Grooming decorative rabbits: how to do it right at home

Grooming the nails of decorative rabbits is considered an important element of pet care. 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. Manipulation should be performed as carefully as possible so as not to violate the integrity of the vessels and not injure the animal.

Why do we need nail clipping

Cutting your nails is not very pleasant. But this is an important hygiene procedure that rabbits require. Pet claws grow quite quickly. They do not cause discomfort to wild animals, as they are erased when moving on rocky ground.

Domestic decorative rabbit should definitely cut its claws. When moving on a smooth floor, they cannot grind. In addition, there are a number of other factors that create the need for this procedure:

The animal can be injured by long claws if it tries to scratch.
Overgrown claws prevent the pet from resting on its hind legs. In this case, the entire weight of his body falls on the heels. This leads to calluses.
With strong regrowth, the claws twist and bend. This entails discomfort, as a result of which the animal begins to gnaw them.
The pet can be injured - for example, break a finger if it gets caught on the carpet.

At what age should you start

For the first time, it is recommended to trim your nails early enough. Veterinarians advise to carry out this procedure when the rabbit reaches 1.5-2 months.

Optimal cutting frequency

Manipulation is recommended to be performed at intervals of 3 weeks. Pruning can be done by yourself. When in doubt or concern, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

Required tools for the procedure

You should use special tools for cutting nails. It can be pliers or scissors. Some people buy appliances that are designed for dogs or cats. However, it is important to ensure that they can be used for rabbits.

It is best to take the smallest devices. They must have a safety mechanism to avoid causing trauma to pets. Many experienced animal breeders do not recommend the use of nail cutters, which are sold in specialized stores. Such tools quickly become blunt and twist the claws.

The advantage of scissor-shaped nail clippers is a high degree of maneuverability, which allows freedom of movement.

Often, ordinary pedicure nippers are used to perform the procedure. Such tools are sold in manicure departments. When choosing a tool, it is worth giving preference to a device with a large gap. Otherwise, the claws of the animal will not fit. The advantage of such a machine is the ability to cut a thick nail plate. With its help, it is possible to keep the process under control.

The owner of the rabbit must buy a drug to stop the blood. If the procedure is performed for the first time, there is a risk of cutting the nail too short. As a result, blood may come out. Sometimes the pet twitches during the procedure. As a result, the scissors accidentally strike the living part of the nail.

When bleeding, it is recommended to sprinkle the cut area with a special substance. If it is not available, it is permissible to use ordinary flour. A hemostatic agent can be bought at a pharmacy. It is sold as a stick or powder.

Preparing the rabbit

Usually during grooming, nail trimming is also performed. It is recommended to accustom the animal to the unusual procedure little by little. The easiest way to trim the claws is when the rabbit is lying on its back. Therefore, periodically it should be put on its knees, hold the front paws with one hand, and with the other - touch the fingers. Little by little, the pet will get used to such actions and will not resist.

If you have not had to trim your nails before, you should ask someone to hold the rabbit during the first procedure. If there are no helpers, it is important to try to calm the animal. Otherwise, at the most crucial moment, he will get scared and start to break out.

To avoid such problems, it is worth limiting the mobility of the animal. To do this, it must be wrapped in a towel and only the head should be left free. Then cut 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 cut an animal

It is recommended to start cutting nails at home from the front paws. To get more access to the claws, it is recommended to press the pad and push the fur aside. 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 near the base.

If the claws of the pet are transparent, the red capillaries of the pulp are well visualized. However, they can also be seen through the dark stratum corneum.

Then remove the dead end of the nail with a nail cutter. 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 file with a large coating.

Claws located on rudimentary fingers are also recommended to be trimmed. After processing one paw, it is worth taking a break. This will help the pet wrapped in the towel to calm down. It is necessary to give him a five-minute rest. At the same time, it is recommended to deploy the pet so that it does not overheat.

During the rest, it is worth holding the animal in your arms and giving him your favorite treat - this will help eliminate the stress of the procedure.

What to do if a capillary is hit?

Even experienced people can touch the pulp, which will lead to the appearance of blood. In such a situation, it is recommended to use a hemostatic pencil or hydrogen peroxide. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, you should take your pet to the veterinarian. After treatment, it is important to stop walking around the house or on the street for a certain time.

Regular nail clipping will help prevent traumatic injuries and diseases. With a systematic procedure, the rabbit will be able to adapt to it and will not experience stress.