Bobtails Rescue: How to clip your bunny's nails

[velvetuk]

Thank you for the tip on shining the torch...my bunnies nails have got far too long as I was so frightened of cutting the quick...now I know what to do :D

[SailingBetty]

hey, i just can't get near my bunny's nails! he doesnt mind being picked up or being cuddled but will only stay like that for about a minute before he becomes hyper and wants to wiggle free! and as i am so scared of hurting him, i let him go every time!! It's almost like he see's me and thinks play time not relax time! ive tried turning my bunny over and also sitting him like you are holding this rabbit, but he just starts squirming and kicking! what should i do?!

[BobtailsRescueUK]

@SailingBetty It can sometimes be easier if you make it a 2 person job. One can hold the rabbit and the other clips the nails. If you are still worried about doing it (and it does get easier with practice), ask your vet if they can help you the first time. You will probably feel more confident after that. Vets dont charge much for nail clipping. Or may be contact a local rescue centre - we would certainly offer to help you if you are near us.

[italianbabe100]

how often do you have to trim the nails?

[BobtailsRescueUK]

It depends on how quickly they grow and whether or not they grind them down with all that scratching(!) that they do. Once ever 6 months should be sufficient, but check regularlt - if the nails extend more than a short distance out beyond the fur, you should probably look at them. There needs to be a few milimetres beyond the pink quick that runs down the centre of the nail (a bit like human finger nails). If your rabbit has dark nails, shine a torch to see where the quick is.

[videoaddict459]

every video i see on here has CALM rabbits . . my rabbit HATES being held, how do I do this alone?? HELP

[BobtailsRescueUK]

Sorry for the delay in responding. It sounds as if you may not be handling your rabbit enough - no rabbit likes being held, but they shouldn't hate it. It is a case of "practice makes perfect". Perhaps ask your vets to show you how to hold your bunny safely when you next go for vaccinations - they should even let you have a try in the security of the surgery, which should help you gain enough confidence to do it yourself.

[TheLilboo1996]

Hi bobtails , we got our rabbits form you in April 2009 George & Fred other wise known as count de frou frou and Captin Darling ! as you named them. They were the lovely lop gingery rabbits who had the brother scarlet pimpernell. I would just like to say that have settle in really well and they are both healthy.

thanks for the lovely rabbits.

[runescapek0ed]

laura, all rabbits have dewlaps, just that female rabbit's ones are more obvious.Just run down to your nearest pet store, grab a nail clipper, muster up some courage, get some flour as well.If the nails are cut too deep and it bleeds, take a pinch of flour and apply it on the nail

[BobtailsRescueUK]

If you do accidentally cut into the quick, pushing the nail into a bar of soap also stops the bleeding.

[Rik2shiroai]

my rabbit is antisocial and doesnt like to be touched so much...

[BobtailsRescueUK]

The more you handle your rabbit, the more it will get used to it. They are very sociable animals and benefit from human contact.

[Laurasorocks]

it has diahrrhea aswell. i dont think it will elt me hold it like that. its quite frightened. It hhas a dewlap. does that mean its a girl?

[Laurasorocks]

i just found a rabbit today by the road. I caught it and brought it home. Its domesticated and has the longest back nails ive ever seen. They have gone all curled up and its quite skinny. I asked aroud the nearby houses but no1 claimed it. Im going to wait till my parents are back from their hols on tuesday then Ill see whether im a allowed to keep it or if we need to contact the rspca. Its quite skittish nd obviously hasnt been taken care of properly. but im 2 scard 2 cut the nails myself

[jamk37]

What if my rabbit doesn't like to be cuddled.

[BobtailsRescueUK]

Practice makes perfect, but if you want help, ask your vet if they can help give you one to one training next time you go. They will let you clip the nails in an environment that will allow you to gain confidence.