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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE Nail trimming

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    • RoyalElvira
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        My rabbits really do not want me to trim their nails. I adore them, but whenever we try to pick them up, they run or manage to get away. I have even tried the bunny burrito, but they just wiggle out… Its irritating! So I was wondering if there was any way rabbits can trim their nails naturally, so that I do not have to stress them out every month. I assume rabbits in the wild trim theirs naturally, so is there a way house rabbits can? 

        Sorry if this was a dumb question, just tired of stressing the buns out!


      • Roberta
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          Not a dumb question, I have been wondering the same thing myself. Grooming my clowns is a nightmare.


        • LittlePuffyTail
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            Not that I know of. Domestic rabbits need our help with their nails. Most bunnies hate having their nails trimmed.

            The only method that works for my crew is the two-man method. My hubby holds bunny “baby burping style” and I trim the nails one at a time. I usually do the front right and back right one night, then the left side the next night, since it’s less stressful to do half. If the bunny is still struggling, you can try this holding method and wrap a small towel snuggly around bunny and just lift out the foot you need. As always, with anything stressful procedure, I recommend rewarding immediately after with a treat.


          • Beka27
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              Unfortunately, there isn’t. Rabbits in the wild spend their time digging through earth (to create their burrows) and running across uneven and varied terrain. House rabbits won’t encounter the same environment.

              If you absolutely cannot get them trimmed, I’d recommend taking them into the vet and having them trim and show you how to hold them. Then the next month you can try to do it yourself.

              I’ve never done the bunny burrito or trancing when cutting nails. I simply hold my buns under their armpits, around their chest, and then with that same arm, I snug them into my body for support. I do this in the bathroom with the door closed (unfamiliar territory), with a towel on the countertop. If they need a break, I put them down on the towel for a minute and pet them to calm down, but once I start the session, I finish. (I’ve heard of other people who just trim a couple nails here and there, I don’t have time for that… LOL!) I trim as many nails as I can with my right hand (including the left dewclaw), and then I switch them to the other arm for the last couple (and right dewclaw). I can now get both buns “caught”, trimmed, and “released” within about 10 minutes.

              It took me awhile to get a good system down. I used to take them to the vet for all their trims, but that gets expensive, so I taught myself to do it to save the $20 a month.  No one wants to stress out their bunny, but in these situations short-term stress (5-10 minutes) is a good thing and will work to your benefit in getting the job done.


            • smileykyleigh
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                Thank you for the question!
                We are having issues with nail trimming also. The previous owner “ran out of time” to trim his nails before I got him from her, and his back ones are super long.
                I have tried the bunny burrito but he keeps escaping, and I can’t figure out how you even reach their legs when they’re all wrapped up in a towel.
                I asked the previous owner how she did it and she did the same as LittlePuffyTail but said she often did one foot and then had to let him chill for a minute.
                I just want to get it done!


              • RoyalElvira
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                  SmileyKyleigh — I am having the same problem! They always manage to get away from us. I have found that just taking them up to the House Rabbit Society is less stressful for us all. They trim their nails there for me… But i’d like to save my money and find a good way to do it myself!
                  I guess the next thing I will do is take them into a bathroom and try to trim them there, since it is unfamiliar territory. Thanks for your responses, everyone!


                • Elrohwen
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                    I would also recommend taking them to the vet if you can’t do it and it’s too stressful. I took mine for years until I felt comfortable doing it and we found a technique that worked for our rabbits. It definitely requires two people – I’m always very impressed by people who can do it on their own.

                    I bring mine into the kitchen, so it’s a little unfamiliar to them. Otto lets one person hold him, upright with feet sticking out, while the other trims, but it took a couple years to get him comfortable with this (or maybe we just got better at holding him). Hannah refuses to be picked up, so she goes on the kitchen counter and we loosely wrap a towel over her. It’s not really a burrito, just enough that she’s discouraged from escaping. One person holds her down and gets her foot out while the other clips.


