Any hot tips on cutting black nails?

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MommaPiggy

MommaPiggy

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Ralph has really dark nails. I can't see his quick at all and although I do my best...All his nails are always so long but...I'm just so afraid of hurting him.
I trimmed his nails only a few days ago and earlier when I was watching him...His back nails are way too long still! I just can't...do it...

Does anyone have any tips on cutting darker nails?
 
I think some people shine a light under the nail which can show where the quick is but I have a piggie with black nails as well so know how difficult it can be! I just take a little bit off the end's each week and so far haven't caused her to bleed. My other piggies nails are shorter because they have clear nails which makes it easier but Athena get's round find and I don't feel they're too long as they don't seem to cause her any issues.
 
Shining a light through was the tip I have seen as well - otherwise cut them only at the tip.
 
Nerves of steel, a steady hand and a torch!
 
You should be able to see where the pink bit starts on the nail if they are white/clear. We used to do it as a 2 man job, one to hold and the other to snip used to work well. The front paws are always the worst to do.
 
I was told that it's worse too cut too much than to cut too little, within reason, of course. Bo has black nails and the first time I cut tiny, tiny bits until I didn't dare to cut more. I've cut the quick twice on him and felt awful, but I've been told it's not very painful. Not that I feel I can judge their perception of pain, but Bo HOLLERS the whole time, even when I'm not cutting so I'm thinking the whole thing is just a big stress thing... I've cut Mette-Marit's quick too, even though she has light nails and felt even worse about it but she didn't even whimper. Maybe girls are tougher? You know what they say about men and colds... :)
 
I've accidentally cut the quick on my one with clear nails as well :( she let out a squeak, but I think I was more upset than she was. Freya has black nails and I'm always so worried about doing hers...I'll try the torch tip next time and see if that helps :).
 
Two, or is it three...that's terrible I can't remember!...anyway, 'some' of Whiskey's feet have black claws, and after my old vet made her bleed I decided to do hers myself. I just take the ends off as others have said, and kind of use her light claws as a guide!
 
Doeylicious said:
I just take the ends off as others have said, and kind of use her light claws as a guide!
Click to expand...

Mine has no light claws :( lol. Makes it very difficult haha. I always just take the tips off though cos I'm too scared to do more ").
 
You can apparently file guinea's nails...may be an alternative?

Just don't put nail varnish on them too lol.
 
What I do with Billy's nails is look for the big that curls down because the nail makes a kind of sideways r shape, I just cut the tip off.
 
On some dark nailed piggies they have a sort of ridge underneath the nail, I cut up to the first point of the ridge, never cut a quick yet on my black rex.

It's difficult to explain, but it's like a groove in the underneath of the nail. It's a tip I was given last year from a lady I got some rescue pigs from, and it helped me so much, and it's made cutting all piggies nails so much easier.

If you have pigs with light claws have a look at the underside of them to get an idea how far away they are from the quick.
 
So many responses in such a short time. You're all wonderful. Thank you so much.
I'm going to try and cut them again now :{
 
I hadnt heard of shining a light under them so I've learned something thanks :)
 
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