claw clipping

[Nicki]

So Harlequeen isn’t shy but she isn’t tame either, if you sit on the floor with some treats you can stroke her no problem but picking up is a big no no. When it comes to clipping her claws obviously she has to be picked up and held which involves my boyfriend holding firmly but kindly and me clipping her claws in between some major struggling which results in a couple scratches and my self, my boyfriend and my flat being covered in fur.

She isn’t traumatized by any of this and after a couple seconds of hiding will happily hop back over to us.

Basically my question is are there any ways that I could clip her claws with less struggling and less hair expulsion?

cheers muchly

X

[RabbitPam]

Yes!
I just had the same adventure two days ago with my Samantha, who also is resistant to being held. I was able to get her toenails clipped by myself, and she behaved in a similar way.
First, it is not necessary to pick the bunny up to do it, though if you can pick her up once to set her on a table, like a coffee table, it makes it easier to get them to hold still since it’s unfamiliar.
There are two methods I would recommend: the bunny burrito and getting the dvd from the Rabbit Rescue & Rehab. It is a demonstration of clipping and holding that taught me a way to not clip down to the quick, and how I might eventually hold her with less struggle. Here is their link:
 http://www.rabbitcare.org/video.htm

Edit: scroll up to the green bar to the heading BUNNY INFO. On the drop down menu, select Monthly Maintenance. Scroll down to see the Burrito and close up instructions with nail clipping.

Meanwhile, I resorted to using the bunny burrito method on the floor. It’s where you wrap the bunny in a towel and gently pull out each paw to trim the nails. It works well, especially if you have one other person to hold the bunny in the burrito, stroke her and talk soothingly, and feed little treats while you work.

OK, (FL’s, Isn’t there a really good demo series on Save A Bunny? I can’t locate it quickly.) there was one YouTube video demonstration of a bunny burrito that shows the basics. I would not go so far as to pick up the bunny to cradle it as she shows in the end. All you want is to have someone hold the bunny in the burrito and stroke the head while you get the paws out gently, one at a time. You may have to rewrap to have access to different sides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch

 

[Nicki]

cheers muchly rabbitpam I will deff try the bunny burrito next time claw clipping comes around.

X

[Author]

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