                  • Nikolai
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                      One thing that might make it less stressful (for you) is picking up some quik stop – I’ve clipped the quik a couple of times (the first time was AWFUL, it wouldn’t stop bleeding) and it works magic. I’ve heard flour is also good but haven’t tried it. I did try baking powder once and it didn’t work.

                      I get tense trimming the nails because I’m scared of nicking them and I think that translates to them.


                    • tanlover14
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                        My buns are constantly getting out of the bunny burrito, even my vet can’t keep them in like this.. soooo we use the trick my vet used. Bunny burrito them and then slide them between my legs while I’m sitting with knees bent on the floor. I get my feet firmly planted together so if they manage to kick they will only be kicking my legs and now injuring themselves. I have one hand on the chest and then one hand over the eyes, as having a hand over the eyes usually keeps my buns quiet for a few seconds. Long enough to get a few nails done. Two people is a must for this one though — I hold, and my boyfriend slides their little feet out and trims.


                      • mia
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                          If you have shelters around you, some might do them for free. Most adoption events around here have free nail trimming.


                        • NikkiBun
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                            I use the same method as LPT. I have found that if I take them to a different room (neutral territory) in their litter-box instead of carrying them myself they stay calmer. Then when they are picked up they do not want to struggle out of my roommates arms because they do not know where are. Afterward I put them back in the litter-box and carrier them back to their room for a treat. Also it has taken a lots of patients and repetition to be able to get all their nails done in one sitting. I now can get them done in less than 5 mins which is a huge improvement from the first time were i only got one claw before my boy wiggled out of my roomies arms.


                          • thumperluv
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                              My bun hates lying on his back in any way, so I hold his chest and sit him down on my lap so he’s upright, then I use my other hand to trim. It works for thumper, and if he start to wiggle I give him some apple and I clip the nails while he’s busy chewing away


                            • floppybunny123
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                                I get Lilly all relaxed with her favorite brush ( a mitten with rubber bristels on the bottom for dogs from walmart ) until she flops and then I cover her eyes and grab a paw and don’t let go. then I secure her by putting her between my legs and start trimming. I never worry about trimming the quick because I always leave some space between the trimming line and the quick. She usually doesn’t react too much because she is mostly a very chilled, layed back, naughty little wabbit. 


                              • RoyalElvira
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                                  These are all wonderful ideas! We have an appointment to get their nails done next Saturday, but I am going to try to do it myself between now and then. Hopefully I will make SOME progress in getting them to let me cut their nails!


                                • Ava
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                                    Wow, I’ve been spoiled with my bunnies! Even the ones that hated being held, I could quickly do their nails really fast by just laying them on their back on my lap. I only “tranced” if they were nervous and jumpy. With Alvin, I’ve not had any trouble at all until now with his foot problem. Because of his poor paws in their condition, it’s painful for him if I touch them, but his nails have gotten so long, I’ll have no choice but to force the matter. I think I’ll try the bunny burrito, hopefully that will help me get his nails done quickly…


                                  • Jas
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                                      Hi everyone, so i read all your posts…I have gotten the back feet trimmed, but Qiviut is giving me a hard time when trimming her front nails. She lightly nips me. So far I have trimmed one front nail and have 9 more to go. any suggestions for a hold that keep her from squirming any my hand away from her mouth?


                                    • LittlePuffyTail
                                      Moderator
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                                        Hi, Jas. We ask members to please not respond to older threads. This one is from 2013. It can cause confusion.

                                        To answer your question, the only way I can do my bunnies nails is to have my husband hold the bunny, baby burp style. and I do the nails. With my skittish bunny, I do one paw per day for 4 days, and always give a treat after. Nail trimming is def one of the hardest bunny maintenance jobs.

                                        If you have further questions or need more help, please feel free to start a new Thread. I’m going to lock this old thread. Thanks

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                                    Forum DIET & CARE Nail trimming