Show Rabbits 101

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Updated:  October 8th, 2022
chrisbrignell/Shutterstock

We all know that dogs are one of the most popular show pets – groomed to perfection and judged both on their appearance and physical prowess. But did you know that the rabbit is another popular show pet? That’s right, show rabbits hold a special place in professional competitions. Most beginner rabbit owners never even suspect that their pet can win over a host of judges – especially if it is a special breed. Who knows, perhaps your fluffy pet has all the needed attributes to become a champion? But before you and your pet go on winning medals, here is what you need to know about show rabbits.


Why Show Your Rabbit?


Some rabbit owners might be questioning the purpose of these exhibitions, so let’s try and answer this question – why show your rabbit in the first place? Rabbit shows are a great way to enter a world of like-minded rabbit enthusiasts. Not only will you get to meet other rabbit lovers, but you can also learn a lot about raising your rabbit right, from the first-hand experience of seasoned owners. Exchange your experiences with other breeders, and learn the tips and tricks of breeding, molting, grooming, behavior, diet, and many other aspects of rabbit care. Winning is only a bonus – you need only participate to have all the fun!


What Is a Show Rabbit? 


To enter one of these competitions, your rabbit needs to have “show qualities” to begin with. In simplest terms, this means that your bunny needs to be as close to “genetic perfection” as possible. If you have a superb and pretty rabbit specimen, they might just be a champion stock! In competition terms, a show quality rabbit is one that does not have any non-genetic or genetic disqualifications. So, any slight imperfections that your rabbit might have, can potentially ruin their chances in a competition. Crooked legs, discoloration, obesity, abnormalities, imperfect tail, eye discoloration, and similar “imperfections” are enough to categorize your bunny as a non-show rabbit. 


But that is not all. Show rabbits need to belong to one of the ARBA-recognized rabbit breeds. There are numerous special rabbit breeds that are on the ARBA list, and most of them are unique in their appearance, and often hard to acquire. Some of these breeds are American Rabbit, English Lop, Dwarf Papillon, Checkered Giant, Giant Angora, Lionhead, Silver Marten, and many others – currently, 50 rabbit breeds are recognized by this organization. So, before you try and enter the lists, check out your bunny’s pedigree and their breed’s standard.


How to Show Rabbits 


So, you made it to the exhibition. You made sure your rabbit is socialized, used to handling, healthy, and recognized by the ARBA. But how do you show your rabbit properly? First, you will want them to be cleaned properly – from head to toe. Clip their toenails too, and clean any dirt spots you see. Groom them at home, and brush them gently just before the judging show. You’ll want their fur smooth and presentable (depending on the breed). Of course, you will want to give your bunny plenty of water before the show starts, and to make sure they are accustomed to being handled. When the judge appears, pose your rabbit as instructed by the judge. The usual pose has to have eyes and front legs aligned, and hind legs and hips also. The tail also needs to be shown. Once the judge is finished, place your bunny back in its enclosure, as to avoid confusion during the judging process. And keep your fingers crossed – maybe you’re going home with a medal! 


WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Not only is this a comforting and enjoyable experience, but it can also have some significant benefits, including removing dead skin, improving circulation, relieving muscle tension, and more.Comfort for the GroomerWhile most of this list focuses on the benefits grooming gloves offer your pet, it’s also a more comfortable solution for you. Holding a brush or comb for an extended time, regardless of how the handle is designed, will eventually lead to cramping in your hand. Wearing a grooming glove allows you to work through a long grooming session with minimal discomfort.How to Use a Pet Grooming GloveWhether you’re interested in experimenting with grooming gloves or making the switch, the first step is finding a pair that suits both you and your dog.Sizing: Most companies offer gloves in various sizes, accommodating pet parents of all sizes and ages, including “junior” or children’s sizes if your grooming routine involves the whole family. If you are shopping in person, take the time to try on different sizes to ensure you are purchasing the one that best suits your hand. For those shopping online, carefully measure your hand as outlined in the sizing guide to find the recommended size.Glove vs Mitt: There is no “right” answer as to whether you should purchase a grooming glove or a mitt. This comes down to personal preference. Gloves will allow you to maintain the use of your fingers, while a mitt can cover a wider surface area.Bristle Style: The most common grooming gloves are made with soft rubber nubs, more like a curry comb than a brush. However, there are other styles on the market. Take the time to explore your options and find the style that best suits your pet’s coat type.Once you have found the right glove, learning how to use them is simple.Spray the silicone or rubber surface of the glove with a bit of water before getting started. This will help collect the fur and dirt instead of letting it fall all over. Place your hand, palm down, on your pet’s coat and gently rub in the direction of their hair growth. Continue with this brushing motion around the body.When you notice that the hair has started to collect in the glove, carefully peel the fur off and dispose of it. Spray the glove before starting again. Continue until you’re happy with the state of your pet’s coat (or until they become agitated and clearly need a break).Is it bathtime in your house? You can also use a grooming glove in the bath to help work the soap into your pet’s coat. This also offers a layer of protection on your hands for those bathing pets that maybe aren’t as happy with the idea of getting wet. Cat parents, I’m looking at you…How to Clean Grooming GlovesOne of the reasons that pet grooming gloves are so popular is the ease of cleaning. Once you have removed the collected fur from the gloves, they can be rinsed or cleaned with soap and water. Allow them to air dry.Remember that a quick rinse may not remove all the dirt and dander they have collected. It’s a quick solution between uses, but a complete clean is needed periodically to keep the gloves fresh and clean.Do Grooming Gloves Work for Cats?Yes! While most grooming gloves are marketed to dogs and dog parents, they are an excellent option for any pet with fur to maintain. I have seen them used for grooming dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, horses, and even llamas.

Pretty Plants that Will Stop Cats from Pooping in Your Garden

Whether you own a cat or neighboring felines like to frequent your backyard, chances are you have come across half-buried cat poop in your flower beds. Cat lover or not, you probably weren’t thrilled to discover these unsightly deposits in your garden.Although cat poop won’t harm your garden, it also won’t add much to the overall appeal of it either, especially if the cats decide to dig their own toilets in the middle of your flower patch. In addition to preserving the aesthetics of your garden, there are several other reasons you may want to stop cats from pooping in your backyard. Keeping cats away will ensure the garden stays clean and safe for young children to play in. Plus, it will help protect wild birds that visit your garden, especially if you have a bird feeder or two.Besides being unsightly, cat poop in the garden can carry a parasite, called Toxoplasma gondii, which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and unborn babies. For this reason, it’s super important that you wear gloves when you clean cat poop from your garden. As an added precaution against nasty infections, always use gloves when gardening.Are you sick and tired of cats using your garden as their personal toilet? There are several things you can do to preserve your outdoor oasis that don’t include the use of cruel booby-traps or startling devices.All you have to do is buy the right plant - one that cats hate but will look great in your garden. Although technically a weed, the curry plant is one of the best plants to deter cats from pooping in your garden. Scientifically known as Helichrysum italicum, the curry plant is a small, bushy evergreen shrub with linear-shaped silver-gray leaves. The leaves have a strong odor, reminiscent of curry, that acts as a potent cat deterrent. When a cat brushes against a curry plant, its leaves release a strong odor that attacks a cat’s sense of smell. Plus, the curry plant also has a coarse texture that cats hate. Many gardeners agree that curry plants act as excellent cat deterrents saying that cats stopped pooping in their gardens after they planted curry plants. Since the curry plant is essentially a weed, plant it sparingly so it won’t spread and take up too much space. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to plant curry plants in your garden, plant lavender instead. A popular ornamental plant, lavender has pretty purple flowers and a delicate and sweet smell with herbal undertones. It’s that delicate smell that will help keep cats away from your garden!Cats have more than 200 million odor sensors in their noses and anything that emits a strong smell, like lavender, will be off-putting. Luckily, lavender is easy to grow and you can plant it in any part of your garden or containers. This gives you the freedom to plant lavender exactly where the cats like to poop to deter them. Many cats also dislike the smell of rosemary, rue, pennyroyal, citronella, oregano, geraniums, lemon thyme, and coffee. Any of these plants can act as a natural barrier and discourage cats from entering your garden and using it as a toilet. Although there are other ways to deter cats from pooping in your backyard, planting plants is an entirely natural and non-toxic option that isn’t harmful to the cats or you. It’s also cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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