Best way to trim nails?

[GBov]

As my New Zealands are quite a handful I havnt been trimming their nails but they are so long now that I really MUST start doing that.

So, anyone with REALLY big rabbits, how do YOU trim their nails?

Remembering that I will be doing this lovely chore all on my lonesome.

 

[LilacGal]

I snuggle them against my chest and trim with dog nail clippers. But mine only weigh 6lbs or so.

 

[HHRR]

I have more medium sized rabbits but I used to have a doe who was a real kicker, literally. I do what probably a lot of others will tell you to do. Sit down (preferably somewhere bright!) with the rabbit on your lap, then flip him over so the his hind legs-hip area is in between your knees and lay the rest of him down towards you, still in between your legs, gently squeezing him with your legs so he cant move too much. It's kind of complicated until you get the hang of it, it took me a while. Basically the idea is you are using your legs to keep his body secure so your hands are free for holding on to feet and, in some cases, keeping the buggers from kicking!
With some of my calmer buns I put them on the grooming table (in my case a used kitchen table) and getting something that like an inch or two high, maybe a bowl or container, Then as you are clipping the nail prop his back feet up on this so he has less leverage and movement to wiggle away while clipping. If you are clipping the front right use your left hand and reach around him and under him to get that foot into position to clip it so he can't pull away. Same applies for both front feet. In the back I use the left hand for left foot and squeeze bunbun against myself to prevent a lot of moving. This is a bit more complicated since it is less secure than the above method but if you are able wrap your hands around him good enough it does work.
I hope this helps! I know the second method is weird, I kind of made it up when I didn't know the first tactic...
Good luck!

 

[3mina]

I trim mine on a flat solid surface that isn't slippery. I pull the foot up just far enough to get the clippers around the nail. I keep my fingertips between the clippers and the nail base, I find that gives me coverage of the quick while getting the nail as short as possible. I use plier type nail clippers, the cat size ones

 

[akane]

I sit on my knees, scruff them, drop them backward with tail toward me, and hold them upside down between my knees. Then I can free up both hands for trimming. They might try to flip over once or twice at first but they only get halfway and after I push them back over they usually give up. With help I just flip them and have someone hold them by the scruff and belly on their backs on the table while I trim. Usually I don't have help though. Has worked with 1lb netherlands up to 15lb meat bricks.

 

[Demamma]

I trim like akane does.

 

[bobqdevon]

I trim like akane does.

:yeahthat:

My arms are already scratched and scarred up enough. No reason to add any more unnecessarily.

 

[AnnClaire]

I cradle mine in my left arm and can stretch the foot enough to see through the dark nails even. If they start struggling, they are kicking away from you (mostly ) and I can squeeze them with my arm/elbow until they stop.

 

[Dood]

I trim my AmChins (8-12lbs) using the scissor kind of dog nail trimmers on a 24 x 12 inch work horse table.

I put the rabbits head towards my elbow and pin them to my side then pull the foot to be trimmed out from the table so I can easily maneuver the trimmers without the table getting in the way, usually down and slightly out, so I am looking at the bottom of the foot when trimming, seems to be more comfortable for the rabbits and they protest less.

 

[GBov]

Does anyone pin them down in the CAGE and cut their nails as they poke through the wire bottom of the cage?

I was looking at them yesterday and wondered if that was even possible?

 

[3mina]

It's doable

 

[lidtfedtkanin]

I have one kicker and I was seriously contemplating thick gloves and a heavy jacket to deal with the scratches.

 

[akane]

I've had trimming through wire suggested for a lot of animals and I could never do it accurately. I only use it for an emergency on an animal that can't be handled which is not any of my rabbits. Even demon rabbit was easy to do once you got her caught and scruffed so she couldn't bite. It's more of an issue with sugar gliders that can't be held still and hedgehogs that will roll up in a ball if you grab their feet. I find it easier just to take those animals to the vet once a year and have it done under sedation.