How can I clip my rabbits nails?

[BunLover]

Hi guys,
My rabbit HATES to be held, I was wondering what I could do to keep him still, should I take him to the vet to get his nails clipped? And how often should vet\I clip them?
Thanks for the help,
-Bunlover

 

[dogwoodblossoms]

Rabbits nails need to be cut once a month, if that's to much for the rabbit, every two months.
Does he let you touch his paws? You might be able to clip a nail every once in a while when he is sitting/laying next to you. I know that some vets do clip animals nails, I'm just not sure how much they will charge...

 

[BunLover]

He does not like his paws touched at all either. He needs a check up too, but it It is 50 dollars so I don't want to take him to the vet every 2 months.

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

This video is super helpful! For Bullet (who nips during nail clipping) I use a bunny burrito, and for Opal (who nips as well, but only my neck) I bend her butt under her chest and she sits there perfectly fine.

 

[Blue eyes]

How long between clippings completely depends on the rabbit, its activity level, and what surface it runs on. Some rabbits may not need nails clipped at all if they are persistent diggers and run on rough surfaces and naturally wear them down. (Though that really isn't the case for most house rabbits.) The nails should not be allowed to get too long or the quick (the vein inside the nail) will grow longer along with the nail making it difficult to clip without making it bleed. How often will depend on the rabbit, so just keep an eye on the length.

The video linked by @CrazyChickenGirl is an excellent video! Watch it several times and follow it precisely. Each little step is important! One of my rabbits was particularly difficult to nail trim. I really did not think the method in the video would work, but it truly did!! Even the part with the shaking of the back foot worked just as described. I used a table like in the video as well. So just follow precisely and good luck!!

 

[BunLover]

Thank you all for the reply, I will probably take him to the vet for this time because he needs a check up, but I am going to try that thanks

 

[Orrin]

Maybe I should start a new thread; and, I might. But, our experience with a four-month Flemish Giant might be worthwhile, here.

Just this week we adopted Rusty. The first thing we noticed is that his nails were razor sharp; we have the accidental scratches to prove it. So, we immediately set about giving him a trim, just as we do with all our rabbits.

But, try as we might to just barely cut the sharp tips off, we still got into the quick and caused bleeding. With each and every nail we tried to cut off less and less; but, things were still the same.

Luckily our new babe, Rusty, is mellow and forgiving and doesn't hold grudges; but, we learned a lesson. Until he gets older we'll grind the tips of the nails.

 

[BunLover]

Maybe I should start a new thread; and, I might. But, our experience with a four-month Flemish Giant might be worthwhile, here.

Just this week we adopted Rusty. The first thing we noticed is that his nails were razor sharp; we have the accidental scratches to prove it. So, we immediately set about giving him a trim, just as we do with all our rabbits.

But, try as we might to just barely cut the sharp tips off, we still got into the quick and caused bleeding. With each and every nail we tried to cut off less and less; but, things were still the same.

Luckily our new babe, Rusty, is mellow and forgiving and doesn't hold grudges; but, we learned a lesson. Until he gets older we'll grind the tips of the nails.

View attachment 60151

He is adorable.