easy to use, has a great scent, it is soft, and has a moisturizing ability. Try it and get real value for your money.
Where to buy them?
Begin by searching for any of the above bunny bath shampoos in your local pet store. We are confident you will get at least one or two.
Alternatively, look for them at Walmart, eBay, Petco, Chewy, PetSmart, among other locations. We have given you a few links to Amazon, where you can also buy these products online.
Rabbit homemade shampoo
With all the right ingredients, it is possible to make a bunny-safe shampoo at home. Mom.me has an excellent way to make a chemical-free and safe shampoo that will not leave your pet’s skin dry, irritated, flaky, or damaged.