Rabbits with matted fur and 'dreadlocks'

[Parsley65]

We have two rabbit brothers who have free access in our small, safe garden and a series of tunnels and enclosures. They are very territorial and can be aggressive towards our cat if he is daft enough to regard them as prey!
We have noticed that they are looking a bit daggy around the rump of late and not sure what to do. They are happy to be stroked, but definitely not held, so how do we clean them without traumatising them?

You're going to have to be cruel to be kind. Use a table, or indeed a kitchen counter and possibly two people, one to stop the rabbit making a run for it and the other to do the cleaning. If they are longer furred types they may be better having the fur carefully snipped from that area - you can buy special scissors which are curved and blunt on the tips but always be careful not to go too close to their skin as their skin is fragile.

This definitely needs to be cleaned up ASAP and make sure there's not underlying health condition such as incontinence. If they're left wet in that area they are at risk of skin infections or flystrike, both which are life threatening if left untreated.

Thanks Bunny. That's really helpful.
I'll wait until the next dry/sunny day when I've got some reinforcements and we'll go to work...

Our large man eating rabbit was like this - we eventually ended up taking him to the vet who has a rabbit wrangling vet nurse. Little bugger lay in her arms while the vet shaved his bum. He had twice year bum shaving appointments as he was semi long hair.

Miss the large evil fluff ball.