I need to learn about clipping my rabbits nails.?

Question

How old does he have to be? How can i make sure im doing it right? I'm scared i might cut him.

Answer 1

There is no real "appropriate" age for a bunny to begin getting their nails trimmed.
If you want to do it yourself, here's how you go about it....

Buy small kitten or cat nail trimmers, they shouldn't cost you more than $4-5 at your local pet store.

Cornstarch from the grocery store is a great and inexpensive "stop Bleed" item that is wonderful for helping your bunny in case you DO slip up. It clogs the part you accidentally nipped, and prevents bleeding just as well as the stuff the groomers use, and your vet will tell you, it's completely safe to put on a bunny wound. Some also recommend white flour for this.

Holding your bunny on your lap, make sure he's comfy.. a treat or favorite toy is always a good distraction

When you hold your bunny's paw, you'll notice a part that seems pink inside the nail and you will instantly know this is the flesh of your little guy... this is called the "quick". If you knick it, you need to IMMEDIATELY put your bunny's paw into the cornstarch or flour I recommended to you above.

Don't worry about trying to get all his nails in one sitting, but please remember, that if your bunny is in a cage with a wire bottom, that if his nails go neglected, he can get them caught, torn off, and infected, so it is very important to trim them. Trimming them is also very important because your bunny's walking can become affected if it becomes painful for him from having his nails hit the floor too hard.

If you're too nervous (it took me over a year to get up the guts to try it myself), a vet will usually do it for very little money and some groomers will as well.

Congratulations on your new baby friend, he's going to need you and you're heading in the right direction by not being afraid to ask questions!

Answer 2

To assure your bunny stays in good health you will need to clip their nails. This can be a frustrating job at first, but with patients and practice it will become an easy part of your care routine.

Rabbits need to have their nails clipped short for your protection and theirs. Long nails can leave nasty scratches on owners arms. Rabbits with long nails can get them caught on furniture or wire cages and rip them clear out, causing pain for the bunny. A little routine maintenance can prevent these problems from happening in the first place.

Your going to need :

clippers. The human kind work just fine.
a long sleeve shirt and jeans. (helps prevent scratches)
Rabbits nails need to be cut about every three weeks on average. The first few times you clip the nails, you will probably want to have help available, since the rabbit will probably not be too happy about the clipping. Remember, rabbits are easily frightened of new things, but with patience they learn it doesn't hurt them, and become willing participants.




The most important thing to remember is that there is a vein that runs up the rabbit's nails. You will want to cut BELOW this vein for two reasons. First, the nail below the end of the vein has no nerve endings in it, and the rabbit will not feel you clip the nails. Secondly, if you cut into the vein, the rabbit's nail will bleed - sometimes quite heavily.
Look at the nail, and make sure you can see the vein. If you cannot see the vein, shine the light from the flashlight behind the nail. The nail will be more transparent, and the vein will appear darker. It should look like the picture above.

Method #1) Sit in a chair with your bunny between your legs, tummy up, head toward your knees. If you put a bunnies head lower than the rest of the body you can put the bunny in what's known as "bunny trance". Be careful because the bunny can snap out of this trance at any time. With a bit of practice you can become good at "trancing bunnies" and it will make the job of nail cutting much easier.

Method #2

Carefully place the nail clippers just below the vein, and clip firmly. 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.

http://islandgems.net/nails.html

go to above link to see drawings and pictures...very helpful...also for his teeth, get an antler (best) or a branch of wood or wood treats...or else you will find you must take him to a vet to have his teeth clipped as well.
if clipping his claws for the first time is scary thought...go to a vet or groom shop (most vets only charge like 5 dollars for this if anything) and they will teach you not only how to clip them but how best to hold bunny as well.

Answer 3

since rabbits nails are more round than peoples they are more likely to split if you use human clippers. you can buy clippers w/ a round cut out shape from your local pet store. you may also want to get 'quick stop' its a yellow powder that stops the nail from bleeding if you hit the quick of the nail. it also comes in stick form. cut little pieces off at a time not one big chunk. if your rabbits nails are white then you should be able to see the quick. it will be a light pink color. make sure not to clip 2 close to the quick becaus its just like if you cut your nails too short. if your rabbits nails are black you wont be able to see the quick and need to be extra careful. i would say if its the first time to cut their nails take him to a vet and let them show you the proper way to hold your rabbit and exactly how to cut the nails to prevent any problems.

Answer 4

No, you like a particular pair of nail clippers, the two for a small animal or incredibly marketed at rabbit proprietors. there are a number of different the form to trim bunny's nails; I decide to make a "bunny burrito" via wrapping the bunny up in a towel - leaving the appropriate & backside ends open. I then turn them on their lower back; get a paw and gently press it so i can get to each and each nail. i come across it much less confusing to have a helper - get them to the two carry bunny or clip that's nails and do the different one myself.

Answer 5

Just make sure you stay above the quick, cause if you don't it will
make them bleed. And I use human finger nail clippers to cut my rabbits nails.

Answer 6

if you are really worried that you don't know what you are doing, then you may wan to take him to a proffessional to do it, or a vet.