My rabbit stays in a cage i let him run around but when i pick him up and hold him he sometimes scratches me and my daughter we both have scars on our arms from his nails. I clip them from time to time but it is hard he wiggles a lot. But i was wondering is it better if i get his nails removed at the vet or is it better just to keep them short? But even when i keep them short he still scratches us both. I just want to make sure it's safe for him without nails.
2007-01-23 11:36:26 · 10 answers · asked by QUELIE QUEL 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
DO NOT have your rabbit declawed. It is inhumane. What you are actually doing is removing part of their toes. Rabbits do not have pads on the bottoms of their feet, so their nails are the only thing they have for traction.
Your rabbit scratches you because he does not like to be picked up. Most rabbits get very uneasy when they are picked up and will try to escape you. You should not handle your rabbit unless it is absolutely necessary, like when it is time to go to the vet or when you are trimming his nails.
There are several more reasons you should not declaw your rabbit. Please click on the following link to read more.
http://www.rabbit.org/care/declawing.html
2007-01-23 12:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by gobanana516 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many veterinarians will advise their clients not to declaw a rabbit. The reasons behind this advice are well grounded in the anatomy of the rabbit's feet. There are three bones called phalanges in each toe, and the last one would have to be removed completley.
The pads on the bottom of the rabbit's foot are a little different from those in dogs and cats. Rabbits do not have a very large fat cushion under the tips of their toes. Rabbits rely on a firm pad of fur along the foot to accept much of their body weight and thumping action. The tips of the toes would have to take all the pressure instead of this pad of fur if a declaw is performed.
In short, ok for dogs and cats, bad for bunnies.
2007-01-23 11:51:27 · answer #2 · answered by X-tina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a behavioral problem. You fix it by changing the way you and the rabbit interact.
Don't hold him so long; let him go before he feels he has to scratch you. Reward him with a little romaine lettuce, parsley, or cilantro for as long as he sits quietly in you or your daughter's arms. Don't restrain him; otherwise he'll feel hemmed in and when he wants to move and finds he can't, he'll freak out. Just let him go. As he gets more confident, he'll decide to spend more time with you. Rabbits are social animals, so he'll want your company if he feels safe with you.
Give him a few treats when he's with you, let him go when he wants to leave.
To safely pick him up, without stressing him out, scoop his front end up with one hand under his elbows, and support his rump with a hand under his tail bone. Then transfer him into your arms with his head toward the crook of your elbow. If he struggles too much, you can grip him by the scruff of his neck and his ears (put the weight on the scruff, not the ears) and immediately fold him in your arms with his face squeezed between your arm and your chest. Of course, always support his rump with your other hand. Holding his ears effectively frightens him into holding still, so it's not something you want to do unless you need to.
If you keep his rump curled under him whenever you pick him up, he'll feel secure, he won't be able to kick, and you should have an easier time keeping your grip on him. It's safest for both of you.
To hold him still as you clip his claws, wrap him in an old towel like a mummy.
Unless they're really deep (clear through the skin or something) your and your daughter's scars will fade in a year or two. Mine did.
Rabbits are very insecure, so they need a lot of space, freedom, and respect. They're like cats that way---and cats are notorious for flipping out and scratching the heck out of your forearms for no apparent reason.
2007-01-24 09:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem with my rabbits scratching but being a person who shows her rabbits i cant get their nails removed but u should talk to a vet because rabbits do like to dig and things.
2007-01-23 12:01:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't de claw a rabbit, they need there nails. just keep them short and work with the rabbit so he won't scratch as much
2007-01-23 13:30:45 · answer #5 · answered by Olivia W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a very painful procedure to get an animal declawed. I'm not sure they will even do rabbits.
It's not worth it, and pretty unhumaine.
Just get the nails trimmed (a groomer will do it for about $5)
2007-01-23 11:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should keep his nails short.
Is somthing scareing it when you hold him? Dogs running around barking, ect.
Also you should evalaute how you are picking him up EXAMPLE if you are grabbing him by the scruff of his neck its going to hurt and he'll scratch.
JUST FOR REVIEW
Hold your bunny with one hand under its chest and the other under its butt. Hold him close to you and you shouldn't have any problems.
2007-01-23 14:38:15 · answer #7 · answered by Natalie Rose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I LOL at George. plenty. i do not aspect although, reason that's rude. thumper is lovable..the rabbit from alice in wonderland is creepier than the rabbit from donnie darko ill bypass with thumper :)
2016-12-02 23:20:31 · answer #8 · answered by minogue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get the rabbit declawed. contrary to popular belife, it is not painful at all. The rabbit will be alot happier to be held buy you and your daughter. Hope i have helped!
2007-01-23 11:44:18 · answer #9 · answered by Animal Vet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as ur rabbit is a pet without any natural predators ur rabbit should be fine
2007-01-23 11:41:19 · answer #10 · answered by julianne w 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