How to Clip a Rabbit's Teeth With Malaclusion

If your rabbit has malocclusion, a condition where the teeth do not properly align and therefore grow backwards into the rabbit's mouth, you have to clip their teeth every few weeks, or else they will grow right through the roof of the rabbit's mouth. It is a two person job, so get a friend.

Things You'll Need

• Small table
• Pair of nail clippers or sharp, small wire cutters

Instructions

1. Buy a pair of teeth or nail clippers, or use a sharp, small pair of wire clippers. Then get a friend to help.

2. Put your rabbit on a small table and make sure he is calm. Decide who will hold the rabbit and who will cut the teeth and who will hold the rabbit still.

3. Hold the rabbit by the body and back of the head with both hands. You may even want to straddle the rabbit, because he will squirm. Cutting teeth is painful but necessary and unfortunately you cannot explain this to a rabbit.

4. Pull back the rabbit's lips until the teeth are exposed and open the clippers.

5. Place the clippers on one of the upper teeth, about 1/4 inch below the gum, gripping the tooth with the pliers, then squeeze shut.

6. Repeat the process on the other three teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• The rabbit will squirm, so clip very quickly using a fast-hand squeeze. Calm the rabbit by petting them on the nose and back in between each cut.

• Be careful not to cut the gum or tongue. Hold your rabbit firmly but do not squish him. Use only sharp, unrusted clippers to avoid infection. If a cut occurs, contact a vet.

Resources

• Info on malocclusion
• More info on this rabbit disease
• Pictures on malocclusion