NAILS! Do some rabbits just NOT need their nails trimmed?

[user 25471]

My Holland Lop is just over a year old. For the most part he is free roaming inside and only runs on wood or carpet. I have tried various times up until now to trim his nails. The front go pretty well - I snip a little off, but with the rear - it just seems there's nothing to trim before I hit the quick. They seem fairly long - though they don't really seem to get longer than where they are right now and not as long as I would think given I haven't ever effectively trimmed them (they aren't curling or anything.) I have just tipped them as little as I could possibly manage (which isn't effectively making them any shorter) but if I go anything beyond a dusting - I will make him bleed . Of course nail trimming is getting harder and harder bc he really isn't pleased about this. Do they ever bite their own nails or can they wear just on a hard wood floor? I know my lion head could use a trim every 4 months or so. I keep up the effort in hopes he will get used to a trimming -in case they indeed start to grow too long - but I also pretty much make him bleed each time from a back nail - I feel terrible.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

I have a rabbit with really long nails too. He’s a Rex with black nails! And I’m too scared to cut his nails so I have the vet do it. She cut of the smallest bit off the longest nails ever and explained to me that his quick is just really long. He probably just has long nails. I don’t think they bite their own nails but if you have access to a garden with concrete, that helps file down the nails apparently

 

[Mariam+Theo]

This is the same situation I have with Theo. He has super long nails in the back, but I can't cut them because the quick is right there. He wears them down because of a concrete floor. I would only clip them if they need it.

 

[user 25471]

I have a rabbit with really long nails too. He’s a Rex with black nails! And I’m too scared to cut his nails so I have the vet do it. She cut of the smallest bit off the longest nails ever and explained to me that his quick is just really long. He probably just has long nails. I don’t think they bite their own nails but if you have access to a garden with concrete, that helps file down the nails apparently

So how often do you have your vet do it?

 

[user 25471]

This is the same situation I have with Theo. He has super long nails in the back, but I can't cut them because the quick is right there. He wears them down because of a concrete floor. I would only clip them if they need it.

I guess he must be wearing them even on the wood. I'll stick to the front nails unless I see its becoming a problem !

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

So how often do you have your vet do it?

Every few months or so. Sometimes even longer. The vet checks it every time (every three months) we go to the vet but she never has a problem with them. She often clips the ends though
I also check them about twice a week, and if I notice that they’re getting long, I’ll take him to have them done.
She (the vet) told me that it means his nails went too long without being cut which made his quick grow longer and longer. He’s adopted and I don’t know anything about his previous home. As long as they aren’t curling or causing discomfort they should be okay. You can apparently shorten the quick if following the link. Apollo is extremely skittish when it comes to touching him so that isn’t a good option for us!
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threa...bunny-nails-grow-if-you-dont-clip-them.52950/

 

[user 25471]

Oh - that was interesting.....so the quicks will begin to "draw back" if I just keep at it a little at a time. I guess I will just do the tiniest bit at a time at routine intervals then. I 've had him since he was 12 weeks and I did attempt trimming right away bc I am aware that the quick could eventually be a problem (which is was from the beginning ) But this method may be the answer!

 

[Annettesuter]

My Holland Lop is just over a year old. For the most part he is free roaming inside and only runs on wood or carpet. I have tried various times up until now to trim his nails. The front go pretty well - I snip a little off, but with the rear - it just seems there's nothing to trim before I hit the quick. They seem fairly long - though they don't really seem to get longer than where they are right now and not as long as I would think given I haven't ever effectively trimmed them (they aren't curling or anything.) I have just tipped them as little as I could possibly manage (which isn't effectively making them any shorter) but if I go anything beyond a dusting - I will make him bleed . Of course nail trimming is getting harder and harder bc he really isn't pleased about this. Do they ever bite their own nails or can they wear just on a hard wood floor? I know my lion head could use a trim every 4 months or so. I keep up the effort in hopes he will get used to a trimming -in case they indeed start to grow too long - but I also pretty much make him bleed each time from a back nail - I feel terrible.

Some bunnies need nail trimming. Especially Dwarf Rabbits.
When the bunny is white, with white nails, you can see the blood vessels inside. Just trim 3mm or so away from the blood vessels. Most bunnies habe dark nails, and dont like trimmung the nails. So I often make up an apointment with the vets assistant and she helps me trimming the nails. By the way, if it is bleeding, it is bleeding a lot, but it is not dangerous, as it just stops bleeding after a while. They also dont get infections from nail-bleeding. It is just- a lot if blood.

 

[Hermelin]

Myself trim my bunnies nail every month. I have one with black nails which is the hardest because he can’t be still. One that have half black and half white and the other it’s white. They have different temperaments.

I had a bunny that I only timmed his nails twice during his 8 years in life. He had short beautiful nails becuase he himself managed to keep them short. Even though we checked his claws regular when my dog breeder neighbor was out with her dogs. This was when I was a kid.

When I trim my bunnies nails I do a few presses with the nail clip and then clip. If I’m too close to the pulp and press, the bunny will react and pull away. Not close it won’t pull away as a reaction. Struggling because of pain and struggling because just don’t like trimming will be different.

Sometimes I’m lazy with my struggling bunny, so I go to a pet shop to trim his nails or to a vet.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

My rabbit is very fidgety when I trim his nails, so I turn the flashlight on my phone on and I place the phone upside down under his paw. It shows the quick through his dark nails, and I still do the "press-press" method just to be safe.

