I'm Terrified Of My Rabbits - Please Help !

I'm not a good pet owner. I have recently realised this and I'm trying desperately to change that.

I've realised that the biggest problem is I'm terrified of my rabbits. I know that sounds stupid, but its true.

When I first got them I tried so hard. I brought them inside and sat them on my lap, tried picking them up , trimmed their claws. It was a nightmare. They'd kick and scratch I could tell they never really liked any of it.

To be honest, after a while I gave up. I know that's terrible. Awful. But doing these things was such a nightmare that I made myself dread them. It's now been about a year and I'm ashamed to admit they haven't had their nails trimmed in all that time , or been held. I have interacted with them. But it's been minimal. I can't ever imagine picking them up now. I know rabbits often don't like it but I really need to trim their claws and I can't take them to the vets to have it done.

I'm not worried when I just sit with them but haven't even attempted picking them up.

Should I bond more with them first before trying to pick them up

i hope someone can come along to advise. i have four seven-year old mini lops. i don't spend time cuddling them for the sake of it, except for the one who asks, i give him a cuddle when he wants one. i've just groomed all four and done their nails, though and they took it very well. just be practical and go for it. they need the attention, they can't do it themselves.

Why can you not take them to the vets to have their claws trimmed? If you do that it will really take the pressure off of you, then you can start slowly building a trusting relationship with them.

It will be a slow process, but totally worth it. Start by just sitting with them when they're out playing or in their run. Don't try to stroke them or touch them atall for a good few weeks. Let them come over and explore you (rabbits are very inquisitive by nature) and basically ignore them so that they learn you're not a threat. After a couple of weeks you could try offering them a treat from your hand and giving them gentle strokes, but if they move away stop immediately, don't pursue the issue.

The thing to always keep in mind is that they are prey animals, so any contact needs to be on their terms or they feel threatened and will avoid you.

After a while you will develop a bond with them and learn to trust each other. Picking them up may never be easy, 2 of mine are an absolute nightmare to handle even though they're very friendly and love to be stroked etc. I always get my OH to help me with nail cuttings. Is there anyone who could help you? It's much easier if one of you is holding the rabbit still and the other is doing the nail trimming.

I hope that helps a bit :wave:

Why can't you take them to the vets to have it done? :wave:

I'm not ashamed to say I haven't picked my rabbits up in quite a while either. They don't like it, it would only be for my benefit. They like their paws on the ground so I lie down on the floor and talk to them instead. They sniff at me, stand on my back, lick my arm etc. All very nice and no need for picking up. They also like to take treats from my hand and accept nose rubs.

When it comes to trimming nails, I feel your pain. They don't go totally mental but we can see that they don't enjoy it and I get quite upset for them. They're little troopers though and it only takes a few minutes (my boyfriend holds them securely and I do the nails, we take a short break to calm them down if needs be) and actually, once it's over they sometimes stick around for some fussing. Alfie stayed on boyfriend's lap for a good 15 minutes last time while I brushed out all of his moulting fur. He was so relaxed he fell asleep at one point, I thought I'd stepped into some sort of alternate reality :lol:

Are they neutered? That's definitely the first step, as hormones often cause a bun to be jumpy and aggressive. The next step is to make sure they've got a decent setup with plenty of space and enrichment. If they're confined to a hutch they're far more likely to be territorial and timid. What are their favourite treats? Fresh herbs are good for training, as they're strong smelling and delicious. Approach them calmly and softly call *their names*/'bun bun bun!'/'dinner!' or whatever, and offer them the herbs. Do this several times throughout the day and they'll begin to associate you yummy things, and it won't be long before they come running to your call. Then you can start sitting in their run with them. Take a magazine or something if you think you'll get bored, and plenty of bunny treats. Call them over, reward them and just sit there and let them get used to you. Gradually you'll be able to work up to stroking them and then to handling them. Until they really trust you though, I wouldn't recommend trying to pick them up. If their claws need doing herd them into a carrier and get the vet to do it. It may take a while for them to get close to you, but I'm sure with determination and persistence you'll get there!

