Can you cut your rabbit's nails?

Yes! You should cut your rabbit's nails regularly as part of regular at-home grooming and health screening.

Why - If you don't clip your bunny's nails, they'll grow too long and injury will result. For example, the nail could get easily caught and torn out. Or, the long nails could cause the rabbit to stand with more pressure on the back of the feet, resulting in a condition called "sore hocks."

How - You can cut the nails with the proper pet nail clippers, but you have to be careful not to cut the quick. If you cut the quick, you will hurt your rabbit and the nail will bleed a lot. The quick is easy to see in light-colored nails: it's the dark line inside the nail. Clip above the quick.

Sit your rabbit on a towel (on your lap, on the ground, or on a table surface) and hold her firmly. Some rabbits won't sit still and will need to be restrained. Have someone with you to help. Simply covering the rabbit's eyes may be enough to calm her; if not, something more advanced will be necessary. Next time you're at the vet's, ask them to show you how to restrain your rabbit. You can also type the phrase "bunny burrito" into a search engine and you will find helpful instructions.

In dark nails, the quick is hard to see. You could try this:

• Shine a penlight on the nail from below, and the quick will become visible
• Use the squeeze-squeeze-clip method: close the clippers around the nail, and firmly squeeze it three times, but don't clip it off until the third squeeze. If your rabbit jerks away when you first squeeze it, stop and try again higher up on the nail, because you were probably on the quick.

First Aid - If you accidentally cut the quick, don't panic. Your rabbit will soon forget the pain and the blood looks scarier than it really is. Just apply a dab of blood-stop powder with a cotton swab (for example, styptic powder from the store, or plain cornstarch or flour can also work), then apply pressure with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops. It's okay if your rabbit licks the nail afterwards, but watch to make sure the bleeding doesn't start up again.

Supplies -

• Pet nail clipper
• Clean cloth
• Penlight
• Styptic powder (or cornstarch, or flour)
• Clean towel

Other Answers

You probably could, but it's pretty pointless!