Nail trim help

[Enh98]

I need to trim remi’s nails but am nervous as I’ve never done it before. I don’t even trim my dogs nails, I take them to the vet. Any tips for a non traumatic nail trim session?

[Valkyrie]

Merlin HATED having his nails clipped! And he didn’t particularly like being held either. To trim his nails we used to sit him on my husband’s lap and give him the treat container. Mer would bury his head into the treats and start munching away so he barely noticed as I clipped his nails; well usually. You may have to only do one foot a day until both of you get used to the experience. It is easier to see the quick (the pink part) in rabbits than dogs so you have an advantage there. Since you are a beginner, I also suggested cutting loose, meaning don’t cut too close to the quick in case he moves his foot as you snip.

If you are nervous, maybe you should take your bunny to the vet like you do your dog. Even if it is just the first couple of times and you can learn by watching the vet.

[Dobby]

Dobby hates having his nails trimmed but we are getting better at it. I have used this method – http://rabbit.org/tellington-ttouch-for-a-happy-and-healthy-rabbit/ – a couple of times before clipping and that seems to help.

I’ve also just let Dobby get out all of his aggression and fear on a fleece blanket that I have on my lap while I clip his nails. I don’t let him leave my lap but between clips I let him dig and bite at the blanket as much as he wants. We are also locked in the bathroom while this is going on so he knows he can’t get far if he leaves my lap. When he settles down again I clip a few more nails. This seems to keep him less squirmy during the actual clipping part.

I also find that if I do it every couple of weeks instead of every month, he is better during the process. I don’t know if he gets used to it more or not. Then I also can make smaller cuts and not worry as much about the quick, which is helpful because he has dark nails.

After the first few times I clipped his nails I thought I was going to have to find a groomer to start doing it because it was so stressful. But we got through it and I am much more relaxed about it now. So I’m sure you’ll be fine.

[RabbitPam]

The best recommendations I know are 1. using a bunny burrito, where you wrap a bunny in a towel with only their head sticking out, then gently pull out one paw at a time (sometimes you need to rewrap for access) and trim the nails. Best done by 2 people. 2. Sit on the floor and set your bunny between your legs facing away from you, gently holding him in place between your thighs. You can use a treat or lettuce for munching while you then press down firmly but gently on his shoulders with one hand, (dominance move) then take a paw and cut nails while he’s between your legs holding still.

My frequent and best recommendation is the PRESS/PRESS/CLIP technique. Once you have the paw in hand, set the scissors against the nail, and press it, but do NOT clip the first time. Continue to hold, press again, then on the third press clip it through. If you have gone too low on the nail, you will touch the quik, a vein that will bleed and hurt. If you touch the quik on the first press, your bunny will jerk his paw away hard. This will help you find a new spot that closer to the tip and not hit the quik again. It’s especially helpful for dark nailed bunnies where you can’t see the color change that indicates the place of the quik. Do this with every toe until finished. If you manage to trim without ever cutting the quik, causing bleeding and pain, your bunny will be more cooperative the next time.

And have a small dish of plain corn starch (the stuff in your baking supplies) in case he does bleed. Apply it to a bleeding toe to absorb and stop it. A styptic pen is also used (my vet did). corn starch is also safe when bunny licks his wound.

[Dobby]

I do think it’s important to point out that, while it’s might be helpful to have another person, it is possible to do it by yourself. Some people don’t have another person they can call on every month.

[Enh98]

Thank you all! I was nervous for nothing! Remi sat calmly in my lap and let me clip with no problem. I used the press press clip method and everything went smoothly!

[Author]

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