Nail Clippers?

[Lucky Star]

I took my rabbits to the vet today to get their nails trimmed. They HATE the car ride there (my last rabbit ADORED car rides, so I never had this issue). For several months I took them to the vet to get their nails trimmed because I did not want to damage our relationship if I hurt one of them. However, I think that the car ride is now more damaging to our relationship than trimming their nails and missing would be. 

So I have decided to begin to learn how to trim their nails myself. Any tips are welcomed, but specifically, what nail trimmer is best? Both of my rabbits are netherland dwarf mixes (small rabbits), one has light nails and one has dark nails. 

Is there a good one for beginners or just a good one for rabbits in general? They all look like hardware tools to me and I have a hard time figuring out which one would actually be a humane tool to be used on a rabbit. 

Also, has anyone used a nail grinder type tool on a rabbit? I don’t know whether that would be better (smaller chance of hitting the quick) or if it makes noise and alarms the rabbit, or if it is even meant for rabbits at all. 

[MoveDiagonally]

I use cat nail clippers. They look like scissors. 

If your bunny has light nails you can usually see the quick and avoid it. If they have darker nails you can sometimes use a flashlight to see through them but I’ve always had success with the “press and clip” method. This is where you place the clippers on the nail where you are going to cut and press down without cutting. If you’re in danger of clipping the quick most rabbits react/try to pull their paw away. If they don’t react to it it’s usually safe to clip. 

If you do hit the quick at some point don’t beat yourself up too much. I’ve done it once and I felt terrible but a few craisins later all was forgiven.  

[michelleann31]

Yeah that’s what we use too on our buns, very easy and there are even some great YouTube videos you can watch as well to help you.

[Lucky Star]

Move Diagonally- Is there a specific brand that you would suggest?

[MoveDiagonally]

The ones I have are from Super Pet. I think most brands would probably work out fine. I only selected this one because I was buying something on amazon and the scissors were a $2.99 “add in” item. Lol.

[Stickerbunny]

Yeah, those are what I use too, MD. Mine came from petsmart though and cost me $8 … but they are probably the same exact thing.

[manic_muncher]

I use human toenail clippers on Bumpy (holding at 90 degree angle with the blades cutting side to side), since I can see his quicks very easily.

Also, if you accidentally make them bleed, a little corn starch pressed (and held) against the bleeding will make it stop.

[LongEaredLions]

I use those nail clippers too. The one thing I would say is they don’t work very well for bunnies with really thick nails. For those nails some dog nail clippers are great.
Corn starch or flour will work for stopping the bleeding. Crasins are good to request forgiveness.

[Lucky Star]

Ok, thanks everyone for the help! Does anyone have any opinions/experience with these trimmers? They appeared to have the best reviews on amazon:

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-509669/?utm_source=AMZ&utm_medium=Prod&utm_term=11442-509669&utm_campaign=PPC#product_tab_stage

http://www.amazon.com/Resco-Chrome-Original-Trimmer-Medium/dp/B005CN33OK/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Nail-Clipper-Medium-Large/dp/B00DV6X57K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Safari-Professional-Trimmer-Small-Medium/dp/B0002RJM8C/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1403036032&sr=1-4&keywords=rabbit+nail+clippers

Thanks again everyone!

[LongEaredLions]

The first one is great, if you have a small bunny. The last two are great for larger nails. You can use the second one two, but it might be a bit more difficult. I would go to the third or forth.

[Lucky Star]

LongEaredLions- I have two netherland dwarf mixes, so they are both relatively small (but larger than my previous mini-rex). Will the last two work for a smaller rabbit?

[MoveDiagonally]

The dog clippers might be too large for a small rabbit. I would go with the first one.

[Lucky Star]

Ok, thanks MoveDiagonally!

[Deleted User]

Now a days technology has reached at an enhance level where you need some sensors for working at the borders of nail cutting of any animal.

[Author]

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