Living as a wild rabbit as compared to living as a pet rabbit is pretty different. Despite the fact that they both need nail upkeep, they must go about obtaining it in different ways.
When it comes to keeping up with your bunny’s nail cutting requirements, you’re in charge as the owner. Rabbits that are allowed to wander freely may keep their nails clipped on their own.
In order to keep your rabbit’s nails short without cutting, you may try giving them a rough surface to scratch or dig upon. This will help them in trimming down their nails naturally.
In this article we will inform you all about trimming your bunny’s nails. So, keep reading!
Can Bunnies Naturally Trim Their Nails?
Yes, bunnies can naturally trim their nails. Wild rabbits are known to spend a lot of time digging in the dirt to find food. For many rabbits living in the wild, burrow building is an important component of their daily lives. Wild rabbits spend the majority of their time excavating sophisticated burrow communities.
This is referred to as warrens, in which they live and breed. With all of their digging and scratching about in the soil, these wild rabbits are practically eroding the nails on their feet. This prevents them from ever becoming too lengthy.
Most domestic rabbits are far less physically active than their wild counterparts. This is especially true for rabbits in the wild. No matter whether they’re fleeing from imagined dangers in the distance or on their way to forage, their nails come into contact with hard surfaces.
Living in the wild is beneficial for rabbits as their nails are kept tidy and clipped while they are running on surfaces. Their nails also get naturally trimmed during activities such as regular burrow digging.
How Do Rabbits Naturally Trim Their Nails?
Wild rabbits live a very active life which helps them in trimming their nails naturally. The digging, running, and scratching that rabbits do in the wild keeps their nails short. It also prevents them from being infected with disease.
Since rabbits in the wild continue to use their nails for various activities, it gets trimmed on it’s own.
How Do I Trim My Rabbit’s Nails Naturally?
To aid in keeping your pet’s nails clipped naturally, give him the opportunity to walk about on anything with a rough texture. Make sure he walks on it on a daily basis.
You may put a slab of plywood within his cage. This may help him trim his nails naturally. He may be able to easily keep his front nails if you do this.
How Do I Trim My Rabbit’s Nails?
Collect all of the things you will need in order to trim your rabbit’s nails. Also, get a companion who will assist you in holding your rabbit.
Once you’ve prepared your rabbit for a nail trim, you don’t want to have to start and stop again.
In order to trim your rabbit’s nails, you will need the following:
- Decent set of nail clippers developed specifically for cats or rabbits
- Towel
- Styptic powder. This should be opened in case you accidentally clip a nail too short.
- Treats for your rabbit
Have your holder ready. Wrapping your rabbit in a towel can assist to keep him quiet and secure while you are working. A rabbit may kick and injure or even shatter it’s back. Therefore, make sure you are handling them properly.
If they begin to resist, you should halt the procedure. Set your bunny back down and try again after your rabbit has calmed down a little. You may use treats to encourage your rabbit to be swaddled in the towel.
Only the tips of your rabbit’s nails should be trimmed after he has been wrapped in a towel. It is considerably preferable to trim a tiny bit rather than trying to cut a large quantity at once when the nails get too long.
Cut just before the pink blood supply if your rabbit’s nails are clear or white. Never cut too deep since it will cause your rabbit to bleed and be painful for him.
To make the cut, hold the clippers against the nail where the cut will be made. Slowly press the trimmers to cut the nail. If the rabbit flinches, bring the trimmers a little closer to the tip of the nail to prevent further injury. To prevent crushing the nail, make the cut with a forceful, fast motion.
Don’t be alarmed if you accidentally cut the nail too short. To stop the bleeding, apply a little amount of styptic powder to the end of the nail. While cutting too deep is painful, the styptic powder has a numbing chemical that will bring comfort to your rabbit.
Also, the nail will grow out in a relatively short period of time. If you accidently cut a nail too short, there is no need to be concerned. Everyone who routinely trims their pet’s nails has trimmed one too short at some point. Therefore, don’t think that you’ll be unable to trim nails in the future if you do get one too short.
These methods should be repeated for all of your rabbit’s nails. If your rabbit is suffering or the procedure is taking longer than expected, take a break. This is particularly vital if you are using a towel to bind your rabbit in order to prevent him from becoming overheated.
