A unique mobile rabbit grooming business is helping rabbit owners across Andover and the surrounding areas keep their pets healthy, comfortable and stress-free — all from the comfort of their own homes.
Bunny Blossom Grooming was launched by Grace Mawhood and her partner Scott after noticing a growing demand for specialist rabbit grooming services through their other business, Pippins Pet Services.
Grace explained that the idea for the business came after customers repeatedly asked if she could recommend a rabbit groomer.
“We decided to start Bunny Blossom back in December after many queries from clients through my other business, Pippins Pet Services, asking for rabbit grooming services,” she said.
“I was looking for someone to refer them to as I didn’t currently offer this as a service, and after hours of research realised there really aren’t many around.”
Grace said many rabbit owners also struggled with the stress caused by travelling to appointments.
“I also had lots of customers saying they hated travelling to groomers as the carrier and car journey caused lots of stress for their rabbits, and stress can cause very harmful illnesses in rabbits that can be fatal.”
After carrying out extensive research and completing additional rabbit care courses, Grace and Scott decided to launch the business themselves.
“I completed lots of additional rabbit care courses on top of the five years of experience with rabbits I already had, including working in a rescue setting and caring for many rabbits through Pippins, and my partner Scott and I started the business together.”
The mobile service was specifically designed to reduce stress for rabbits by grooming them in familiar surroundings.
“We chose to be a mobile rabbit grooming business to cut out one of the main causes of stress when getting rabbits groomed — travelling,” Grace explained.
“I have fostered, owned and cared for rabbits for years and have never met one that does not get stressed in the car or in new environments.”
She added: “Rabbits are prey animals and can get scared and stressed very easily, which can lead to GI stasis — a life-threatening but unfortunately very common emergency where the rabbit’s digestive system slows or stops completely.”
“This is why our mobile service is different. The rabbits are calm and content in their own space. No carriers, car journeys or new environments are involved and we go at the rabbit’s pace to keep stress to a minimum.”
Bunny Blossom Grooming offers a range of services including full grooms, mat removal, nail trims, ear cleans, rear-end tidies and desensitisation work for anxious rabbits. The business also provides rabbit pop-ins, pet sitting, workshops and rabbit care advice.
Grace believes many rabbit owners are unaware just how important regular grooming can be.
“Rabbit grooming is important for many reasons and a lot of rabbit owners don’t realise quite how necessary and beneficial it is,” she said.
“Loose fur can cause blockages in a rabbit’s digestive system leading to much harsher illnesses. Removing loose fur helps to prevent this and can also prevent matting.”
She explained that mats can become extremely painful and even restrict a rabbit’s movement.
“Mats can cause pain and discomfort and can even reduce movement due to them pulling on the skin,” Grace said.
“Movement is crucial as it keeps their gut moving, reducing the risk of GI stasis and other digestive upset.”
Grace also warned that rabbits are extremely good at hiding pain, meaning problems can often go unnoticed until they become serious.
“Rabbits are prey animals, so they’re incredibly good at hiding pain meaning regular checks are vital.”
Throughout her years working with rabbits, Grace says she has seen some heartbreaking cases that could have been prevented with regular grooming and education.
“I have seen rabbits so severely matted they can’t move, rabbits with severe fly strike, abscesses and skin problems that simply haven’t been spotted, nails so long they’ve twisted and much more,” she said.
“This is the reality for many rabbits as there just isn’t enough information out there to help rabbits and their owners know what to do.”
Alongside grooming, Bunny Blossom also supports owners with enrichment ideas, litter training, housing advice, dietary recommendations and even training rabbits to do tricks.
Grace said: “Our most memorable story would be all combined — getting to help these amazing animals and their owners thrive.”
For rabbit owners who may be unsure where to start, Grace encourages people to simply reach out and ask questions.
“We won’t judge, just listen,” she said.
“We are more aware than ever that there isn’t enough information and help for rabbit owners, so the first step is to reach out.”
Rabbit owners wanting to find out more or book a service can contact Bunny Blossom Grooming via Facebook at “@bunnyblossomgrooming” or by calling 07535 906141.