Grooming Basics

Angora Housing Matters
With all that wool, this breed needs to be kept clean and dry as much as possible.

This is accomplished with proper housing.

Most prefer to use wire or mesh grid hutch, cage or litter box, as this keeps any bedding, urine and droppings free from the wool.

I like to incorporate a little bit of both with grid litter box and a pine pellet litter tote where it absorbs any soiling and the bedding doesn't make a mess of the wool. 

Outdoor Housing can have these litter set ups, although it takes a little more money, creativity and planning.

If you prefer to keep an Angora outdoors, the hutch should be kept off the ground, or use a garden shed, well lit garage or barn, Bunkie, sunroom , etc.  

There should be plenty of shade, a fan and ventilation in the summer months to keep cool and plastic transparent tarp to block bad weather from going into any exposed hutch area. 

Although, we still like to let our Angoras occasionally feel the earth beneath them and get fresh air, but always plan ahead to prepare dedicating some extra grooming time afterwards!

Diet Matters

English Angoras should be provided a nice blend of feed!

• Pellets, preferably 17% protein, as it takes a lot of energy to produce their fiber.

• Hay. Best kept in a hanging rack or a heavy mug for easy access and keeps from being tangled in the wool. 

• 1Tbs Black Sunflower seeds, promotes digestion and a healthy coat.

• Dried papaya, given a couple weekly. Helps prevent wool block.

• Apple sticks. Helps keep healthy teeth and allows to occupy that natural desire to chew.

• Herbs, plantain, dandelions, grass. We harvest these every season, dried in the sunlight for a few days and stored away for winter morsels!

• Plantain in particular is a natural remedy for building a strong immune system, which is helpful when showing rabbits!

• Fresh water at all times and vitamin drops.

Handy Tools 

Grooming supplies for Angoras can be a collection of various tools that are used for dog grooming.

• Comb with soft or round ends and swivel teeth. This is such a gentle comb, especially for those sensitive areas and the face.

•  Slicker brush. I prefer a small size slicker for regular brisk brushing, particularly to use around the "skirt".

• Pet Blow Dryer

• Bulb tip brush.

• Large slicker, for fiber collection.

• Scissors of various sizes. Small ones are my preference. 

• Nail clippers

• Blow dryer with cold setting OR a dog groom blower.

• Grooming table 

• Quick powder.

• Grooming apron. 

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How Often to Groom

• Some groom once a week, others daily or personally, I like to meet in the middle about 3 times a week average. Doing frequent but brief sessions give me the results I like and it depends on the wool quality and my rabbits seem to know what to expect and are calm throughout.

• Sessions are about 10 minutes  at a time or more when molting or up to an hour or more if clipping/harvesting.

• Blowing is best to do more often than brushing to keep as much fiber on the rabbit until you are ready to harvest.

• Sheering clippers if you plan to sheer vs pluck or trim. 

• Trim nails once a month.

• Brush the body, between the ears, legs and underside. Doing firm but gentle handling of the positions needed at short spurts but frequent enough, will ensure your Angora knows what to expect, making it easier and more enjoyable.

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Harvesting 

• Even if you do not plan to use the wool, you must harvest or clip it.

• An English Angora can produce up to 10-16 ounces of wool per year. 

• Angora wool is lighter but warmer and softer than sheep wool, although it is not water resistant. 

• They can keep their coat for at least 9 months but those who like to use the wool prefer to harvest first time at around 6 months, and preferably when molting times after that. Which is generally every 3 months. 

• Clipping or sheering, it is personal preference! The wool will grow back evenly and same length regardless but sheering can be a faster process. 

• Some prefer to keep theirs in a puppy cut, for less maintenance. 

•  Store the wool in a plastic zip bloc, label and date it. Some like to keep moth ball or herbs like mint, in it to deter pests.

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Last, but not Least, The Concerns 

Not many seem want to discuss and acknowledge the two things that I believe should be talked about more, so you are prepared ahead of time should these situations arise..

It does not mean your Angora is unkept or from ill-treatment!

Even the most cared for Angoras can suffer from the common issues or risks of wool block and "dandruff" wool mites. 

Although, it is crucial to know how to recognize these possible issues and to treat immediately for a better chance of recovery and learn the preventions to reduce the risks. 

Wool Block

This is a potentially fatal condition. It is a mass of wool caught in the digestive system, similar to a cats hairball, except rabbits cannot regurgitate. It compounds when they groom loose fibers and the wool makes them feel full so they may not eat enough or at all.

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• Signs: Less droppings, smaller in size or none at all. Reduced drinking and not finishing food. 

• It is highly recommended to sheer or clip an Angora suffering from wool block, so they do not further ingest more when grooming.

• REMOVE pellets, as they will make wool block worse.

• Give fresh hay, up to 5 papaya enzymes or a piece of fresh pineapple. 

• Tablespoon of cats hairball remedy.

• Continue treatment and once they pass the blockage, gradually give pellets in small amounts when you notice your rabbit has been eating hay and drinking. 

• PREVENTION TIPS: I give dried papaya treats weekly, grooming upkeep, variety of timothy hay, orchard hay and occasionally straw. I have not personally experienced wool block as of yet, but I have had to treat one of our senior rescue rabbits for tooth spurs causing GI stasis. I always have a "rabbit emergency kit" on hand.

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"Walking Dandruff": Wool Mites

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Well this issue isn't life threatening but more of a nuisance, for you and your Angora!

It can happen to anyone, sometimes it comes from a batch of hay or straw and the Angora wool is a paradise for this pest! They thrive on their skin and they will lay eggs, even in the hutch, cage or room areas. It is important to be attentive to this as soon as you see signs before it becomes an infestation!

• Signs of wool mites: visible dandruff of tiny white flakes, close to the skin, usually starts by the ears, shoulders or the tail area. These nesting areas will cause matting. Your Angora will become very itchy and uncomfortable and may cause sores from over itching. 

Wool mite Treatment:

• Injectable Ivermectin given orally, 3cc in a small syringe, and a second dose 10 days later. Third dose another 10 days later, then once monthly.

• You must quarantine the infected rabbit to prevent any other rabbits getting it-although still best to treat all rabbits.   

• Thoroughly disinfect the cage and room with vinegar solution. Dry and apply Diatomaceous Earth in your rabbits area, make sure you and your rabbit do not breathe the dust in. Repeat every few days and spot clean soiled areas.

• You may need to sheer your Angora then apply DD on its body, cover the face to not breathe it in. It will suffocate the mites. 

• It is possible to treat wool mites keeping the Angoras coat long, but it is a lot more work, so it is up to you! You will need to blow and comb out as much mites as possible then part the wool. Get diatomaceous earth that is in a bottle with the narrow nose so it can reach past the wool and applied to infested spots as well as apply delicately around the body. Get close to the skin parting the wool as much as possible. Repeat this groom every few days. It is generally a month or two process to clear this up. Results will take effect the sooner you start.

• Be sure to wash and change clothing and use separate grooming tools if you have other rabbits. 

• If the condition worsens and ongoing, seek further vet care and advice.

Prevention

• Ivermectin 3cc once a month.

• DD lightly applied at the base of litter box where soiled areas are common. 

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