Rabbit nail biting indication of pain/discomfort?

Question
hello.

I took two bunnies off a an aquaintance who wasn't caring for them properly.

They didn't appear to be getting hay & were only fed cheap supermarket generic rabbit food. Their poops were small & hard.

I've had them for 2 days now & their poops are nice & light coloured & a healthy typical size & consitancy.

I've handled one so far,  the intact male.  I clipped some horrible matting from his tail & bottom (not faeces,  just badly compacted fur/shavings.  He's a very happy little boy (a year old I'd guess) & very tame with some nice "purring" when I pet give him nose rubs.

Anyway,  I clipped his nails & most of them had been nibbled down to the quick,  the others (about 4 of them) were around an inch long.

I really wanted to know if you'd ever heard if nail biting was a sign of some discomfort or pain? I've had a few bunnies that have done it (even had a dutch that did it to her bonded friend!) but I never really associated it with pain/discomfort until another house bunny keeping friend said it might be.

I hope you can offer some opinion on this for me,  it's much appreciated.

I may have further questions when I assess the female REW that came with the boy.

Richard Aberdeen UK.

Answer
Dear Richard,

Thank you for taking in the poor, neglected bunnies.  I am sure they will have a wonderful life with such a caring bunny "dad."  :)

I've known of rabbits who are very stressed to chew on their own nails or the nails of a companion.  but in a case like this, I'd be more suspicious that the nails actually were too long, caught on something, and actually tore or broke off.

As long as there's no infection or swelling, they should heal and regrow uneventfully.  If you're not sure they're fully clean, then washing them gently with dilute povidone iodine will be a good idea to set up healing and remove any stray bacteria that might be inhibiting normal regrowth.

Congratulations on your new "family."  :)

Take care,

Dana