Any tips on cutting nails...

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BellasMummy

BellasMummy

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I have tried time and time again to cut the girls nails and today to my suprise Paislee allowed me to do all her nails and only wriggled a little bit. But then it came to Phoebe and she got so scared and her whole body tensed up.
I have tried distracting her with food while i do the nails, hiding her eyes so she can't see what i'm doing. I just can't get them to stay still enough to cut them, I'm so scared they will pull at just the wrong moment and it will hurt them.
Phoebe was absoultely terrified at what i was doing, i stopped and cuddled her and tried again but she tensed right up, in the end i gave up.
I just don't know what to do, their nails are starting to curl round as i leave it as long as possible before doing it again and i can only take off a tiny bit each time as they try to bite my fingers.
I used to think it was just me being too nervous but now i feel confident doing it and i still can't get them to stay still.
Sorry for rambling on but i need some help, this is the only problem i have with my girls and its getting me really down.
 
Part of it is that you are nervous and the other part is that piggies do quite often not like it.

You can either take her to the vets to have the nails cut there while you are holding Phoebe. Or you can try to do it one nail per cuddle session...

A lot of it is down to practice - for the piggies and you. You can help by fondling and manipulating Phoebe's paws whenever you are cuddling her. Be as encouraging as possible and give lots of praise for every tiny bit of success.
 
I find the best thing is to get someone else to hold my piggie while I trim his nails. If they hold the piggie close to there chest with there feet out so you can hold them then just gently trim them. That way your comforting ** piggie at same time :)
X
 
I find the clippers with 'holes' easier. :)

I just have normal laptime so it seems normal to them then just put the claw in the hole with the claw resting in th correct place, just snip the ends off. You can then see the place you will be cutting and take your time. When you are happy just a quick snip and its all done :)

Have some cornflour handy so any accidents :( , cutting the 'quick' can be easily stopped. I haven't needed it yet but have it nearby just in case.

Good Luck. :)
 
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Ange17 said:
I find the clippers with 'holes' easier. :)

I just have normal laptime so it seems normal to them then just put the claw in the hole with the claw resting in th correct place, just snip the ends off. You can then see the place you will be cutting and take your time. When you are happy just a quick snip and its all done :)

Have some cornflour handy so any accidents :( , cutting the 'quick' can be easily stopped. I haven't needed it yet but have it nearby just in case.

Good Luck. :)
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i agree, clipper with holes are definitely much easier! i havent heard about using cornflour before if you cut the quick, mum just told me to stick the nail in a bar of soap? it hasnt happened yet though!
 
You can use a styptic pencil if it bleeds. (normally used by men when they cut themselves shaving) Our first vet used to use keep one by him when cutting black nails, just incase.
 
Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate the help. My Mum usually does hold them while i try to cut. I think I'm going to touch there feet more when just having a cuddle as that sounds like a good idea to get them used to me touching there feet.
Will give it another go. I guess it am nervous doing it but they are my first piggies and i don't want to hurt them.
Thanks again :)
 
theres nothing like a bit of bribery as well during manicure and peidcure time we find anyway as piggy is so distracted by eating that they are not bothered what else is going on {:|{:|{:|
 
Best thing is to be confident, as daft as it sounds! When I first clipped my piggies nails, they would always fight against me etc. But now after doing it for 10 years, I don't have a problem clipping any pigs nails (my friend ask me to do her pigs hahaa) because I'm confident & not umming & arring :) If your nervous, they'll pick up on it.

Otherwise (this is how I was taught at college), you can get someone to hold the pig for you whilst you cut the nails. Get them to hold the pigs back to their chest & make sure they support the bum & chest. Then you have two hands & clear view for holding the paws & cutting the nails.

Or, just take them to the vet & viola! :P

Best piece of equipment in my experience? Toe nail clippers. Nice and small so fit in your hand & not getting in the way. And they are quick and usually sharp. I've used toe nail clippers for ages now & get along better with them then any other clippers :)

Sorry for rambling >_< Just be confident! :D
 
garnet2424 said:
Best thing is to be confident, as daft as it sounds! When I first clipped my piggies nails, they would always fight against me etc. But now after doing it for 10 years, I don't have a problem clipping any pigs nails (my friend ask me to do her pigs hahaa) because I'm confident & not umming & arring :) If your nervous, they'll pick up on it.

Otherwise (this is how I was taught at college), you can get someone to hold the pig for you whilst you cut the nails. Get them to hold the pigs back to their chest & make sure they support the bum & chest. Then you have two hands & clear view for holding the paws & cutting the nails.

Or, just take them to the vet & viola! :P

Best piece of equipment in my experience? Toe nail clippers. Nice and small so fit in your hand & not getting in the way. And they are quick and usually sharp. I've used toe nail clippers for ages now & get along better with them then any other clippers :)

Sorry for rambling >_< Just be confident! :D
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the advice, will definitely give it a go and i already use normal nail clippers as this is what i have seen being used before.
 
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