It's sharp and I was wondering if I could cut it.
2006-09-15 20:57:04 · 13 answers · asked by dauntlessblythe 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
yes this needs to be sone to captive rabbits, but get proper instructions first because you can hurt it or cause it to get an infection.
Trimming Your Rabbits Nails
In order for you to assure your rabbit stays in good health you need to clip their nails. At first it is a frustrating job, but eventually it will become part of a routine.
Rabbits need to have their nails clipped short for 2 reasons:
(A)Long nails can leave nasty scratches
(B)Rabbits with long nails can get them caught on the wire of a cage and rip them out completely, causing them pain.
Your going to need :
To Help Prevent Scratches
Long sleeve shirt & pants or a towel
Or a Wabbit Wrap or a Bunny Burrito
On average you should clip your rabbits nails about every 3 weeks. The first few times you clip your rabbits nails, you may want help. You can always ask the breeder if the rabbits nails have been clipped yet so you know what you're in for if it's the first time it's ever been done. And you can plan ahead to make sure you have help.
The most important thing to remember is that there is a quik or vein that runs up the rabbit's nails.
On a white nailed rabbit the quik, or vein is easy to see. However on darker rabbits you have to judge for yourself. You will want to cut BELOW this vein for two reasons:
(1)The nail in front of the quik (vein) has no nerve endings in it and the rabbit won't feel you clip it.
(2)If you cut into the quick (vein) the rabbits nail will bleed, sometimes quite heavily.
Try looking at your rabbits nail to see if you can see the quik (vein). If not, try shining the light from a flashlight behind the nail you are going to clip. This should make the nail more transparent and allow you to see the quik (vein) as it appears darker.
Once you are ready to clip your rabbits nails, if you have help you can have someone hold the rabbit. Or you can use the "Cradle Method"
Sit in a chair with your rabbit between your legs, belly up, with the head towards you knees. By placing a rabbits head lower than the rest of its body you can put them in what is known as a "bunny trance". You want to be careful, because the rabbit can snap out of the trance at any given time too. Carefully place the nail clippers over the tip of the nail and cut just the very tip of the nail off(the point). If you be sure to just take the very tip (point) you will not hit the vein. Now repeat the process for the remaining nails. If you cut too high, and the nail bleeds, use the styptic powder to stop the bleeding.
2006-09-15 21:05:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but you have to be extermely careful if you try to do it yourself. Unlike human, rabbits actually have blood vessels in the portion of their nail closest to the foot. If you cut the nail too close, you could hit the blood vessels, and your rabbit start bleeding. It's important that you have cotton and something to stop the bleeding if you cut too far (there are special products for this, or you can use cornstarch or flour). You also need to have a second person to help you so you have one to hold the rabbit and one to trim his nails.
Alternatively, you can take your rabbit to the vet and have the vet clip his nails. That's what I do. My rabbit is squirmy and I don't want to risk hurting him. But I also find that it's not really a problem if his nails are kind of long.
2006-09-15 21:09:57 · answer #2 · answered by EmilyRose 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can cut your rabbit's nails. Use a clipper made for a dog's nails. Be careful not to cut into the quick or it will bleed. It's best to have help doing this. One to hold the rabbit and one to do the cutting.
2006-09-15 21:06:57 · answer #3 · answered by Gigi C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you can. Go to the Pet Store, as they have clippers for dogs nails and cats, as accoriding how big your rabbits nails.
You can even ask someone at the Pet Store (Like at PetCo or another BIG chain) and just be gentle, as most nails do bleed a little, give the bunny a nice, warm, bath, snipp them, and does help! Think of the rabbitt as a baby, and it will do fine
2006-09-15 21:19:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jersey Girl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had several rabbits and you can clip them but you do have to be careful because they will bleed alot so I am told so I just clipped the very tips every so often, you do know they have to have those wood sticks to chew on to keep there teeth short (or so I heard from pet store and I googled it also)
2006-09-15 21:26:25 · answer #5 · answered by impala1972 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but only a little bit since you might catch a nerve a make them bleed, but if you do don't worry about it, dab it with a cloth and put some sort of cream on it.
2006-09-15 22:31:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits dont really need there nails to be cut but if you do the nail are really dead cells which is kinda gross
2006-09-15 21:06:18 · answer #7 · answered by halol143 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a great website on nail cutting for rabbits.
I hope this helps
2006-09-16 02:47:41 · answer #8 · answered by Duke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, you need the kind of nail clippers they use for dogs and be sure you dont cut into the meaty part of the nail or it will bleed and become infected.
2006-09-15 21:06:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes you can do it by your self. If you can't mange to do it your self you can have the Vet do it or an animal groomer.
2006-09-15 21:05:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