It was time to tackle Katie’s coat again but this time I was armed with my new equipment, a paddle brush & a rotating pin comb.

I must admit I was worried the paddle brush was a little on the big side but actually when brushing her coat that hadn’t been cut it is ok.  The paddle brush is used to brush the top layer of the coat & it helps remove any hay, shredded paper or anything else that has been hoovered up by her coat.  Once you get the hang of it, it works well. I also brushed against the flow of the coat.

The rotating pin comb was actually a revelation.  It doesn’t pull the skin as much as a standard comb & I was able to get a lot of fur out including a few knots.  I was able to really test this comb on Toffee as his fur is very much like an Angoras, (his dad was an Angora apparently). I was able to get through his coat in half the time & get through his fur so much better.  I noticed he was a lot more relaxed with it all too.
As for Katie she protested at every session.  I didn’t want to stress her out too much but then again I had to get her coat combed. Our current routine is she has a grooming session every two days & when anybody strokes her head I ask they stroke her back too.  This way she is getting used to being touched with no brush or comb about. We are a few weeks into this routine now & it is slowly working.  She is good enough I can groom her back & flanks but the chest area & underneath is the next challenge. I have made headway with the chest area but she it terrible at wanting to look at the comb or scissors all the time. Her underneath is the biggest challenge as she is going ballistic every time I try to sit her up. I think I have to find a correct seating position for me & one that she feels secure in. All the videos I have watched, all their bunnies have been having a grooming session since they were babies so are well accustomed to it unlike Katie, which does make it more difficult.

Giving Katie a treat during & after the grooming sessions does make a difference to her stress levels, they greatly reduce once she is concentrating on her treat. Fortunately, she is a lovely natured bunny.  My plan is to keep going with the grooming every two days & experiment with what she feels safe with for me to get to her underneath.  I am also researching shavers, I did have a go with a pet shaver but the guards provided meant I couldn’t get through the wool & I am a bit hesitant to use without a guard as Angora rabbit skin is particularly thin & doesn’t take much to break. Fingers crossed we get into a routine that works well for both of us.