grooming question

[Ashelee]

ok so I was wondering about grooming.  I am a dog groomer, so I dont know much about grooming rabbits. Last night we trimmed Loki’s nails and she layed very VERY calm on her back in my arms while my boyfriend cut her toenails. I was SSOO Suprised and happy (seeing as I deal with TONS of dogs that come into the salon and HATE their nails being clipped). But I was wondering about the hair on the bottoms of her feet? I know with dogs that having that hair inbetween their pawpads isnt good for them because it causes irritation and such. So I was wondering if the same could be said abour rabbit feet? Just something that crossed my mind last night.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so glad you asked that. Bunny foot fur actually helps protect and pad their feet, so you do NOT want to trim the fur on your bunny’s feet. Unlike dogs that have pads on their feet, bunnies do not have any thick padding on their feet, and the fur actually acts like padding and helps protect their feet. For some bunnies that have less fur on their feet, like Rexes, they are more susceptible to sores on their feet. (especially the heals)

If you, or anyone reading this, finds that the fur gets in the way when trying to trim nails, then wet down the fur and that will help you see the nail clearly.

[Ashelee]

Thank you so much for that info! VERY good to know! she is half rex, but it seems like she got the flemish fur on her feet because she has a TON! haha. but we just moved the fur away from the nails as we trimmed. I was so excited that she was so calm about laying in my arms on her back! Its probably her fav position when being held, if I hold her any other way she gets a little crazy! lol

[MarkBun]

The “on the back’ hold is what is known as ‘trancing’. Rabbits have something programmed into them that if they are turned onto their backs, they go into a semi-catatonic state. This is to fool their attacker into thinking that they’re dead and hopefully they’ll get a chance to get away. Many buns do not like this position (as it is the position that predators put them before eating them) and you can tell by the way they kick and pant heavily as you try to put them onto their backs. Others won’t trance very well.

There are some who believe that you should trance your rabbit only when necessary since it is related to being attacked and if they don’t like being held another way, then you shouldn’t hold them. However, I feel that if the rabbit doesn’t bolt when it untrances, it doesn’t mind being held that way.

[Ashelee]

nope she def doesnt mind it. She doesnt mind being picked up but she calms down when I hold her like a baby. and she doesnt freak out when you go to put her down either.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

There are some who believe that you should trance your rabbit only when necessary since it is related to being attacked and if they don’t like being held another way, then you shouldn’t hold them. However, I feel that if the rabbit doesn’t bolt when it untrances, it doesn’t mind being held that way.

Totally agree It’s like a sleep position when done properly and great for grooming and trimiming nails and cleaing anal glands.

If they don’t hate it-it’s super to use. I’ve never come across a dutch who would trance (Markbun-rock my world and tell me Maryann trances!) and most dwarves I find dont…. Noot is my only bun who won’t (he’s not comfy being held totally) so I just prop him up, but the others have no prob trancing

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