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Trimming Your Rabbit’s Nails
What to learn
What to learn
What to learn
Learn:
● Nail trimming equipment needed
● Steps to trimming their nails
● How to handle problems
Included on this page are the steps to trimming a rabbit’s nails. This can be a one or two person task. This page shows steps for one person, but another person can hold the rabbit during trimming
Goal
What to learn
What to learn
The goal of trimming your rabbit’s nails is for the safety of both you and your rabbit. If nails are not trimmed, they can easily get caught in hutch wire, show table carpet, clothes and many other things. This will lead to broken nails, missing nails and broken toes. Trim nails to keep your rabbit safe. You are less prone to scratches when nails are trimmed.
Nail Trimmers
What to learn
Nail Trimmers
Trim with dog nail trimmers.
Where to cut?
Where to cut?
Nail Trimmers
Trim the nail casing not the quick.
Where to cut?
Where to cut?
Where to cut?
Do not cut the quick (red part).
Cutting the quick causes blood to drip.
Steps to trimming nails
Step 1: Place the rabbit on a carpet square (or covered table).
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Step 1: Place the rabbit on a carpet square (or covered table).
Make sure that the table is tall enough to make it comfortable for both you and the rabbit.
Step 2: Turn the rabbit over.
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Step 1: Place the rabbit on a carpet square (or covered table).
(If you need practice, look at the "Turning Over Your Rabbit" page.)
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair, so you can see how far you need to trim.
Step 4: Push your index finger into the base of the toes and start trimming.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Step 3: Press your thumb into the base of the toes to push the nails out past the hair
Trim the rest of the toenails on the rear foot.
Step 5: Go to the front legs and press your thumb into the base of the toes.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Steps 6: Push your index finger into the base and cut each of the front nails.
Step 7
Step 8: Turn the rabbit over
Step 7
On certain rabbits it may be possible to trim the nails without pressing into the base of the toes. The nails have been trimmed without pressing in the base in this picture.
Step 8: Turn the rabbit over
Step 7
Sometimes you need to press into the center of the foot to get the nails out to cut.
Step 8: Turn the rabbit over
Step 8: Turn the rabbit over
Step 8: Turn the rabbit over
Step 8: Turn the rabbit back over
You have trimmed all of the nails, so you can turn over and return the rabbit to the hutch.
Be Prepared
Calm Your Rabbit
Calm Your Rabbit
Have paper towels available in case you accidently cut the nail too far. Hold paper towel on the nail until the bleeding stops. There are also products for animals designed to stop bleeding.
Calm Your Rabbit
Calm Your Rabbit
Calm Your Rabbit
You will need to calm the rabbit if you accidently cut a nail too short. The best way to do this is by securing the rabbit and making it feel safe. Covering the eyes can help.
If you cut too short, use Quick Stop, corn starch and/or apply a paper towel until the bleeding has clotted.
Colored vs. White Nails
Colored Front Nails
Colored Front Nails
Colored Front Nails
A rabbit’s nails can be either colored or translucent (appear white), depending on the breed and variety. It is easier to see the quick on nails that are white, but the quick can be seen on colored nails as well.
Colored Rear Nails
Colored Front Nails
Colored Front Nails
White Front Nails
White Front Nails
White Front Nails
White Rear Nails
White Front Nails
White Front Nails
