What the best way to pick Oreo up?

[3crazybuns]

 So today is the day that I clip all my animals nails, I have a day every month set aside for that, since I’ve only had Oreo about a month or so I thought I would start including him in this. BUT my problem is, he fights every time I pick him up. He really gets upset, and I don’t want him to get hurt by it, I’ve heard they can break their backs really easily. What would be the best way to do it, without making it really stressful for him, but easier for me? Thanks so much!

[wendyzski]

Check out this video on How To Make A Bunny Burrito.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3okPKg9Fc8

It’s pretty much what I use for nail trims – it took some getting used to to be able to get one leg out at a time, but I do it sitting on the floor or on the couch so if she does start flailing she can’t fall far.

[3crazybuns]

THANKS!!!! This is very helpful. The fun part will be getting him on the towel. LOL

[RabbitPam]

You could spread the towel out and put a treat on one side and just let him walk onto it.

[sgregory]

what ive done is thrown the blanket/towel on top of my bunny. she loves playing in them anyway, so it doesnt upset her. then i just scoop the towel underneath her and pick her up.

[Miyuki]

For the burrito I usually have to try to do the front first because my bunny likes to try to run forward. Then I fold the back. See how Oreo does and adjust accordingly .

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Or try putting him on a towel on a countertop. Usually they get freaked out and will just sit there if they are in a weird spot like the counter. I hate nail clipping, Ruffles bled the last time we did it. Yuck, rabbit blood…

[Elrohwen]

My fiance picks Otto up with one hand around his chest and one under his bottom, then, with his stomach facing out towards me, I clip his back feet. He won’t let me do his front feet this way and struggles too much, so we’re still trying to come up with the best way to do the front feet. Here’s what has worked so far: I sit with my legs out straight in front of me and pick him up and set him on my lap (he doesn’t mind the quick pick up; I’m not sure if Oreo would let you do that). I sit him with his head towards me, then quickly flip him on his back with his back feet towards me. While he’s on his back, we cover his face with a blanket so he can’t see, then I do his front feet. He’s not tranced or anything, but he lets me get it done eventually.

So I guess I haven’t really figured it out yet! We’re trying to do it every two weeks or so and I’m hoping that eventually he gets used to it (if his nails are super short already, I just pretend to clip them). At least last time we tried he didn’t seem mad at us afterwards despite the 20mins of nail clipping torture

[3crazybuns]

 Thank you all!!! His nails are as long as I thought they where…they are white, so it makes it easy to see the quick, but what I thought where his nails, was actually his fur  (**laughs at self!**) So I think we can go another week, and I’m hoping by then he will have his neuter appointment… and I will just let them do it for me the first time!  

The problem I have with him, is he was OBVIOUSLY abused at some point, and it makes him VERY nervous when you touch him around his hind quarters. Anytime I’ve tried to pick him up he freaks out really bad!  It really makes me upset, and I don’t want to make him worse. He trusts me some I know, because he looks to me for food, wants me to pet him all the time, but not pick him up. I know I’m going to have to at some point, thats just a given, but for now, I’m just really working on getting him to let me touch his back end without freaking out, and we will go from there I guess! Any and all suggestions are MUCH appreciated!!! 

[Adalaide]

I guess I’m the only dork here who’s too chicken to do it myself. Freya sees the vet on Thursday, and the vet will do it for her then. After that it’s only $11.50 to take her in to get it done. I’m way scared of hurting her and I’ve tried the whole bunny burrito thing and Freya freaks out. Better to let her go to someone with a clue and experience. Maybe one day I’ll get brave enough, but til then we’ll get a trip to the vet every month.

[RabbitPam]

Adalaide, you’re not a dork, and not alone. I guess you never saw Beka’s method of clipping nails. I paraphrase, but it went like this:

Insert rabbit into carrier.
Drive to vet.
Pay vet.

My kind of nail trim!

[Author]

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