They should be happy to show you how it's done safely so you will be able to do it in future. There is a vein and a nerve running up each nail that has to be avoided. It's known as the 'quick' and if it gets cut it will be painful for the rabbit and there will be a lot of blood.
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 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.
If a rabbit's nails grow too long, they'll curl inwards towards the underside of the foot and can cause damage. Long nails are also more likely to get caught on things, which can impair your bunny's movement or cause accidents (and sometimes scratch your furniture!)
You can use treats to reward your rabbit and entice them to be swaddled in the towel. Once your rabbit is wrapped in the towel and has calmed down, trim only the tip of the nails. It is far better to trim just a small amount frequently than to try and trim off a lot once the nails get too long.
There's no single appropriate length for rabbit toenails. Some people give their long-haired bunnies a nail trim when the nails reach beyond the fur of their feet. Other people prefer to do their rabbit's nails, clipping when they see them start curling. The important thing is, when you trim nails, trim only the tip.
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.
A rabbit's nails should be clipped every 3-4 weeks at the least.
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 you want to help your pet keep his nails trim just as his wild counterparts do, allow him the chance to move around on something with a hard texture every day. If you place a slab of plywood, for example, inside of his enclosure, it might allow him the opportunity to easily maintain his front nails.
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.
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.
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.
Cutting the quick will cause your pet to experience some pain, and he/she will bleed. Some rabbits' nails are quite dark, so you will need a small flashlight to see it. If you do accidentally trim the nails too short, use flour or styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Some bunnies are startled by the sound of clipping.
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.
It usually costs me $30 at a vet. So I'd say anything over $40 is WAY too much. I'll ususally do it myself, but once in a while I'll take them to House Rabbit Society. I think they charge $10.00 per bun.
Reality: carrots shouldn't be a main source of food. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets.
Although many rabbit bites are defensive, some rabbits may bite aggressively for a variety of reasons. Rabbit bites can be painful and serious. If a bite bleeds excessively, shows symptoms of infection, or concerns you in any way, it's best to seek medical attention.
A female rabbit is called a doe. A male rabbit is called a buck. A baby rabbit is called a kit.
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.