How do I clip a bun’s nails!?

[felmotes]

I clip my dog’s nails regularly. She’s pretty easy-going about it.

But how does one clip a bunny’s nails? Mine are young, and I’ve just recently gotten them. I barely hold them, let alone clip their nails. But I noticed lately that their nails are getting long.

So how do you clip your bun’s nails? Do you have help? Is there a certain way you hold them?

By the way, here they are: my 2 girls

[Beka27]

For a long time I took mine to the vet and had them do the nails. For both, it was 24 dollars, which I was both able and willing to pay for not having to do it myself. Recently, my husband was laid off from work and our income cut drastically. So, I managed to clip them by myself. I hold a bunny upright, sort of against my chest and half tucked under my arm. With the other hand I clip all the nails on that side, top and bottom. Then I switch the bun over to my other arm, and clip the nails on the other side, top and bottom. I do this in another room that they do not go in, the change of scenery confuses them just enough that they stay pretty still. If i were to do it in the living room, or bunny room, I think they would freak out a little bit more. I’ve never had much luck with trancing or burrito wrapping, so I won’t give advice on those methods. Other people can do it that way, so I’ll let them share their experiences.

Now if you have a willing, adult participant, you can do the same thing, but one person securely hold, the other carefully clip. That would be easier than holding and clipping by yourself… but my husband doesn’t like to be viewed as “the bad guy” so he won’t willingly help me and I hate nagging him.

[Deleted User]

I do kind of like Beka said to do with one of our buns. I hold him in my lap upright against my chest and get my hubby to clip his nails. With our other bun there is no way she’ll let me hold her like that or any other way so we have to take her to the vet to get it done. It costs us $12 Canadian to get it done.

Your buns are ADORABLE by the way

[mrmac]

When I cut my buns nails I lay them on my legs with my feet on the floor and rub their head a little then clip!…mind you they dont care for it exactly and I have acquired many scratches from it but I have found that laying mine in my lap is easier for my buns. I like to put like my wrist over their chest kind of just to keep them somewhat secure. Your buns are sooo cute!!!

[KatnipCrzy]

I know that some people are able to “trance” their bunnies and lay the bunny on their back on top of their lap while they are sitting (there are many videos posted online of people trancing bunnies).  I have not had any luck with trancing- all of my bunnies seem to snap out of it too quickly and they dislike it. 

I have found it easier to do with 2 people- my husband sits on the couch and holds the rabbit against him- the rabbits back is cradled against him and one hand is holding the back feet and one hand holding the front feet or chest.  I take one foot out of my husbands grip at a time to trim.  It is important to keep a hold of the back feet as that is what they can get some real power to kick with.  And you want to avoid the rabbit kicking and struggling as their backs are more sensitive than a dogs or cats.  If a bunny really gets kicking or twisting it is better to safely release the rabbit onto the couch than to continue to hold them if they are panicing. 

Usually my husband has a blanket on his lap/chest as it seems to make the bunny feel more secure as it helps them to fit more securely against them.  If you are unsure you could always take your bunny to the vet to have it done but ask for a demo on holding and clipping.

It takes less than a minute and when we release the bunnies onto the couch 2 out of 3 of our bunnies thump their displeasure.  Rabbits nails can grow so long so quickly- my bunnies are usually on carpet and fleece blankets- rarely any truly hard surface that could even wear their nails down.  So I trim my bunnies nail monthly- and every month it is needed.  I found that I remember easier now that I made the rule that on the 1st of the month when my dogs get their heartworm pill, my bunnies get their nails trimmed (and scent glands cleaned every 2-3 months as needed).

[BunnyMuffin]

For me, my methods vary depending on which bunny I’m working with and that bunny’s mood at the time. It seems like something different works every time. The most important thing is that you feel calm and confident or else they’ll pick up on your nervousness and feel more nervous themselves – which reduces the cooperation significantly.

