what is the right way to trim a bunnies nails?

Your vet can trim her up if you are squeamish about doing it yourself. I do ours because with our warren it would be cost prohibited. The best way especially for newbies is to work with a partner.

Burrito wrap the bunny in a towel have your partner sit with the bunny on his/her lap facing forward.

Make sure your partner has the bunnies back and bottom well supported

Pull out one paw at a time and cut below the quick. For the white nailed guys it is very easy to see in good light. That pink vein running down the nail. The dark nailed ones can be hard to see so a pen light shining from under the nail will help outline the quick. The easiest clippers to use would be the scissor type used for cats. Don't forget the dew claw on the front paws. If you happen to quick her don't panic dip the nail in cornstarch or flour to staunch the bleeding and a dab of aloe on the nail to promote healing. Don't use styptic powder as it stings like hell. Always give a treat after as a peace offering.

Getting a vet to do it is always more.

Check with a local pet supply store and ask for nail clippers for your rabbit. They shouldn't cost more than ten dollars.

The way I trim our rabbits nails is I get my husband to hold her over on her back in his lap. I have the nail trimmers and a small bright flashlight. I start with the flashlight and shine it up through the nail so I can determine where the pink cuticle inside the nail ends. I make a mental note, and switch the flashlight for the nail trimmers and cut the nail back to within a close margin of the end of the cuticle.

If you cut the cuticle it bleeds like crazy so make sure you and your helper are not wearing good clothes or are on a good carpet. It hurts the rabbit a little bit but not as much as you think if you do cut the cuticle.

Be sure to check the dew claws too. Some people miss them because they do not line up with the other claws.

It's a little nerve racking the first couple times you do it but after a while everyone including the rabbit get used to it.

If all that seems a little overwhelming you could make an appointment with your vet to have him do it and show you how.

I do it myself but it's not fun. It really depends on the rabbit. The clippers are only about $8 at your local petsmart. What you need to do is when you hold her have a blanket/towel on your lap, long pants, long sleeve shirt and wear gloves... this could get ugly! Just hold your bunny how you would always do but this time hold them a little tighter so they feel secure. Also make sure you talk to them so they don't flip out. Also be sure to only clip off the tip. Literally... ONLY THE TIP! Anymore into the nail could seriously damage and hurt the bunny. Ask your vet for more information and vetsx do charge a lot so I would recommend you do it yourself but do it with care. Just a word of advice... the pinky it the most sensitive finger/toe of the bunny so be extra careful when cutting them. Good Luck and hope this helps! Email me at susanblarzouski@yahoo.com if you need anymore advice :D

If she has to go to the vet for shots or a check up sometime, you could ask them how to do it.

With dogs and cats, you get a special clipper for them and if they have clear nails, you can see through the nail to see the "quick," which is the blood vessel that runs through the nail that you don't want to cut--it hurts them like it does if you've ever cut your fingernails too short. The quick looks like a pink "core" in the center of the nail. With our cats, we sit on the floor and hold them on their backs between our legs and then squeeze their paws a bit so you can see their nails. If you can't see the quick in the nail, cut just the tiniest bit off to be safe.

If you're unsure or nervous about trimming your rabbit's nails, I would take her to a vet and have it professionally done. I'm sure cost varies, but my vet charges $10 for nail trims.

When I clip my rabbit's nails at home, I wrap him in an old hand towel (being careful to allow easy breathing and east access to nails) to prevent him from scratching/biting me and to help him feel more secure. Then, one foot at a time, I clip his nails with one of my old toe nail clippers (you don't have to go out and buy a fancy, over-priced clipper from the store). It's fairly easy to see the quick, and you want to avoid clipping into the quick as it would be similarly painful as clipping your own nail too far back.

Don't be surprised if your rabbit kicks, twists, and tries desperately to get out. It's not in many rabbit's personalities to sit perfectly still and allow someone to trim it's nails. As long as you don't cut into the quick, you aren't causing your animal any harm or pain. If you rabbit becomes overly distressed, try clipping only one foot at a time and allow her time to rest, as too much strain on the heart can easily lead to heart attacks for rabbits.

You can take her to the vets, they will trim them for you for a cost.

You could pick her up, put her on her back (this makes the rabbit paralysed for a short period of time, so the rabbit wont move) and cut her nail, but make sure you don't cut too much, or too far down.

Also, most pet shops cut them for free if you ask.