Nail cutting tips for bun who doesn’t like to be handled!

[Deleted User]

So I have decided to try cutting buns nails at home. I don’t want to cause her unnecessary stress by sending her to an unfamiliar place to be held down by strangers as they try to cut at her little paws. She had them cut while under anesthesia for her spay, but that’s the only time they’ve been cut and they are getting long, which I know starts to make them uncomfortable. Ophelia is super sweet, and she loves to cuddle/groom with me, but she is not tolerant AT ALL of being picked up. I’ve seen some people suggest flipping her on her back to put her in a “trance” … but she grunts at me if I touch her tummy at all. I’ve only picked her up a few times because I’m a believer in not doing that unless you have to.

Currently, since she wont let me pick her up, I give her some food bribes on the couch. While she is eating, she will let me pick up her paw and clip 2-3 nails but by then she has gobbled up the snack and is running away. Yesterday I had been giving small snacks every few hours and I managed to get 8 of the front toes cut (she gets upset when I go for the side but is fine for the front 4). Any suggestions for getting nails clipped in a better way? Is it ok if I just do it over a few days, cutting a few at a time whenever she will allow me to?

[Wick & Fable]

It’s completely okay to do it over a few days. Some people keep a diagram of four paws somewhere with their rabbit stuff, so they can check off when each nail has been clipped and keep track! Nothing wrong with doing it in multiple sittings.

As you’ve been finding out, different rabbits will tolerate nail clipping in different ways. Wick gets his nails clip while he’s lounging on the floor, so I don’t pick him up at all. I just pet him while he’s lounged, pull each foot out and clip them as I go.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

Ok good! I wanted to make sure it was ok to do a few at a time, because I didn’t know if cutting some and not others would cause discomfort on the uncut nails or cause the longer ones to break because more pressure is put on them when hopping around. She seems to be tolerating the different lengths just fine. I’ve NEVER cut any animals nails before, so I am just super happy that I didn’t cut the quick!

[Q8bunny]

A technique that works to prevent possible mishaps is to press the nail twice with the scissors before you actually clip. That way the bun will tell you if you’re too close to the quick and it hurts. So take whatever you use to cut nails, place it above the quick line, and then do a quick(ish) PRESS PRESS CLIP

[Deleted User]

Thanks! I read that here, I was just so afraid that I would hurt her my first time!! After a few nails down I got more confident I did a couple more last night so we just have about 6 tosies left! I keep telling her after, “see that wasn’t so bad” (but I’m also telling myself and breathing a sigh of relief lol) I thought it would be a scratching match to get her to let me but if she has food she doesn’t care at all lol

[Q8bunny]

Lucky. Chewie fights like a hellcat. We do his mani-pedis at the vet

[Deleted User]

LMAO he does have a feisty look in his eye

[Q8bunny]

Yep. One head toss and I know it’s game on.

[Author]

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