If you don't trim or cut your pet rabbit's nails the blood supply in their nails, the quick, will continue to grow out with the nail. This will make it harder for you to trim it in the future when the length becomes too long. Long nails will make your rabbit prone to nail injuries and overall discomfort.
Rabbit nails should be trimmed as required. This can vary between individual rabbits, but basically, if they are getting too long they can be trimmed. Your vet can trim the nails and show you how to do it safely and what length is suitable. It's important not to trim too short as this can cause bleeding and pain.
If a rabbit's nails get long, it changes the angle at which it puts its feet down. This may not sound like a big concern but it is very important as it can add extra wear on the joints because they are moving in an unnatural way. Long nails can get snagged easily and can be torn, sometimes right out of the nail bed.
How often to trim your rabbit's nails. Most rabbit nails will need to be trimmed every 1 to 2 months. Rabbits that are given areas with rough flooring or places they can dig into will be able to wear down their nails a little bit in their daily life. Therefore they might not need their nails trimmed as often.
If you're super uncomfortable clipping your rabbit's nails on your own, vets will usually do it for about $5. Of course, it is much easier for you and less stressful for your rabbit to do it at home.
Nail trimming is a necessary part of grooming your pet rabbit. Rabbit nails continuously grow (just like their teeth) so if they are not naturally wearing them down outside they will need to be trimmed using nail clippers.
Scratching posts are great ways to naturally wear down your rabbit's ever growing nails while giving them different textures and shapes to interact with. Posts are usually made of wood, natural fibers, or cardboard.
Wrap your rabbit in a towel.
Gently wrap your rabbit in an old towel before you begin trimming its nails. Go slowly as you wrap your rabbit in the towel. Your rabbit may be frightened or squirm slightly. Talk softly to your rabbit throughout the process to keep it calm.
Digging and Nail Trimming
They spend much of their time digging -- and living in -- elaborate communities of burrows, which are called warrens. By doing all of this digging around in the dirt, these wild rabbits essentially erode their nails. This keeps them from ever growing overly long.
You need to clip approximately 2mm past the end of this – if you clip the nail too short you will make the quick bleed. This can be painful for the rabbit, so try to avoid it.
Always handle your rabbits gently and carefully. Always use a pair of special rabbit nail clippers. Don't use scissors or human nail clippers, as they will damage rabbit claws.
A torn or bleeding rabbit nail can be treated by applying pressure to the toe. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 30-60 seconds, use cornstarch or styptic powder to help stem the flow. Once the bleeding stops, you can allow your rabbit to lick their toe and take care of themselves.
Few like being held or carried as being so high up from the ground makes them feel insecure, however, many will happily sit on your lap or snuggle up next to you for a cuddle. It is best to let your rabbit initiate this i.e. sit on the ground and let them approach you.
If your rabbit's claws are getting long you can either clip them yourself with nail clippers or ask Vets4Pets to give you a hand. The 'quick' (the bundle of blood vessels and nerves within the nail) can often be seen in pale nails – make sure to cut beyond the end of this.
If a rabbit's nails get too long, they can break or crack and cause the rabbit pain or even create an opportunity for infection. Often when a rabbit's nails become too long, they change the mechanics of the way rabbits walk and turn their toes sideways which can be painful or lead to other problems.
The nose, face, cheeks, and ears seem like safe areas to try. Under the chin might or might not be a problem area, depending on the rabbit. The back is likely safe. The belly, feet, and rear end seem like no-go areas.
Insider spoke to veterinarians about some things you should never do to your pet rabbit. Don't keep your rabbit's cage directly in the sun or pick them up by their underarms or chest. Always make sure your rabbit has somewhere to hide.
Rabbits are a social species and have evolved to live in groups. In the wild, rabbits do not live alone. Rabbits kept as companions are not biologically different from their wild counterparts and so their innate need to be kept in the company of other rabbits is just as strong.
If a rabbit scratches or bites your child, they could develop a reaction or infection. This is the most common child health problem with rabbits. To reduce the risk of bites and scratches: get advice from your vet about claw trimming.
In some cases where the tissue is exposed, it can develop an infection to the injured area. If you see any redness or a swelling develops within the area, have your veterinarian examine your rabbit. You can prevent this type of injury by trimming your rabbit's nails regularly.
Caring for your pet rabbit
It is important that you understand all the requirements for caring for a rabbit before you buy one. Rabbits generally live for 5 to 8 years depending on their environment and breed, but they can live for as long as 12 years.
Do rabbits need their teeth trimmed? A rabbit with healthy teeth does not need to have them trimmed. Usually they will be able to maintain healthy teeth on their own with ample hay and chew toys. However, sometimes rabbit teeth do overgrow and will need to be trimmed by a trained professional.