Trimming Toenails
Rabbits' toenails grow very quickly and need to be taken care
of on a regular basis.. Long, sharp nails can easily scratch
through your skin and ruin your clothes. Not only do they pose a
threat to you, but your rabbit can easily break their nails off on
the cage floor or during handling if they are allowed to grow too
long. A missing nail means an unshowable rabbit.
You'll need to get a toenail clippers - either the human kind
or the pet kind will work. It doesn't matter, they'll both get the
job done.
There are two ways to do this...
The "Two Man" Method
This works great for inexperienced rabbit owners, smaller children
or nervous rabbits. Standing at a carpeted table or sitting in a
chair, have the rabbit facing you. Place one hand on the shoulders
of the rabbit and wrap your thumb in front of their ears. Squeeze
the ears between your finger and thumb, keeping the palm of your
hand on the shoulders for support. With your other hand placed on
the rump of the rabbit, scoop the rabbit's bottom under it and
towards you, and rotate the head away from you. Don't lift up with
the hand that's on the ears, just keep it there for support.
Remove your hand from the rabbit's rump and allow
it to rest on the table or in your lap. Have your assistant clip
the nails, leaving you with two hands to control your rabbit if it
begins to squirm.
The "One Man" Method
While sitting in a chair, flip your rabbit over as described
above. Place the rabbit's body between your legs and hold the
head between your knees. You may want to apply some pressure to
hold the rabbit into place. By using this method you will free up
your hands so you can clip the nails by yourself.
Clipping the Nails
To clip the nails, press your thumb into one of the paws,
it will cause the nails to curl around your finger. There are 5 nails
on the front feet, and 4 on the back. Take the clippers and slide it over the nail. You
should notice a pinkish area - this is called the quick. This is
the "meat" of the toenail and if you clip into it, the
rabbit will bleed just like if you would clip your own nails too
short. On rabbits with white or light colored toenails, you'll be
able to spot this area very easily. On rabbits with dark nails it
may take some time to find, but it's there. It helps if you're in a
well lit area too.
Clip off each of the nails, being careful not to
go too deep. If you happen to cut into the quick the rabbit will
bleed. Just apply pressure with a paper towel until the bleeding stops.
Styptic powder may also be used, but it isn't necessary. You
should clip the nails on a monthly basis. The first few times you
do it, the rabbit will be nervous - but eventually the animal will
get use to it, and so will you.
Article written by Mindy Borer
Rabbit Registrar #RR473
www.TranquilAcresRabbitry.com
|
