As a responsible owner of a pet, their nail trimming is an essential part of maintaining the overall general health of your pet. If you leave your pet’s nails untrimmed, it may increase the risk of them being snagged or becoming overgrown. Nails also start curving into the paw pads, leading to potential infections, pain, and mobility concerns.
How frequently, pets require nail trimming?
Generally, the nail-trimming period is different for different pets. Like kittens and puppies need their nails to be trimmed after every 10 to 14 days and adult cats and dogs need nail trimming approximately after every six weeks.
However, there are so many factors that can cause variation in the time length between nail trims for pets such as:
- Indoor vs. outdoor pet
- The surface pet spend most of their time on
- Nutrition
In any case, it is necessary to follow a rule of thumb, your pet’s nails should not be getting caught in things or clicking on the floor as they walk and should be trimmed before they are touching the ground.
Clipping Rabbit’s Nails:
Trimming your pet rabbit’s nails looks like a daunting task, and usually, rabbit owners choose to let their veterinarian handle it. But, frequent vet visits can be expensive because a rabbit’s nails grow continually. If you leave their nails untreated, they can cause infection or pain and become unmanageable.
Pet rabbits have a different habitat than rabbits living in a natural environment. They are not able to dig and wear down their claws inside the home. That is why their nails invariably grow too long. It is essential to keep your bunny’s nails at an appropriate length. It would help if you trimmed the nails of your furry friend every month to help him stay healthy and happy.
Why is it tough to trim the pet rabbit’s nails?
Pet rabbits become quite stressed when you attempt to trim their nails. Rabbits are afraid of nail trimming because of being fearful and anxious about the trimming process. To get your furry friend used to have their paws handled for nail trims, you need to be a little tricky and have to try desensitization.
The process of desensitization involves a gradual practice of getting the Rabbit used to nail trimming. This procedure involves two small incremental steps:
- Rewarding the calm and peaceful behavior
- Ignoring the unwanted behavior by stopping the nail trimming session immediately
How to prepare your Rabbit for clipping its nails?
It is essential to make your furry friend prepare for clipping their nails before starting the procedure. You have to emphasize positive reinforcement by completing the following procedure a daily routine. Hopefully, just within a few days or a week or two, your Rabbit will feel comfortable with this to make it easy for you to trim their nails with ease. With the right tools and proper technique, nail trimming will become a care-free part of your Rabbit’s grooming procedure:
- Rub your Rabbit’s legs up and down with your hands.
- If you find them comfortable with this practice, try to hold their every paw and press each toe gently.
- Perform both of these procedures with lots of praise and treatment.
Nail trimming supplies:
The supplies that are required to trim your Rabbit’s nails are:
Nail Clipper:
You need a proper nail clipper with a round edge to trim your bunny’s nails regularly.
Small Flashlight:
You have to examine the vein located in your Rabbit’s nails that is called “Quick.” You should avoid cutting this vein. Otherwise, it will cause your Rabbit to experience pain, or they will bleed also. Sometimes rabbits have quite dark nails; therefore, you will need a small flashlight to see them quickly.
Styptic powder:
This powder is used to stop bleeding in case you accidentally cut the quick. You can also use flour in case of not having styptic powder.
Grooming brush or glove:
To gently remove excess fur, this supply is effective when your Rabbit is shedding.
Tricks to trim your Rabbit’s nails:
Choose the option of clipping your Rabbit’s nails with a partner. This is the more comfortable option as your partner will have the job of keeping Rabbit calm and still, while you will use the clipper to trim their nails. Follow the following steps to complete the task of cutting the nails of your furry friend.
- Proper handling is a must while trimming your Rabbit’s nails; otherwise, your pet can kick and injure her back if she struggles.
- Keep her close to your body wrapped in a towel, lay it upside down with her head lower than the rest of her body. This position puts her into a “trance-like” or calmer state.
- Cut each nail of your Rabbit at an angle facing upward. It must be about 1/8 inch above where you can see the visible vein. It is better to use a flashlight in any way to avoid any mishap.
- Try to be quick and confident with each cut and make sure to cut approximately two millimeters away from the quick.
- Cut the nail through firmly; otherwise, Rabbit may become frightened and start to thrash and squirm.
- Repeat the entire process carefully and make sure you get nails on all four paws.
- After finishing your task, give your Rabbit a treat. Giving her a treat is the way to make him associate with the discomfort of nail clipping, and she will be calmer and relaxed in the future.
How to treat an injured quickly?
With all care and attentiveness, sometimes you might accidentally cut into the quick. In such a situation, first, try to restrain your Rabbit. Put gentle pressure on the bleeding nail, and it will help to clot and heal faster. Wipe away the blood with a clean gauze or paper towel and press a pinch of the styptic powder or flour directly on the tip of the bleeding nail.
Conclusion:
Don’t forget! If your Rabbit gets too worked up, try to break for a treat or some cuddles until she calms down. To prevent overgrown nails and injuries, trim your Rabbit’s nails every four to six weeks. More often, clipping or trimming will prevent the quick from growing out too much with the pin. Your Rabbit’s nails may or may not end up growing back, but she will surely be able to get around without a problem.