Any alternative to nail trimming?

[Vinnie D.]

Nel always gives me such a hard time about nail trims, and I never get it all the way done.  Most methods I’ve found involve 2 people, one to hold the rabbit and the other to do the trimming but as I’m single, and none of my friends are patient enough for bunnies I have to do this haphazard sneaking and trimming where I can only really trim the worst offending claws (particularly the thumb claws on the front feet which since they don’t touch the ground can get pretty out of hand.

 

I was wondering if there’s maybe a natural alternative where the rabbit’s claws could just wear down as would a wild rabbit’s.  She loves to dig, so I’m thinking maybe giving her some cheap carpet samples as a sort of bunny scratching mat.  Has anyone tried this?  The cats have a scratching post and their claws never seem to overgrow, so maybe it’s worth trying.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t think so….

How bout, take your bunny for a car ride, then hop in the back seat and try doing his nails? Maybe if he’s stressed a bit he’ll behave!

[Beka27]

there’s no alternative for a house rabbit i don’t believe. even carpet wouldn’t be able to grind them down. the rabbit would most likely chew the carpet rather than dig… at least for any length of time. i’d be more worried about a nail getting broken or pulled off.

i take my rabbit to the vet once a month and the nurse trims her nails. it costs be 16 bucks, but it’s so much easier for me that way. i can ask my husband to help me trim, and he says, “yeah sure, of course… how ’bout tomorrow?” but he never can seem to get around to it. so i said, “fine… we’ll just have to pay every month.” and he seems to prefer that.

[JK]

Yeah I just take Edson to the rescue as they do nail trims, scent gland cleaning (don’t forget that lovely chore), ear cleaning and grooming for $15! A bargain. But I swear I am going to try this myself. The trick is to get them wedged between your thighs on their backs really tight so they can’t move. It looked so easy when they did Edson but I am sure I will have a heckuva time!

[skunklionshow]

Actually, cats still require claw trims.  When they use a scratching post, it is to remove the “sheath” of the claw.  So they really aren’t gnawing them down, just removing the out covering.

[bunnylovep]

maybe just file their nails down???

[BinkyBunny]

Filing can actually be more stressful! You’d have to file quite a bit to get down to wear you should be clipping it.

Have you tried covering you bunny’s eyes (works for my bunny Jack) and offering favorite treats during this time?

You should also make sure to trim them regularly because the quick can grow long within the nail. It’s better to have that fleshy part full of nerves SHORT.

You also may practice getting him used to just being put in the position without cutting his nails.  Give him treat, keep him calm as best you can and let him go.  

Because of my bunny Bailey’s illness, I have to give her a butt bath everyday. Though she is not fond of them, she is now very calm and just waits for it to be over.   So maybe if you just get him used to it over time, he’ll get better.

EDITED: I forgot to address the carpet digging idea.   Carpet doesn’t actually wear down the nails like they should be worn down.  They wear the nail down into a sharp point.  This actually can be harmful if it gets too pointy as it can easily become hooked on things which can cause a nail break, a nail to be completely pulled out, a dislocated toe, or even broken toe.

[wendyzski]

I had a terrible time with it at first and I don’t have anyone to help me, so I just knuckled down and did it.  I’ve gotten better over time, but it’s certainly not fun for either of us.  Think we need to do it again tonight, as I have a huge scratch across my chest from giving her ear drops this morning.

[Heath]

I know for cats, the little claw coverings that you can buy at a petstore really work. I wonder if those’d work for rabbits too?

[MooBunnay]

Have you tried the bunny “burrito” ? I usually wrap my bunnies in a towel or a sheet to do their front feet. When I get to the back feet I do what BinkyBunny mentioned and cover their eyes with the towel. It seems to help calm them down a bit. The bunny that tolerates it the best is my bunny Kramer, who I’ve been picking up since he was little, so I agree that picking them up and putting them into the “nail trim” position you use, and then feeding some treats afterwards would be a good way to get them used to the idea.

[Vinnie D.]

Thanks for the replies. Guess I’ll go with the vet route. I’ve tried the bunny burrito thing but Nel is quite the escape artist and hates being restrained (the cause of the nail trimming problems in the first place). Even when she lets me hold her I’m on a roughly 1 minute timer until bunny tooth and claw explosion.

Sneaking a clip when I can has kept them from getting dangerously long but it forces me to do it almost every day as I may only get one or two claws before she realizes what’s going on and darts off, and I’m so worried I might hurt her if she darts at the wrong moment.

Best to let a professional handle it I suppose…and let a professional deal with the horrors of angry bunny teeth.

[Gravehearted]

Vinnie – also if you have a local rabbit rescue, many of them will do it as a fund raiser. you might want to call and ask

[Beka27]

i’ve found too that the ride to the vet is enough to sedate them a bit at the vet’s office. makes it much easier for them.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Bunny nails are very frustrating. My buns will hold still for a second but the minute I put the nail in the clipper, they yank it back out again. It takes a lot of time but I feel a car ride every month would be too much stress on Stormy.

I had wondered about filing too as I am very afraid to cut the nails too short and often leave them longer than I want to. Maybe I will try filing them down a bit after the trim. Well tonight is nail trim night so I will try it.

[BinkyBunny]

LittlePuffyTail – just curious to see how the nail filing went.

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