If our rabbits hind feet dont sit at the proper angle, weight is forced back onto their heels and that can lead to sore hocks, also known as pododermatitis. Squeeze the handle, and a blade cuts the nail. This keeps them from ever growing overly long. Another method is the squeeze, squeeze, cut method. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. If you find cutting your rabbit's nails too difficult, you can take your rabbit to a vet or a grooming service. Overgrown nails are also very likely to get caught on something, such as the carpet, and break off. RWAF conferences and CPD roadshows for veterinary professionals, Vaccinations information for veterinary professionals, Vaccination for rabbits April 2021 update. Never do this to your rabbits. Repeat this process on the back claws, and plan to trim your rabbits claws every 4-6 weeks to keep them manageable. The dewclaw sits slightly higher than the other toenails, on the inside of the paw. Rest the rabbit's back upon your legs, and lay its head in the crook of your elbow. Enigma House Leave them alone until they are ready to forgive you. You can also give your rabbit digging surfaces to help them wear down their own nails. Scissor-style clippers. Shape The World. If you are going to cut your rabbits nails then youll need some decent clippers. If nails are very long and the quick is quite high, you can encourage it to recede by whats known as nibbling. It's the first time for both of us, and I believe that we, "It is a really good advice. The high surface, such as a table or countertop, will keep your rabbit from easily running away from you. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Calls from mobiles will be charged according to your call plan. Although both require nail maintenance, they have to go about getting it in different ways. CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST CLIPPERS FOR RABBITS CLAWS, Best Clippers for Rabbits Claws (EDITORS CHOICE). This will make cutting the nails short again more difficult. Life as a domestic rabbit is very different to life as a wild rabbit. Use a cotton ball with cornstarch or flour to stop the flow of blood and allow your rabbit to clean their wound. I have used cardboard boxes, cat scratcher mats, and corrugated cardboard cat scratchers for my rabbit to have fun digging into. Likewise, if your rabbits nails are so long that they cant seem to hop around comfortably, then they are in need of a trim right away. Never press down on the rabbit's back or spine. Over time, as you handle your rabbit more and get used to clipping their nails, this process will get easier and your rabbit will get used to it. If you notice any redness or puffiness around the root of the nail, you should make an appointment with your vet. They can get snagged on a carpet or other flooring, causing the nail to break or the toe to get dislocated. Hold the rabbit on your lap, or lay him onto a non-slippery surface: lay a towel or mat on top of a sofa or table. Trimming claws is a necessary part of keeping your rabbit healthy. These both have high quality rabbit products and are companies that care about the health of our small animals. If you allow your pet rabbit's nails to just keep growing and growing, they could become extremely harmful, not only to the little guy but to yourself and to the rest of your family. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web: Oryctolagus Cuniculus, How to Make Sure Your Pet Rabbit Doesn't Bite. This is something that is very difficult to detect, but can cause pain for the rabbit. This is usually the most difficult nail to clip because it has a tendency to hide in the rabbits fur. However, How Much Time Do You Need to Spend With a Pet Rabbit? This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. There is a vein and a nerve running up each nail that has to be avoided. Then you will receive tips and tricks about rabbit care straight to your inbox so that you know youll be taking excellent care of your new rabbit. This can be a contributor to conditions such as arthritis and sore hocks (when a rabbit gets sores on the bottom of their heels), making it painful for the rabbit to move around. If you are purchasing anything fromSmall Pet Selectuse the codeBUNNYLADYat checkout to get 15% off your first order. Many rabbits will be very mad at you for a short period of time afterward. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/19/21/910/Nail-Trimming.aspx, http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-styptic-powder.htm, http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-care/clipping-your-rabbits-nails/, http://rabbit.org/how-to-trim-your-rabbits-nails/, http://pets.stackexchange.com/questions/3105/do-i-need-to-trim-a-rabbits-nails. For these darker nailed rabbits, many caretakers recommend using a flashlight. If you want to help your pet keep his nails trim just as his wild counterparts do, allow him the chance to move around on something with a hard texture every day. However, recent studies have shown that this is a very stressful position for a rabbit. You should clip them as soon as possible. Or if you are dealing with a particularly fidgety rabbit, you can use the towel to burrito the rabbit while you clip their paws. It is a simple solution and one you are not going to have to think about a lot. If you allow your rabbits nails to keep growing, the vein inside them (the quick) will also grow along the nail. She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. "I have no idea how to look after a rabbit, having never owned one, but I do understand their claws grow as our. The important thing is that your rabbit is calm, comfortable, and immobile. The only exception to this is in Rex rabbits, where the fur is so much shorter! In the wild, a rabbits nails will naturally get worn down during their day to day life. Providing a rabbit with these other materials will not completely replace the need to clip their nails, but it should make the trimming sessions less frequent. If your rabbit tries to pull his paw back or struggles, you're probably pressing the blood vessel. This is a good idea when learning how to wear down rabbits claws. Thanks again! Rabbit toenails are claws but they are not the same as cat claws, which are extensions of a cats toes. Ive designed adorable bunny apparel! It can also result in dislocation or breaking of the toes. As part of your regular checks of your rabbits you need to keep an eye on their nails. On their front paws, they have the four toenails, and then the dewclaw. Owner, rescue centre and veterinary professional experiences of rabbit bonding. Styptic pencils make it easy to quickly deploy the anti-bleeding substance, and they may be easier to find than pure styptic powder. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Ask about clipping services over the phone or during your next vet visit. If your rabbit reacts then you are too near the quick. To keep your rabbit from digging into the carpet, you will need to rabbit-proof your home. Or if you know what you are looking for there are plenty of places online. Its worth having cornflour too yes, really. They tend to be frightened of people until they get to know you. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. If your rabbit happens to move or struggle exactly when you go to clip a nail, it might be pulled off completely. Thanks! This includes finding high-quality clippers to trim a rabbits claws right away. Monitor and cut them a little sooner for these breeds. If the dewclaw grows too long, it may get caught on something and hurt your rabbit. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? The purpose of their nails is primarily to make it easy for the rabbit to dig holes, but their nails also serve to protect the rabbits feet and give them traction on slippery surfaces. I had seen the procedure done by the vet but my vet isn't around and my bunny, "I just wanted to thank you so much for featuring my YouTube channel Artandbeautyfreak. 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