Clipping Nails
Rabbits’ nails should be clipped at least once a month. They should always be clipped before a show our of respect for the judge. At the next show you go to take a look at the judges’ wrist. You’ll notice about all judges ware wristbands to help protect their wrist.
For clipping nails, it’s best to use dog or cat nail clippers. If you don’t have them you can use people nail clippers. These normally shatter the nails though.
Take your rabbit and place it on it’s back in-between your legs. If your rabbit will not hold still, have someone help you by holding the ears and chest of the rabbit.
If your rabbit has white nails, this makes it easier for clipping. You will be able to see the blood vessel in the nail, this is called the quick. You do not want to cut past this as the rabbit will bleed.
If your rabbit has black nails, it’s best to just cut the tips of these, as to not go past the quick (which you can’t see). Some nail clippers have a tipper, which is good for this.
They also have what’s called the “horn nail”. These are nails that look white, but on the top the nail has a black line. This common on some breeds and varieties like the Harlequin. You usually can see some of the quick, more so than on a all black nail.
If you do go past the quick, you need to pinch off the nail to cut off the blood circulation. At most feed stores that sell “Quick Stop” which will make it to immediately stop. |