Once you have finished cutting as many toes as your rabbit will allow, rapidly inspect all of the nails to make sure none are bleeding. Do it before releasing your rabbit from your grasp. Lastly, remember to reward your bunny with positive reinforcement and training.
Can You Use Hair Clippers On Rabbits?
No, you should not cut your rabbit’s hair with hair clippers. If you have a fluffy rabbit, it is preferable to get clippers that are specifically designed for rabbits. This is because human clippers do not deal well with the wool found in the rabbit’s coat.
Purchase an angora blade and the angora comb in order to make your work simpler. If the rabbit has to be stripped down to its bare bones, clippers come in handy.
If the clippers cannot be used safely in some regions, such as around the tail and face, scissors and comb may be used in combination with the clippers. Start with a little section and work your way up until you feel secure enough to proceed. When working with clippers, it is more convenient to set the rabbit on a table with a non-slip surface and operate from there. However, make sure the power line is kept out of the reach of curious teeth.
Should I Clip My Rabbit’s Nails By Myself?
When it comes to clipping your rabbit’s nails, you may be thinking if you can teach yourself how to carefully cut the nails of your rabbit at home. You may also think it is a job that should be left to the professionals, such as vets and groomers.
The typical rabbit’s nails have to be cut once every four to six weeks. Therefore, the expenditures of grooming your rabbit may soon pile up.
Yes, you may clip your rabbit’s nails by yourself. The most effective method, according to us, is to have your veterinarian demonstrate the most humane method of trimming your rabbit’s nails.
Even the most inexperienced person can learn to maintain their rabbit’s claws securely trimmed. They may learn to do it with a little expert coaching and the appropriate technique.
Therefore, head over to your veterinarian clinic and get help on how to correctly trim your bunny’s nails.
How To Choose The Best Nail Clippers for Your Rabbit?
In order to choose the best nail clippers for your rabbit, consider the following:
1. Grip
Non-slip grips keep your scissors precisely where you need these. It prevents any sliding or repositioning from taking place as you work. Nail clippers constructed of low-quality materials will often lack this function. This might result in unpleasant mishaps.
2. Blade
Sharp blades are perhaps the most important feature of nail clippers. Without them you will be more likely to chip or shatter your rabbit’s nails as you cut them down.
3. Material
Durable materials and workmanship will ensure that your nail clippers remain intact.
What Are The Different Types of Nail Clippers?
The different types of nail clippers are:
1. Cutter Clipper
Cutter clippers in the scissor type do just as their name suggests. Because they cut from both sides, they are more suited for rabbits with thick and robust nails. You can use these clippers on large breeds.
2. Guillotine Clipper
Guillotine clippers employ a single blade to cut across an aperture. They are a fast and convenient solution for tiny and fidgety rabbits.
3. Grinders
Grinders have been promoted for use on both big and small pets. However, because of their high-speed vibration and disagreeable noise, they are not recommended for use on rabbits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If I Don’t Cut My Rabbit’s Nails?
If you leave your rabbit’s nails uncut for an extended period of time, the blood supply will continue to grow out with the nail. This will make it more difficult to cut the nail to the proper length.
Do Rabbit Claws Need Clipping?
The nails of rabbits should be clipped. If their nails are becoming too long, they should be clipped. Your veterinarian can clip your bunny’s nails and instruct you how to do it safely and at the proper length. It’s crucial not to cut your bunny’s nails too short, since this might result in bleeding and discomfort.
Are Angora Rabbits Shaved?
Angora rabbits, which have very soft, thick coats, are not slaughtered for their fur. However, the animals’ hair is shaved or plucked. Then it is spun into a plush yarn fiber.
Final Words
When it comes to maintaining your pet rabbit, nail clipping is an absolute must. Rabbit nails grow continually. Thus if they are not being worn down by the elements outdoors, they will need to be clipped using nail clippers on a regular basis.
In the event that you have never cut a rabbit’s nails before and do not have someone to assist, you may wish to seek assistance from a pet groomer. If you have a baby rabbit, make sure you take advantage of the chance to begin clipping their nails while they are still young. Do it on a regular basis so that they may get used to it as soon as possible.
If you have any more queries regarding your bunny’s grooming habits, drop them in the comment section below. We will answer them soon!