Thank you for the help. Any advice on the best way To trim their claws? The reason I can't take them to the vets is because I can't drive (too young), and my mums too busy to take them. There is no bus that stops near the vets and just trust me i can't get them there for now.

I could try and get my mum to help me, that's what we did before, but I think she is also quite scared of it. The thing is we were just so worried we would hurt them or they would hurt themselves etc

How about a taxi?

The best way is, as mentioned, to have someone help by holding the rabbit. I like to do it on a table because A) they're on solid ground so feel a bit more secure and B) I can kneel down and then the nails are at eye level. So I'd get my OH to pick them up and plop them on the table, then he'd firmly but gently hold them in place, trying to keep them calm with strokes and maybe a treat or two. If they're really not enjoying it, cover their faces with a light towel/fleece, that can sometimes help. I'd then get down to my knees, hold the toe with one hand and cut the nail with the other. It's not a good idea to do it alone really, you can't keep a hold of the rabbit and his paw/toe at the same time, in which case the nail is just going to bend and you're either not going to be able to cut through it or you're going to slip and cut too much.



White nails are easy because you can see the kwik, black nails are a bit trickier. You can use a light underneath the nail but that's not always possible, so it's best to take a little off and do it quite often rather than take a lot and risk bleeding.

Daffodils said:

Thank you for the help. Any advice on the best way To trim their claws? The reason I can't take them to the vets is because I can't drive (too young), and my mums too busy to take them. There is no bus that stops near the vets and just trust me i can't get them there for now.

I could try and get my mum to help me, that's what we did before, but I think she is also quite scared of it. The thing is we were just so worried we would hurt them or they would hurt themselves etc

Click to expand...

Oh dear, I'm sorry your mum isn't supportive. It's not very responsible of her, but there's not much you can do about it.

Do you have any friends whose parents could give you a lift?

Are you able to take them to a pets at home? They can trim nails for about £5 each. Your mum might be more willing to take them there.

What sort of setup are they in? I've found rabbits are more likely to lash out if they are in small hutches and feel they can't run away. Having a run attached and sitting with them is best, plus bribe them with veg. As everyone here has said, the majority of rabbits hate being handled and that is normal! But once they trust you, they love having their nose rubbed.

I hope you can turn this around and make the rabbits lives better and your bond with them much better!

Hoppit! said:

Oh dear, I'm sorry your mum isn't supportive. It's not very responsible of her, but there's not much you can do about it.

Do you have any friends whose parents could give you a lift?

Click to expand...

It's not that she isn't supportive , sorry if I made it sound like that. She actually just bought me a brand new rabbit hutch.

I really can't get to the vets. Can't afford a taxi and don't really have any friends who can take me.

Thank you

Thank you for the diagram you posted - really helped !

It's also really great to know pets at home do it as we live close to one and I think she would mind going there a lot less.

We've always brought them inside and put them on someone's lap and tipped them sort of upside down to do it. But I'm thinking it'd be better to do it outside now. I suppose they don't like the stress of moving somewhere unfamiliar and having their nails trimmed at the same time.

They're in quite a big run and I honestly think catching them without chasing them will be the hardest part, any ideas? Is it a good idea to wait until they go inside the hutch and then close the door ? Or will that panic them ?

Daffodils said:

It's not that she isn't supportive , sorry if I made it sound like that. She actually just bought me a brand new rabbit hutch.

I really can't get to the vets. Can't afford a taxi and don't really have any friends who can take me.

Thank you

Click to expand...

I usually get my buns nails trimmed when they go to the vets for their vacinations.
If bunnies nails are too long it can cause sores on the feet due to them sitting awkwardly.
To get bunnies calmer around you sit with them with some tasty herbs and only pet them when they come over to say hi.

If you sit with them and gradually build up the attention you give them they'll get used to you and associate you with nice things.
When you feel confident you can try trimming the nails, but it would probably be better to see a vet do it properly so you have an idea of how firm to be with your buns.
It's all about practice, buns don't really like being picked up, in fact some hate it.
But if you are confident in your handling then you'll find it easier to handle them when they need it.

Okay, I understand the situation you are in. Whereabouts are you? Perhaps myself or a fellow member could come over and help you understand and ideally get your bunnies to bond with you. Don't give up any hope as there is always help available on this forum. At the moment I'm can't be on here very often as I am an animal carer who specialises in caring for bunnies, and all my days are fully booked caring for them, but I do try to log on to RU for a few minutes a day.

Daffodils said:

Thank you for the diagram you posted - really helped !

It's also really great to know pets at home do it as we live close to one and I think she would mind going there a lot less.

We've always brought them inside and put them on someone's lap and tipped them sort of upside down to do it. But I'm thinking it'd be better to do it outside now. I suppose they don't like the stress of moving somewhere unfamiliar and having their nails trimmed at the same time.

They're in quite a big run and I honestly think catching them without chasing them will be the hardest part, any ideas? Is it a good idea to wait until they go inside the hutch and then close the door ? Or will that panic them ?

Click to expand...

a pet carrier with tasty treats and just shut the door behind them will be the easiest way to catch them to bring them inside for nail trimming.
Please don't put bunny on their backs ever unless there really is no other way at all and bun is in danger otherwise.
It laes them in a state of terror it's called tonic immobility.
Basically they get so scared they stiffen their muscles and play dead.
This may explain why your buns are so against being handled, if they're worried you're going to tip them upside down, they won't allow you to come near them xx

Marley has black nails and on youtube someone did a squeeze test. They'd squeeze the clippers slightly and if bunny flinches, you don't cut. It also leaves a little white mark so you know where you were last time and can avoid it. Mia wasmuch worse at the vets so I did them myself last time.

Quick question, how often are you suppose to do it? I didn't realise if you cut them then you can progressively get them shorter. How long would you leave between cuts for the kwik to receed? They don't have abnormal nails by far but I never seem to be able to get much off Mia's and this must be why as shes a rescue I doubt she had them clipped before the rescue.

I always seem to clip them sharp too!

Interesting stuff.

kazz said:

Marley has black nails and on youtube someone did a squeeze test. They'd squeeze the clippers slightly and if bunny flinches, you don't cut. It also leaves a little white mark so you know where you were last time and can avoid it. Mia wasmuch worse at the vets so I did them myself last time.

Quick question, how often are you suppose to do it? I didn't realise if you cut them then you can progressively get them shorter. How long would you leave between cuts for the kwik to receed? They don't have abnormal nails by far but I never seem to be able to get much off Mia's and this must be why as shes a rescue I doubt she had them clipped before the rescue.

I always seem to clip them sharp too!

Interesting stuff.

Click to expand...

I have read that filing the nail is a more effective way of getting the kwik to receed, it can be done a little at a time every other day. Don't ask me how you're meant to file a bunnies nails :lol:

chloeturner said:

I have read that filing the nail is a more effective way of getting the kwik to receed, it can be done a little at a time every other day. Don't ask me how you're meant to file a bunnies nails :lol:

Click to expand...

with one of those v shaped dog nail files

Whereabouts do you live? Maybe a kind forum member whose seasoned with rabbits could come over and help you and your mum and show you how to handle them.

If you were near me I'd gladly give you and your mum a lift to my vets

catxx said:

Whereabouts do you live? Maybe a kind forum member whose seasoned with rabbits could come over and help you and your mum and show you how to handle them.

If you were near me I'd gladly give you and your mum a lift to my vets

Click to expand...

Thats so sweet thank you to both the people who offered to come and see me in person. The only problem is my mum would probably have a fit if I ever even mentioned meeting someone off the Internet, yknow cause of stranger danger and all that haha but thanks so much

natsusakura said:

Please don't put bunny on their backs ever unless there really is no other way at all and bun is in danger otherwise.
It laes them in a state of terror it's called tonic immobility.
Basically they get so scared they stiffen their muscles and play dead.
This may explain why your buns are so against being handled, if they're worried you're going to tip them upside down, they won't allow you to come near them xx

Click to expand...

Oh wow I had no idea. Thanks so much for telling me. So what position would be best for trimming nails ?