How to cut the nails of 'the evil one'?

Azraelm · Apr 28, 2006

Although Hann is now happy for me to sit and stroke him without food bribery

, he defiently doesn't like the idea of being touched anywhere else (feet) and picking up is out of the question. Problem is he will need his nails cutting eventually.

Luckily the vets did it 4 weeks ago for me when he was under anaesthetic for his neuter. How often do you all tend to do yours?
I'm confident doing it as I do my other bunnies regularily.

I have some gloves, so do you think its worth just trying to keep on the floor and cutting them? Am still fearful of his gnashers and I don't want to set our 'bonding' back by upsetting him...

elve · Apr 28, 2006

I've never had to cut any of the girls nails as they live on concrete outside, but I had to cut Tia and Benny's - never done it before and I was terrified as I don't handle my rabbits at all really. Tia's seem to grow really fast, she's a nethie - Benny's got long over winter, presumably because he bacame a hutch potato in the bad weather.

I remembered what our wise Tamsin said (didn't even involve a treat ball :shock: ) that they behave better if you put them up on a table, like if they are at the vets - somewhere different so they feel a bit nervous, seems to make them quieter and more easy to handle - certainly worked with Benny and I'll try it next time with Tia as she was a nightmare to handle. I just did Benny's front feet as I didn't want to spoil a good thing - you could even just do one foot at a time, once a week.

Azraelm · Apr 28, 2006

Benny's got long over winter, presumably because he bacame a hutch potato in the bad weather. [/quote]
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Thank you, that sounds like a really good idea. And also explains something to me...he's been to the vets for his neuter and two follow ups and each time I've said "oohh be careful...he bites really hard!!" and he was very well behaved and made me look a bit silly :shock:

naturestee · Apr 28, 2006

I know a lot of people use a "bunny burrito." You pick the rabbit up and set him down on a flat towel, then wrap the towel around his sides and legs. Not tightly though, just enough to make him feel somewhat confined. Then you move one paw out at a time and trim those nails, put that paw back in and take another one out.

I've never done this. I have a hubby! :wink: :lol: One of us holds the bun, and the other cuts. Even with the hand-hating Sprite it's easy for on person to be in total control of the bunny and make them feel safe and secure.

I cut their nails every month or two. Mine are all inside, and digging in newspaper and cardboard doesn't wear down their nails much. :roll:

doorkeeper · Apr 28, 2006

If they were done 4 weeks ago you don't need to worry for a while. As long as they are done every three months they won't get too long. With these difficult rabbits it is best not to bother them too much. Then hopefully they will forget they want to bite you. Zebs did 8) Now he just associates me with food and comes running. He still makes me nervous though :? I never reach into the hutch for the food bowl without wondering if he is going to bite me. I usually throw a piece of carrot or apple into the bedroom area to get him out of the way before I fill it.

Snowflakes mummy · Apr 28, 2006

I do it whilst nose rubbing lol!
Mine cant resist a nose rub, you put your hand anywhere near her and shes on the floor with her head on the carpet waiting lol.! That works for her front ones...
Back ones hmm well they get done really quickly if I can... I flip her over she lays in my / my mums arms and we do it quickly.
But saying all that I have only done her nails once lol

How to cut the nails of 'the evil one'?

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper

elve

Banned

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper

naturestee

Alpha Buck

doorkeeper

Mama Doe

Snowflakes mummy

Mama Doe

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