My house rabbits needs his nails cut! anyone had any experience with this?

Question

Is it possible for me to do them? Or does this need to be professionally done? I don't want to hurt him....has anyone had any experience with this?

Answer 1

First, yes you can do it by yourself. If you're uncomfortable trying the first time you can take him to the vet and have the vet show you how to do it. You need to get animal nail clippers, most pet stores will have them.

When you're ready to cut the nail you need to get your rabbit and turn him upside down. If he doesn't like this then try wrapping him in a towel and put him between your legs to help control him. Wrap your hand around his paw and place your thumb in the center and push down gently to extend his nails out as far as possible. If your rabbit has dark claws the next part will be a bit trickier. Look at the nails. If they are white you should easily be able to see on the inside a red line. This is the blood supply to the nail. You want to place the clipper around the nail right below where this line ends and cut. If you get too close and it bleeds don't worry too much, but try to keep it lower on the other nails. If your rabbit has dark nails seeing the blood is more difficult and if you can't see it just clip a bit at a time, but don't cut it shorter than about a 1/4 inch.

Good luck, once you've done it a few times you should feel much more comfortable, and your rabbit should get used to it too!

Answer 2

Rabbits nails are very similar to that of a cat. Although rabbits can be jumpy, If you have done a cats nails before, you should be fine. Before actually try to do it yourself, try holding the rabbit on its side in your lap, if it is jumpy wrap him in a towel with one foot out at a time. If he appears to be calm you should be fine. If the nail is not overly long, just snip off the tip of the nail. I have always just used regular nail clippers, but you can buy nail clippers for rabbits. Most rabbit have clear or whitish nails and you can see the quick. Make sure you don't cut into the quick. Make sure you have quick stop on hand, it will stop the bleeding if a nail is cut too short.

This site might also help
http://islandgems.net/nails.html

Answer 3

It doesn't need to be professionally done. There is one simple rule behind cutting rabbit toe nails: Don't go behind the line.

What I mean by this is that you should see sort of a demarcation line by either seeing a pink or darker area at the back portion of the toenail. You do not want to go beyond that line. If you do, you will hit the nerves and blood vessels in the rabbit's toenails.

The demarcation line is similar to the pink ones you see on human fingernails.

You can use fingernail clippers, toenail clippers, pet toenail clippers, or even wire clippers to cut the toenails. They all will do the job adequately.

To turn the rabbit over for cutting the toenails, grab the rabbit fur tightly right behind the rabbit's ears. Wrap your thumb around the base of the rabbit's ears as close to the base of as you can get your thumb. The closer you get your thumb to the base, the more control you have over preventing the rabbit from turning its head and flipping back over. Take your second hand and place it on the rabbit's rump. Slowly roll the rabbit over on its rump and over onto its back. If the rabbit starts kicking after you have rolled it over. Move the second hand from its rump to its belly right between the back legs and spread your hand wide spreading the back legs out. This will keep the rabbit from flipping back over by stabilizing it and also keep the rabbit from kicking and scratching your arm. After the rabbit calms down use the second hand to cut the toenails. Use your thumb to press down on the paw pads to expose the toenails from the fur. If the rabbit starts getting feisty while you are cutting toenails use one of your arms to bring the rabbit close to your body to keep it from flipping over. If the rabbit gets too fiesty just let it flip back over and try again. It's usally a good idea to wear and old sweatshirt or old jacket to keep from getting scratched, especially if it's your first time or two attempting it. Some people will pull cut-out socks over their arms for this purpose.

Answer 4

There are over 40 diffrent breeds of rabbits, so which you need to do your discover ways to locate the main suitable form on your loved ones. submit to in recommendations that all and sundry rabbits, no count the breed, have the flexibility to bite. residing house rabbits must be spayed or neutered to cut back aggression and different behavioral issues, to boot as for wellness motives. you need to evaluate occurring your community animal/rabbit safeguard or rescue and adopting a rabbit in choose. you would be waiting to fulfill with the rabbits interior the safeguard to examine their personalities until eventually now you're taking them residing house, and that they're going to maximum possibly already be fastened.

Answer 5

I don't know about rabbits..but if they are like cutting a dog's nails..I suggest taking him to a pro! Call petsmart to see if they will cut a rabbits nails. I know I have taken my dog in as a "walk-in" for that.

Answer 6

Mine needs his nails cut, too. I don't know how to do it so he's going to the vet. I don't think you can just 'experiment' with animals, if you don't know what you're doing, don't try. Although you can't exactly maim him, you can cut in to his veins and make him bleed. It won't be pleasant for either of you.

Answer 7

Yes, we take ours to the vet or get a friend to come and help. You can get tips at:
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#nails

and you can also order a very good video that shows you how to do it and you'll benefit rabbit rescue:
www.rabbitcare.org

Answer 8

Well I used to cut nails of my pet squirrel. Just do it with a nail cutter. Do it slowly and in supervision of someone elder

Answer 9

well to be honest if you are nervous about clipping it's nail then i would take this to a professional

Answer 10

just cut the tips off.if your too worried take your rabbit to local petshop or to the vet