 

[Mehidk]

I've finally got the guts to clip my rabbit's nails at home. Let's just say, she is quite vocal with her grunts, disapproving of what I do but does not kick/scratch me away. She does try to run though. I've only done them twice now, with a few nails here and there so it doesn't stress her out too much. I break up her treats into little pieces to distract her while I clip. Her nails are pretty dark so I use the pen with the attached light at the top and check where the quick is before I do the double press and then clip.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

I've finally got the guts to clip my rabbit's nails at home. Let's just say, she is quite vocal with her grunts, disapproving of what I do but does not kick/scratch me away. She does try to run though. I've only done them twice now, with a few nails here and there so it doesn't stress her out too much. I break up her treats into little pieces to distract her while I clip. Her nails are pretty dark so I use the pen with the attached light at the top and check where the quick is before I do the double press and then clip.

Honestly, I don’t even have pet nail clippers! I need to get some
Your rabbit sounds similar to Apollo - although he does run away! He’s often vocalises his discomfort and I heard him grunt at my brother when he was petting him once! But he’s never bitten or even nipped any one!

 

[Mehidk]

Honestly, I don’t even have pet nail clippers! I need to get some
Your rabbit sounds similar to Apollo - although he does run away! He’s often vocalises his discomfort and I heard him grunt at my brother when he was petting him once! But he’s never bitten or even nipped any one!

I feel as though she understands me when I talk to her. She knows that I don't want to clip her nails but I have to. I sit there and while she grunts at me, I start telling her I'm sorry and that I know she's going to be so angry at me but here's a treat to soften the blow LOL. Sure enough, she then just lets me trim while I hear the low grunt as if she's saying "fine...but hurry up already".

 

[Cloverhouse]

I have had rabbits that trimmed their own rear nails, just chewed they down when they got long! It's the exception rather than the rule, but I've seen it.

I handle my house bunnies paws regularly so they are used to it come nail trimming time. I just fondle their paws during petting sessions etc. I also give them treats during nail clipping and it helps. A little bit of broken Cherrio after every few nails makes the much more cooperative!

I also find that the more regularly I do it, the better they are. They realize it's just part of life, and we get on with it. I used to make more of a deal out of it and the rabbits sensed the anxiety in me.

 

[bigyellowrabbit]

Just keep raking tiny bits and the quick will start to recede- they shouldn’t be long but if left the quick increases too and only regular tiny clipping will make it recede

My Holland Lop is just over a year old. For the most part he is free roaming inside and only runs on wood or carpet. I have tried various times up until now to trim his nails. The front go pretty well - I snip a little off, but with the rear - it just seems there's nothing to trim before I hit the quick. They seem fairly long - though they don't really seem to get longer than where they are right now and not as long as I would think given I haven't ever effectively trimmed them (they aren't curling or anything.) I have just tipped them as little as I could possibly manage (which isn't effectively making them any shorter) but if I go anything beyond a dusting - I will make him bleed . Of course nail trimming is getting harder and harder bc he really isn't pleased about this. Do they ever bite their own nails or can they wear just on a hard wood floor? I know my lion head could use a trim every 4 months or so. I keep up the effort in hopes he will get used to a trimming -in case they indeed start to grow too long - but I also pretty much make him bleed each time from a back nail - I feel terrible.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

My Holland Lop is just over a year old. For the most part he is free roaming inside and only runs on wood or carpet. I have tried various times up until now to trim his nails. The front go pretty well - I snip a little off, but with the rear - it just seems there's nothing to trim before I hit the quick. They seem fairly long - though they don't really seem to get longer than where they are right now and not as long as I would think given I haven't ever effectively trimmed them (they aren't curling or anything.) I have just tipped them as little as I could possibly manage (which isn't effectively making them any shorter) but if I go anything beyond a dusting - I will make him bleed . Of course nail trimming is getting harder and harder bc he really isn't pleased about this. Do they ever bite their own nails or can they wear just on a hard wood floor? I know my lion head could use a trim every 4 months or so. I keep up the effort in hopes he will get used to a trimming -in case they indeed start to grow too long - but I also pretty much make him bleed each time from a back nail - I feel terrible.

I saw doing my nail check and though of this thread. His back nails are insanely long especially that one white one!

 

[Rebbie0101]

Hi!
I have a question about curling nails. My rabbits nail is kind of curled over his foot. He doesn’t seem to be in discomfort, but he keeps licking it. He also jumps away when I touch it or try to put it in its correct place. I’m not very sure if he will take care of it on his own or if I will have to help him.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Hi!
It’s not very likely that your rabbit will take care of his nail on his own, especially if he’s indoors. If it’s curling, he’s likely in a fair bit of pain. The same way a curled nail would hurt us. You could take him to a vet to get it cut. They will cut it just by the quick and the quick should hopefully begin to retreat back. And then they’ll cut it again, and may have to do it a few times depending on how long it takes. It could be hard getting a vet to do it due to Covid-19. If so, you can also do it yourself if you’re confident.

 

[Rebbie0101]

Thank you so much! I think I’m going to have to figure out how to cut it myself. I usually trick my bunny into having his nails cut (the back ones are especially hard) but I’ll try and manage

 

[Mariam+Theo]

Thank you so much! I think I’m going to have to figure out how to cut it myself. I usually trick my bunny into having his nails cut (the back ones are especially hard) but I’ll try and manage

You need to clip it. I do a mix of these two videos: