Clipping nails

[theevenstarlight]

I have a rabbit with dark nails so it is hard tosee the quick. If I have a v-neck shirt on her nails willscratch me. Does this mean that they are too long, or willthey scratch me regardless of the length? Is there a way totell if they are too long, like do they start to curve? I'mjust not sure when I should clip them. I know that I shouldclip them frequently instead of a lot at once since I can't see thequick, but how frequently? Help!

 

[Haley]

Its a lot more difficult to see the quick on rabbits with black nails.

If you have a well-lit area, you may be able to see it better. I wouldfind a nice bright room with natural light when you try to trim them.

You will always feel the nail against your skin even if it doesnt needto be trimmed. The only way I can think of to describe the length thenail should be is to be sure its not curling under too much.

Heres a link to our resource center with lots of links and how-tos. Hope that helps a bit!

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12075&forum_id=17

 

[Newangelma]

What helps me see the quik is a flashlight. Havesomeone hold the rabbit and put the flashlight right next to the nail.Once you see it put your finger where the quik is. I have a few blackdogs and that has always helped me.

 

[Starina]

My bunny scratches me even if I just clippedher. She can scratch me though my shirt, so I think that bunny nailsare just made that way. :?I find that if she scratches her ears whenshe cleans them with her feet then I have gone too long. :rollseyesIend up feeling guilty, and do it right away. That hasn't happened in awhile, I try to do it about once a month. Dark nails are a pain, you dohave to break out the flashlight, and try to wrestle a kicking bunnywho haskiller talons, or youwouldn't be clippingthem. I would definatly get a helper.

Good Luck!

~Star~

 

[theevenstarlight]

Thanks for all of the advice! Iactually am able to set my bunny in my lap and gently pull her foot outfrom her, and she usually lets me clips her nails this way.She is pretty calm about it, the trouble is I just don't know how oftento do it! I'm really scared of making her bleed (I have astyptic pen, though), but I don'twant her nails to get toolong.

 

[aurora369]

I find that my mini rex's nails grow quite quickly, and I have to clip them about every month to 6 weeks.

I think if you clipped every 6 weeks or so it would be a goodschedule. You want the nails to be nice and short so thatthey don't start to twist. Clipping regularly will also helpto keep the quick short.

I've nicked the quick a couple times, and as bad as that looks, they soon forget and normally don't seem to feel much.

--Dawn

 

[Starina]

theevenstarlight wrote:

I actually am able to set my bunny in my lap and gently pullher foot out from her, and she usually lets me clips her nails thisway. She is pretty calm about it

LUCKY!! I am so jealous. My bunny fights for her life when I amclipping her nails. She has actually kicked me in the face before. Itis those back toes, I can get the front ones okay, but those back onesare a pain. She waits until I get my face close to make sure I am notgoing to hurt her and then POW! Right in the kisser! :boxing

~Star~

 

[theevenstarlight]

Yipes!