Noelle wants nothing to do with being upside down, so I always find a way to do hers without flipping her. Just however she’ll let me hold her that day without putting up a fuss. Sometimes she’ll lay on the floor and let me pull out one foot at a time to clip the nails. Other times I hold her in a “sit-up” (periscope) position against my body and do it that way with her feet facing out. I used to try the towel burrito method with her, but she got really warm and stressed with it, so I stopped doing that. Each bunny is different though, I know that method works for some.

Wally takes a little more man-handling. Sometimes he lets me flip him upside down in my lap and will pull his head up to observe what I’m doing and check things out (so I don’t consider it trancing). Last time he wasn’t having any of that, so I ended up using an arm or my body to keep him put on the ground and grabbing one foot at a time for clipping. It looks a bit like a wrestling match, but it gets the job done!

I also think it’s important to give them a rest when they want it to keep things calm, so make sure you have lots of time and aren’t in a rush. And a second person would definitely help!

Best of luck!

[KatnipCrzy]

My husband does not want to be the “meanie”- so he will hold and I will trim.  I end up being the main bad guy because they can see me and what I am doing to them.  Even though they know he is the one holding them I think they blame me more because I am the one that is “offending” them more than the “innocent” holder.

[kralspace]

I agree, it depends on the bunny. I have 2 that are very easy to hold on the lap and do them alone.

Pringles is a big feisty girl and my son holds her flat against his chest. She snorts, barks, oinks waps you with her ears but she’s all bluff.

My freaky little lionhead used to be the worst but after his abscess treatments, now once you catch him he gives up.

Now Lola is a different story, every month it’s a different story. Usually I can hold her on my lap and my son cuts them. This month she’s starting a molt and must have the PMS because she’s the crankiest one of all. We tried several ways to keep her comfortable and she wouldn’t put up with any of them. Finally Mike put on a thick longsleeve shirt and tried to cradle her against his chest despite my warning that she was a BB (boob biter). She nailed him not once but three times before he could hand her to me…lol. Looks like he’s got hickies on his chest now.

I wound up with Lola on the kitchen table and it was easy. I think it was a new enough place that she was unsure and stayed quiet.

[jerseygirl]

What a beautiful pair! What are their names?

[kwongo]

Posted By Soliel on 03/19/2009 08:55 AM
I do kind of like Beka said to do with one of our buns. I hold him in my lap upright against my chest and get my hubby to clip his nails. With our other bun there is no way she’ll let me hold her like that or any other way so we have to take her to the vet to get it done. It costs us $12 Canadian to get it done.

Your buns are ADORABLE by the way

 

hey, i noticed you are in toronto. where are you going for the nail clipping? because i am usually in waterloo and go to a vet there for clipping but i have moved to toronto now and vets here charge appointment fees which makes a nail clipping close to a hundred dollars.

thx

[Beka27]

$100 is unbelievable! I hate to think of where they might be overcharging for other services too! My vet charges a “vet tech visit” which is 12 dollars… and the nail trim is 6 dollars for each bun… so $24 dollars total… I would begin searching out other vets in your area, that’s not right.

[kwongo]

yea, it is pretty expensive. sorry, im new to this forum as you can probably tell, is there any way i can directly contact Soleil and i want to take my bunny to get trimmed soon.

[riibu]

Is there a rabbit rescue in your area that could help you out?  We’ll do nail trims for free at our adoption shows.

Although I think I might be forced to stick to going to the vet for Owen’s trims… the one time I tag-teamed with someone to do it at home he tried to gnaw off my face.  It’s only $13, though.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

When I trim Frankie’s nails, I have someone help me and do the “bunny burrito” method – wrap him in a towel, making sure his entire body is covered, especially his eyes. Flip him onto his back on my partner’s lap, and pull one paw out of the towel at a time to clip the nails. Afterward. he’s a bit annoyed, but forgives me as soon as he gets a treat.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh they are CUTE!

I trance to trim-I just find it’s the easiest way. But if they need a trim now, trancing takes some practice and you might want to take them to the vet for the first trim and then practice afterwards

[Author]

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