Bobtails Rescue: How to clip your bunny's nails

Keeping your rabbit's claws trimmed is important for his/her wellbeing. If they are allowed to grow too long, they can curl round and become very uncomfortable.

It's quite easy to cut a bunny's nails - you need a pair of rabbit claw scissors from a pet shop (don't use human nail clippers or ordinary scissors) and this short video shows you what to look for and how to clip your bunny's nails.

If in doubt, consult your vet who will be an expert having clipped hundreds (if not thousands) of nails.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• bunny
• rabbit
• nails
• clip
• cut
• claws

[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.

[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