Rabbits are cute and cuddly creatures that make great pets. However, they are also prone to certain health problems, one of which is bleeding toenails. If your rabbit has a bleeding toenail, it is important to take action quickly to stop the bleeding and prevent further complications.
A rabbit’s nail can bleed for a variety of reasons, but usually, the bleeding will stop on its own. However, if the bleeding is severe or if the rabbit is in pain, it is important to seek veterinary care.
If accidentally, by any chance, the nail of the rabbit is cut in a way that it starts to bleed, then there are a few things you can do at home. From applying pressure at the injured site to using corn flour to stop the bleeding, these remedies are easy to follow.
You also need to keep a first aid kit for pets at home so, in case of an accident, you are able to treat minor injuries at home.
So, let’s find out what to do if your rabbit’s nail starts to bleed and under what circumstances you should seek veterinary care.
Will a Rabbit’s Nail Stop Bleeding On Its Own?
There are two main points to consider when determining whether or not a rabbit’s nail will stop bleeding on its own: the cause of the bleeding and the severity of the bleeding.
The most common cause of a rabbit’s nail bleeding is due to trimming the nails too short. If this is the case, the bleeding should stop relatively quickly on its own. However, if the nails are trimmed too deeply, it may take longer for the bleeding to stop or the nails may require medical attention.
Another common cause of a rabbit’s nail bleeding is an injury. If the injury is minor, such as a small cut, the bleeding should stop on its own. However, if the injury is more severe, such as a deep cut or a broken nail, medical attention may be required.
The severity of the bleeding will also affect whether or not it will stop on its own. If the bleeding is mild, it is likely that it will stop on its own. However, if the bleeding is more severe, it may require medical attention.
When Will the Rabbit’s Nail Stop Bleeding?
As soon as the nail is cut inappropriately, the bleeding starts which would normally stop on its own without any medical intervention. At times the cut could be deeper and might not stop in sometime. You first need to see when the bleeding stops.
If it doesn’t stop in a few minutes, then you need to act proactively and apply certain ingredients from the kitchen or ointments available over the counter.
Mostly, the rabbit’s nail grows very quickly and it bends as it grows bigger. If the toenail grows too big and bends, then it might break on its own and without a trace of blood, would get separated from the toenail.
There are times when your bunny’s nail might not fall off on its own and would require proper nail cutting. This is where the problem may arise as sometimes the cut may get deeper.
It gives way to infections and allows profuse bleeding. On the other hand, the rabbit’s toenails might get stuck in wires or other metallic things which could rip them off. This is very painful and your bunny can be in a lot of pain if he comes across an injury of such kind.
Home Remedies for Stopping Toe Nail Bleeding in Rabbits
Styptic Powder
As mentioned earlier, most of the time, the bleeding stops on its own very quickly in a matter of a few minutes but if the injury is deep, then it might need more time to heal. The first step you can do is to apply styptic powder instantly and it will allow the bleeding to stop.
Styptic powder is formulated for pets and contains a pain-relieving substance. It helps stop bleeding fast and is, therefore, something you should always have in your first-aid kit especially if you have pets at home.
Corn Flour
If you don’t have any styptic powder handy, then you can also apply corn flour to the toenail injury. It would dry the wound out and absorb extra moisture.
Corn flour can be applied directly to a wound to stop bleeding. The corn flour will act as a clotting agent and will help to stop the bleeding. To apply corn flour to a wound, simply sprinkle a small amount onto the wound and press gently to help the corn flour adhere.
Apply Pressure
Applying pressure to the bleeding nail for at least 2 minutes would also help in stopping the toenails from bleeding. This pressure would stop the blood from coming out and help the toenail heal quickly.
Take your rabbit to the vet for further treatment if the bleeding does not stop. Moreover, if there is redness and swelling even after 24 hours have passed, then it might indicate a bacterial infection. This would require an immediate veterinarian visit.
How to Prevent Toenail Injuries in Rabbits?
When the toenails grow bigger and bend, they tend to rip off. The ripped-off toenail would grow back but it will take at least six months. Mostly, the ripped toenails might show signs of bleeding and grow themselves later on.
On the other hand, these toenails might also start bleeding and become infectious too. This is where it would require medical attention.
Firstly, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure for a couple of minutes. During this process, your pet might struggle with pain and become aggressive but that’s normal. You need to keep applying pressure till the blood stops coming out completely.
An injury due to a ripped toenail or dewclaw may lead to stress and other potential complications like anorexia and loss of appetite. According to studies, your pet may return to its regular eating and drinking routine after the pain has subsided.
When your rabbit returns to normal after the pain has decreased, you may observe the ripped-off nail for at least 3 to 4 days and ensure that the wounded area is clean and more dry than usual. The exposed toenail tissue can lead to an infection which would cause redness and swelling. In such a case, you need to consult a vet immediately.
Toe Nail Breaking and Hanging Off
If you observe that the rabbit’s nail is broken in such an area where it is connected to the flesh, then just carefully cut a hanging nail off. For this, you would require a scissor-like nail trimmer. After cutting the hanging off a toenail, allow your pet to freely hop and roam around.
See for any signs of If discomfort and if you feel there aren’t any, then you don’t need to worry about anything.
On the contrary, if you feel that your pet’s nail is ripped off at the nail bed, and visible nail damage is noticed, then you need to trim the nail causing the damage.
Selecting a clipper-based trimmer is very essential and is based on the rabbit’s size. Most pet owners use the cat-claw nail clipper which has a scissor-like shape for cutting cat nails. These are easily available on the market and are not very expensive tools.
However, there is an electric nail grinder tool available, which is a bit expensive but it does the job quite safely. By using this tool, you don’t have to worry about cutting your rabbit’s nail too deep. It is highly recommended to buy this tool and add it to your pet’s grooming kit.
Final Words
Toenail injuries in rabbits are very common and usually don’t require any specialized treatment. They can easily be treated at home with some home remedies and certain over-the-counter ointments.
However, if there is too much damage done to the nail bed due to nails getting caught in anything, this can lead to other complications such as bacterial infections. So, you need to monitor the injury closely and look for signs, such as redness and swelling.
If you feel that you are unable to deal with it then it is always recommended to see a vet as soon as possible. Usually, a small amount of bleeding is not a serious concern but it could turn into something big if proper attention is not given. Before the wound turns infectious, you need to take your pet to a vet.
A bleeding nail injury can be very painful and the pain can make the rabbit behave in a very aggressive way. It is recommended to use the proper trimming and grooming tools so you don’t end up causing injury to your cute and cuddly pet. Moreover, always keep styptic powder handy so you can use it in the time of an emergency to stop the pain and give some relief to the poor creature.
Last but not least, a relaxed rabbit would always make you feel comfortable so make sure your pet is always stress-free and calm!