What is the best way to cut a rabbit's nails?

Answer 1

I have my fiance hold the rabbit; one had under his rear (fingers holding the bottom legs) and one around the bun's chest (fingers holding the top legs). You can also hold the bunny in a towel if they tend to scratch and flail when you hold him/her. Also, wear a long sleeved shirt, as your bunny might be inclined to freak out the first time it gets it's nails trimmed. Next, I gently pull the leg out a little bit to better see the nails and use a guillotine like dog clippers to cut the nails. There are all sorts of clippers available, but I find these to be the most effective for my bunnie's thick nails.

The nails have a vein running through them called the quick. DON'T cut it! Don't cut right next to it either. Leave a little breathing room between where you cut and the quick. If you do accidently cut it, there is something called "quick stop" available in stores that helps stop the cuts. There are also home remedies made w/ flour and such to stop the bleeding. Search online for those.

Now, are your bun's nails black or white on top? If they are black, this will make it more difficult to cut. Mine are, and I used a flashlight to shine it under the nail to see the quick.

Also, if your rabbit freaks out after, let's say, the front paws are clipped, leave the back paws until tomorrow. Let the bunny rest and not be stressed.

If you're uncomfortable with it, please don't do it yourself first. Take it to the vet, or sometimes petstores will show you (or do it for you). My pet store does it as a service for $4.

Here are some websites with illustrations of what I just explained:

http://islandgems.net/nails.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/ht/RabbitNails.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_16499_trim-rabbits-toenails.html
http://www.tinytotsrabbitry.com/care/nailtrimming.html
http://www.spacerad.com/rabbit/brushing.html
http://www.double-d-ranch.net/downloads/article-01.pdf#search='how%20to%20cut%20rabbit%27s%20nails'
http://users.commspeed.net/rgbunny/bbb/care/toenails.html
http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/AltB.htm

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Hi,
Have a friend hold your rabbit and use human clippers that are designed with the hand holder straight, and the clipper part has been turned toward your toes, this way you can see the vein in the paw (if bunny is white) if dark, err on the side of just take off the tip then go back a bit more. You don't want to quik the animal, or I should say cut the vein, as it not only hurts but you need a stiptik powder to get it stopped, but human clippers designed like the ones above are the best, I like to use them to finish my dogs feet.
Hope it helps. Also, don't forget their front teeth :)
NS

Answer 3

Hi-- We use dog or kitten toe nail clippers. You need to get a firm grasp of the rabbit -- I recommend wearing long sleeves just to be safe. Hold the foot and nail area firmly and cut -- just like you would your own nails. Do be careful not to cut to much or you will cut the "quick" which is the vein that runs down to the nail. At first just cut the sharp tips and slowly work your way to making them shorter as needed. There are several websites that go over this...

http://islandgems.net/nails.html

Has lots of very practical info.

If you are in doubt, have your vet show you the first time and then it will be easier next time.

Answer 4

If a white toenail it's easy to see the quick - simply cut without cutting into it. Dark toenails are a bit trickier but you'll get the hang of it. Keep some QuickStop on hand just in case one jerks and you cut too deep - it'll stop it fast. Use heavy toenail clippers or the clippers for dogs. There is no reason to pay a vet to clip toenails
If the rabbit is difficult carefully wrap him/her in a large towel with the foot out for access. Being covered up and snug helps secure him.

Answer 5

I always use the clippers that you can buy for dogs. Even if they are very long be sure and not cut off too much. If they have black nails I would just take a little off at one time and then wait a week to take of a little more and so on. The easiest way to hold them is to grasp them by the scruff of their neck and flip them over onto a table so they are laying on their back. I know it sounds awkward and painful, but it's really not and it's the best way to keep control.

Answer 6

the vet, u shouldn't do it if u r not a professional. u can cut the rabbit's vains and make it bleed. take it to the vet and have the vet show u how to do it and then next time, u can do it yourself

Answer 7

You can use toenail clippers or Roscoe clippers, but if you've never done it before, you may want a veterinarian to show you how. Please visit www.rabbit.org for more information on rabbit care! They can help you out with any of your other questions.

- a dvm

Answer 8

take them to the vet or go to the store and see if they have a clipers for rabbits.

Answer 9

Use dog clippers and lay it on it's back and clip them eaisly.

Answer 10

Ask a vet.