How to clip nails of a bunny that doesn't like to be held

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This topic has 5sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by Linette.

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- 04/06/2014 at 7:25 PM
  Frankie and Cash
  Participant
  28 posts
  Our rescue bunny, Frankie, needs to have her nail clipped; however, while friendly and sociable, Frankie doesn’t like to be petted or held. We’ve read posts saying it’s okay to trance a bunny to clip their nails, while other posts say to you should never put your bunny in a trance. But if your bunny doesn’t like to be touched or held, other than one person holding her down, while a second person tries to hold her paw and clip her nails, how can one safely clip her nails? This will be the first time we will be clipping her nails. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
- 04/07/2014 at 2:40 PM
  Frankie and Cash
  Participant
  28 posts
  Please help! thanks
- 04/07/2014 at 2:44 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Here’s a link to a video that may have an idea that can help you:
  
  http://www.howcast.com/videos/514678-How-to-Trim-Your-Rabbits-Nails-Pet-Rabbits
- 04/07/2014 at 3:20 PM
  Sindri
  Participant
  1515 posts
  I got tired of trying to cut my rabbit’s nails and take them to the vet and have them cut it is well worth it and it is around $10. It took less than 5 minutes to clip my 2 rabbits nails. If you can check your vets office and see how much it costs or even ask them to show you a good way.
- 04/07/2014 at 3:20 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  One of mine hates to be held, though she doesn’t mind touching if her feet are on the ground, which helps. One of us holds her down on the kitchen counter (usually with a towel to lightly wrap her up and cover her eyes) while the other one pulls out feet and clips them. I personally haven’t found a good way to clip nails without a helper, unless the bunny is very docile.
- 04/07/2014 at 10:02 PM
  Linette
  Participant
  114 posts
  If you know what you are doing and the rabbit is a size easily handled, then it’s no harm to hold them “in a trance” to clip nails, check bottoms and teeth. But if you don’t have experience or someone who does to show you, don’t do it. You can get badly scratched and bunny can hurt it’s back.
  
  This is what I do with my guy (he’s big ) I put a folded towel on top of the washing machine, then put him on it, and clip his nails that way. He’s high enough up and in a strange room so he is less likely to jump off like he would a low chair or my lap. I lean over him, so he is sort of tucked (but not tight) under my arm and cut with his feet all solidly on the towel, so he feels secure.
  
  Also (I know your gal doesn’t like petting, but it might help others) when we are hanging out and I am petting him, I play with his paws etc so he gets used to be handling them. I’ll pet his head and my other hand will be “holding’ his little paw and touching his nails. So it’s not like the only time his paws get touched is nail clipping time, so he has less negative associations with it.
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