Can I cut my pet rabbits nails?

Question

His nails are EXTREMELY sharp, so sharp in fact I can barely hold him without getting a deep cut. Is it okay to cut his nails.. and with what?

Answer 1

Keep an eye on your bunny's nails and trim the ends with a small pair of dog nail clippers (these are better than scissors

as they don't squeeze the nail and hurt your bunny). You don't need to trim excessively, just the tips on a regular basis.

If you need to trim a bit more than the tip of the nail, do not cut below the "quick" (this is the blood supply and can be

seen as a pink line on clear nails).

If you have a rabbit that does not like to be picked up or handled (& most hate having their feet held), you can try sneeky

tricks to trim their nails (if you're quick!!). One such trick is to offer some of their favourite food and while they're on the

ground eating & happy, have the nail clippers ready, zoom in & clip a nail or two while they eat. Of course, they'll cotton

on fairly quickly & you may only get one or two done at a time but it's better than forcing them & frightening them.

You can also try wrapping them in a bunny burrito (towel) but only if they are likely to respond with this technique.

If you're having real difficulty with nail trimming at home, please visit the vet. You'll find that most bunnies become quite

sedate when sitting on a clinic's table. If it's still difficult, a mild sedative can be given by your vet to safely clip nails.

A pair of small dog nail cippers are best. Rabbit nails are

round so these type of clippers don't squash your bunny's nails

when you clip.

Answer 2

absolutely!! you need to trim your rabbit's nails at least once a month. you use human nail clippers or cat nail clippers. be sure to have a ceptic stick before you trim so if you cut them too badly you canstop the pain and bleeding. your bunny and you will be more comfortable.

Answer 3

cutting nails is a big pain in the butt, but it needs to be done every month to every other month.  If your rabbit has white nails, you're lucky.  You can see pink, this is the quick.  Get some cat or dog nail nippers and cut sorta close to the quick.  If you get to close, the rabbit's nail may start to bleed.  It's just like cutting our nails, if you cut into the quick, you cut into the meat under your fingernail... ouch!!

Black nails are harder to cut and you basically have to guess where the quick is.  Start with small trims off the tip of the nail and work your way slowly up the nail.  Our rabbits are pretty good at telling us when we are getting too close.

If you feel real unsure about how to do it the first time, take him to someone who knows how and watch.  I get asked all the time to cut other people's rabbit's nails!  Remember, the first time is always the scariest!  And if you cut into the quick, it'll heal, so don't feel too bad.