my rabbit has a panic attack whenever i cut his nails

[Fuzzibunni]

 i just cut them and he never relaxes when i hold him on his back. he panics and flips out like im trying to murder him or something. i do make sure to hold him securely so he so he doesnt hurt himself, but he still manages to hurt me. *sigh* is there any way i could get him to relax when i hold him to cut his nails? when i was cutting then earlier he sounded like he was stuggling to breathe because he was in such a panic. i feel so bad, i dont like my baby all scared. 

 

i know that you can “hypnotize” rabbits when theyre on their back but spazzy doesnt do that. he hates being on his back. my other rabbit was able to be hypnotized. 

[Beka27]

Have you tried just holding him upright and trimming? Or holding him and having your mom trim? Trancing can actually be more stressful for rabbits, and as you said, not all buns do it.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My bunny Olivia is the same way. She acts like I’m pulling her toes off and I’ve been her loving Mom for over 3 years now! The best and only method to do her nails is to get my bf to hold her on his shoulder (like he’s burping a baby). Sometimes if she’s extra stressed-out we will wrap a towel snugly around her. Then I trim her nails. I only do 1 or 2 feet per night until they are all clipped. Trying to do all 4 at once can result in her actually jumping out of bf’s arms onto me.

Make sure the person holding him is prepared in case he tries to jump out of their arms as bunnies have zero common sense when they are scared. And always give a tasty treat right after you are done.

[Huckleberry]

LPT, that is a good idea that I think more than one of us will be trying 😉

[Fuzzibunni]

i always give him a treat when he’s done with the clipping. sadly my parents are usually too busy when im ready to cut his nails. i guess ill try and wrap him in a blanket when im cutting from now on.

[Lani]

My bun is the same way, she acts like its torture to get her nails clipped. I definitely recommend using a towel or blanket to keep your bun more secure. I always need help with the back feet though so I’ve made an arrangement with my mom, she helps with the back feet and I help her with something, usually I cook dinner that night. Maybe you can make that kind of proposal to your parents? Offer to do an extra chore or something in exchange for their help?

[RabbitPam]

I don’t recommend flipping on the back since the bunny can suddenly decide to flip back over, usually in a panic or when startled, and that can lead to a very serious injury.
I recommend a bunny burrito, and I use a large bath towel for it. If someone else can be there to hold your bunny it’s even better. They all act like it’s torture.

[Elrohwen]

Neither of my bunnies will lay quietly on their back – I would try a different technique, as I find each bunny prefers it a different way. One of mine is quiet if I hold him facing away from me while somebody trims. The other hates to be picked up and is only calm if she’s on a solid surface, kind of wrapped up in a blanket, while I pull out one foot at a time.

None of them like it, but if you try different methods you’ll find something that works. I also recommend having a helper – I couldn’t do either of mine by myself.

[KatnipCrzy]

trimming my bunnies nails is a two person job- it goes quickly and easily then.

[Bella`s Mom]

Hi!  This is my first post.  I finally trimmed Bella`s nails on my own tonight.  I work at a Vet Clinic, so have taken her there the other times.  I just sat on the couch, put a pillow on my lap and faced her away from me.  She didn`t like it, but it worked.  I left them a little long, just to be on the safe side.  I also had to lick my fingers to push the fur back from around her nails, that really helped.  Just take your time, and try not to be scared.  Good luck!

Rebecca

PS I have special scissors that are meant for trimming cat`s nails, they work quite well.

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