How to: Trim A Rabbit's Claws

I show you how I clip a rabbit's claws. This method requires the rabbit (Sammiches, in this case) to be cooperative, but even if it is not, this is a type of husbandry that MUST be done periodically. When you cage raise any animal that has claws, particularly on wire, those claws will eventually become overgrown. As a general rule, trim every 2-3 months (or just before breeding), however, this can vary between animals. One of my bucks keeps all his nails groomed short on his own, except for one front paw.

A buck with sharp claws can injure a doe during mating. A doe with sharp claws can accidentally kill her kits when she jumps in the box to feed them. It also makes them hard to handle by you, because even the tamest rabbits will often will kick when you first pick them up. I have scars!

Besides the fact that overgrown claws are sharp, they can also catch on the wire and get broken. This is quite painful and opens your animal up to serious infection! When you clip, make sure not to clip too short and hit the quick!

There is no talking because I preferred not to speak. It was a nice day, so hunters were out running their dogs in the forest around me, which is why there's so much barking in the background.