How to Build a Rabbit Grooming Table

Rabbit grooming tables make caring for your rabbit much easier, with all of your tools in one handy place, letting you positioning the animal where you can keep your hands on it, without breaking your back. This tutorial on grooming table building will leave you with a stable place to care for your rabbit, and keep a nice appearance while on the show floor as well.

First, gather the necessary tools and clear and area to work in. Begin by cutting the wood for the bottom of the grooming table box. This is the box that will hold the rabbit and sit on top of the legs. A good size is two feet by two feet. This allows enough room for equipment and larger rabbits. Roughly sand the edges once the two by two square is cut.

The sides of the box can be simply plain trim wood or, for a more decorative piece, engraved trim pieces can be purchased in a variety of designs. To cut the trim for the sides of the box, use a mitre saw for a more finished, angled corners. If you are not using power tools, the use of a mitre box and hand saw can accomplish this same technique. Cut each side (four) to two feet long to go around the sides of the bottom piece of lumber. Attach the trim with finish nails using a hammer or nail gun.

With the top of the grooming table complete, it is time to start on the legs. The legs should be made with lumber no smaller than 1x2. The length these pieces should be cut to depends on the size of the rabbit lover that will be using the table. Most generally, 36 inches is a good height for adults and 28 to 32 inches is a great youth size. You will need two legs for each side of the grooming table. On each end of the leg pieces, cut at a 45 degree angle using the mitre saw or box. This will allow the legs to sit firmly on the floor.

Attach the legs to each other on the left and right side of the table by crossing them into an X pattern and nailing or screwing together. This will allow them to be folded up, but also creates a more sturdy table. Above the nails or screws attach a decorative chain to each leg, making sure it is pulled taunt when the legs are extended as far as you would like. Next, using the same type of lumber used for the legs, attach a piece of lumber across the front and back, attaching the two sets of legs. This adds stability to the table once together.

Next, to attach your grooming box to the legs, place a square of Velcro, sticky side down to the top of each leg. Measure the bottom of the grooming box, and place the other half of the Velcro to the underside of the grooming table to connect the box to the legs. Being able to take the two pieces apart and fold the legs is best when travelling to shows.

The last step to building your new grooming table is to finish the wood. You can stain, paint or simply apply a polyurethane to the wood to protect it from moisture and other elements. Finally, lay the piece of rubber mat or carpet square in the box. This will protect the rabbit's feet as well as the wood of your new grooming table.