How to trim the claws of decorative rabbits at home
Cutting the claws of decorative rabbits is considered an important part of pet grooming. This procedure has a number of features. For it to be successful, it is important to prepare the necessary tools in advance and strictly follow a certain sequence of actions. The manipulation should be performed as carefully as possible so as not to violate the integrity of the vessels and not injure the animal.
Why claw trimming is needed
Cutting claws is not very pleasant. But this is an important hygiene procedure that rabbits require. Pets' claws grow quite quickly. They do not cause discomfort to wild animals, since they are erased when driving on rocky ground.
A domestic decorative rabbit should be sure to trim its nails. When driving on a smooth floor, they cannot be grinded. In addition, there are a number of factors that create the need for this procedure:
- The animal can be injured by long claws if it tries to scratch.
- The grown claws prevent the pet from leaning on its hind legs. In this case, the entire weight of his body falls on the heels. This leads to the appearance of corns.
- With a strong regrowth, the claws twist and bend. This leads to discomfort, as a result of which the animal begins to gnaw them.
- The pet can be injured - for example, breaking a finger if it gets caught on the carpet.
What age should you start
It is recommended to trim the nails early enough for the first time. Veterinarians advise to carry out this procedure when the baby rabbit reaches 1.5-2 months.
Optimal cutting frequency
It is recommended to perform the manipulation with an interval of 3 weeks. You can trim it yourself. If in doubt or concern, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian.
Required tools for the procedure
Special tools should be used to trim the nails. These can be wire cutters or scissors. Some people buy tools that are designed for dogs or cats. It is important to ensure that they can be used for rabbits.
It is best to take the smallest tools. They must have a safety mechanism to avoid injury to pets. Many experienced animal breeders do not recommend using nail clippers, which are sold in specialty stores. Such instruments quickly become blunt and twist the claws.
Often, ordinary pedicure nippers are used to perform the procedure. These tools are sold in nail shops. When choosing a tool, you should give preference to a device with a large gap. Otherwise, the animal's claws will not fit. The advantage of such a machine is the ability to cut off a thick nail plate. With its help, it is possible to keep the process under control.
The rabbit owner must buy a drug to stop the blood. If the procedure is performed for the first time, there is a risk of cutting the claw too short. As a consequence, blood may come out. Sometimes the pet twitches during the procedure. As a consequence, scissors accidentally strike the living part of the nail.
In case of bleeding, it is recommended to sprinkle the cut area with a special substance. If it is not there, it is permissible to use ordinary flour. You can buy a styptic at a pharmacy. It is sold as a stick or powder.
Rabbit preparation
Usually, during grooming, claws are also trimmed. It is recommended to teach the animal a little to an unusual procedure. The easiest way to trim the claws is when the bunny is lying on its back. Therefore, from time to time it should be put on your knees, hold the front paws with one hand, and with the other, touch your fingers. Little by little, the pet will get used to such actions and will not resist.
If you did not have to trim the nails before, during the first procedure you should ask someone to hold the rabbit. If there are no assistants, it is important to try to calm the animal down. Otherwise, at the most crucial moment, he will be frightened and begin to break free.
To avoid such problems, it is worth limiting the mobility of the animal. To do this, wrap it in a towel and leave only the head free. Then trim the claws, releasing one paw at a time. Before you get the next paw, the previous one must be removed under the towel.
How to properly trim an animal
It is recommended to start trimming the nails at home from the front paws. To gain more access to the claws, it is recommended to press on the pad and move the fur to the side. This will make it possible to examine each claw in daylight and find the pulp. It is a living tissue with blood vessels and nerves. The pulp is located near the very base.
If the pet's claws are transparent, the red pulp capillaries are well visualized. However, they can also be seen through the dark stratum corneum.
Then, with a nail clipper, remove the dead end of the nail. At the same time, it is recommended to cut it in several steps to avoid accidental damage to the pulp. After shearing, it is necessary to inspect the claw again for the presence of sharp fragments. If they are, you should use scissors or a coarse file.
The claws located on the rudimentary toes are also recommended to be trimmed. After processing one paw, it is worth taking a break. This will help calm your pet, wrapped in a towel. It is necessary to give him a five-minute rest. In this case, it is recommended to unfold the pet so that it does not overheat.
During rest, it is worth holding the animal in your arms and giving it your favorite treat - this will help eliminate stress from the procedure.
What to do if the capillary is touched?
Even experienced people can touch the pulp, resulting in blood. In such a situation, it is recommended to use a styptic pencil or hydrogen peroxide. If you cannot stop bleeding, you should take your pet to the veterinarian. After treatment, it is important to stop walking around the house or street for a certain time.
Regular clipping will help prevent injury and illness.With a systematic procedure, the rabbit will be able to adapt to it and will not experience stress.
