Wont let me clip his nails??

[Nickkohl]

My bun who is about 11 weeks old has very sharp nails and I’ve read that long nails can be quite uncomfortable for rabbits but whenever I try to clip his nails he keeps running away and will pull his feet away when i hold them! how can I cut them without having to pay someone else to do it? Thanks a bunch!

[Elrohwen]

Do you have someone who can help you? It’s much easier to have one person hold while the other person clips.

You could also try wrapping him up in a towel – it’s called a bunny burrito – while pulling out one foot at a time.

[Nickkohl]

How do I wrap him properly in this burrito? Can you describe the process? Thanks!

[Nickkohl]

He also wriggles a lot when I go to pick him up, even when he is properly supported in the butt and all so I am scared of having someone hold him and then when I go to cut his nail he might suddenly move and I might hurt him

[BlueMoods]

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/21/PID/940/Default.aspx

That page has links to how to wrap your bunny for nail cliping. You may also want a soft scarf to fold up and tie over his eyes to blindfold him, they are calmer when blindfolded.

Also, work with getting him used to sitting quietly in your lap. place him and give him a small bite of a treat every 30 second he sits there. Increase the time he has to stay to get a treat slowly. Soon your bunny will sit for 20 to 30 minutes waiting for that treat, and, while he sits, pet and pick up his feet, don’t pull or force him to let you hold a foot, just work up to it. It will take time and a lot of patience from you but, you can teach him to sit patiently while you clip his nails, wipe dirt off his feet or, whatever else you need to do to them.

[Katie779]

I’m having the same problem, so I cant offer any advice, but my Holly is having her first vet check up next week and I plan to have the vet show me the proper way to securely hold her. If that doesnt work she might be going to the vet for her nail clippings. 

[Katie779]

BlueMoods, those are great instructions!!

[Nickkohl]

Thanks for the advice! How would I work him up to sitting in my lap? He’s very curious and doesn’t sit still and if I put him on my lap he walks straight off hahha

[Nickkohl]

Oh and whenever I try to view the info section for this site I get a blank page. Which browser is best to view the link on? Google chrome is refusing to show me anything. Thanks!

[Elrohwen]

One thing that helps is to take them to a new part of the house, as bunnies tend to get still when they are unsure. I bring mine into the kitchen and sit them on the counter.

It really is much easier to have a helper hold your bun. They can hold him up off the ground, or you can do it on a kitchen counter with someone holding him down by the shoulders (a towel can help here too).

It can take a while to get comfortable holding your bun (since most really don’t like it!) and clipping nails. I took mine to the vet for a few years until I was comfortable doing it at home. You can always take him to the vet once and ask them to show you how to do it and get tips for holding him.

[Nickkohl]

Thanks so much! I’ll be sure to try everything out once I get home

[BlueMoods]

Put him in your lap, offer a treat immediately but do not let him run off with the treat ( a carrot stick or fresh banana works well.) he has to sit in your lap to be able to eat it. nex time hold the treat out of range for a few seconds, then let him have a bite. Gradually he will wait longer and longer for that treat, knowing he has to be in your lap to get any of it. He’ll be intent on the treat and won’t notice you toughing his feet, by the time he does notice, it’s simply a normal thing he does with you so, it’s no big deal to him.

He’s learning that laps and having his feet handled is a good thing, it’s pleasurable, gets him treats and a relaxed, happy human paying attention to him. Now getting him to stay out of your lap once he gets it, well that could be a problem LOL. Oh well it’s a good problem to have.

[Nickkohl]

Thanks that sounds like a great idea! I’ll try to see if he will eat from my lap. Whenever he is out of the cage he doesn’t eat until he had totally investigated every nook and cranny haha

[Author]

Messages