Clipping Nails!

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Nat_Piggy

Nat_Piggy

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Hi! I was wondering if anybody could help me with cutting nails? I am yet to get the piggy who is the subject of this article, but I have also been wondering about my sister's piggies. She goes to a vet to get their nails cut, but a nail clipper came with the grooming kit I bought, so I thought, why not try? I will send a picture of my piggy's nails ASAP (which will be Saturday!) Thanks! I'll add a pic of my nail clipper down below, just in 4-up on 1-4-16 at 9.09 PM (compiled).webp case it actually matters.
 
Hello! The trick will nails is getting someone to help you hold the piggie, leaving you free to just concentrate on cutting the nails! Bribery can work wonders! I've always used baby human nail clippers on my piggies. Cut one side of your piggie, then have your holder person turn piggie around to get to the other feet. Here's Mr Percy being the perfect nail model...
12273040_10153647426247279_1608220684_n.webp 12358364_10153682094382279_379370240_n.webp
 
There's a good guide to nail cutting here: Guide to Cutting Guinea Pig Nails

I agree that it's easier w/ bribery and a second helper. Most importantly, keep the styptic powder open and nearby, and know that you won't make many mistakes, and if you do, it's not the end of the world; they'll be ok. That's what I tell myself to get through the nerve-wracking clipping. Thankfully, I've only needed the open powder once.

:D
 
Good luck with the nail clipping. Yesterday I cut one of my piggies nails and she decided to squeal so I assumed I cut the quick but I wasn't anywhere near haha!

If you have a good non wriggly pig it makes the job twice as easy :)
 
I go for the little often rather than cutting every 3 or 4 weeks. I just cut off the tips when I do their weekly weigh-in & health check, grooming etc. This way they get used to the routine & it becomes an easy weekly task :) x
 
I actually tried that, too, but with two two-and-a-half year old adopted boys, one of whom is quite shy, I eventually gave up. It just wasn't working. They already dreaded clippers, and I was not having any luck acclimating them to like grooming.

If you are getting a baby, though, it's worth a shot. I mean, it's worth a shot regardless, but it might be most successful with a young piggie.
 
Thank you guys so much! While were on the grooming topic...any bathing tips? I've heard bathing is dangerous for piggies, so of course if you guys verify that, I won't bath him/her, and if really needed I'll just clean them with a damp washcloth. Thanks!
 
No problem. Keep reading the stickies in the forums. They're very informative, and I certainly read them a lot right before I got my pigs.

That and the nail clipping thread are both under the "Daily Care" subforum. Do some browsing when you have the time. There are some really great threads there: Daily Care
 
When is it time to start cutting?

I have a couple of baby girls who are about 3 months old now and I'm yet to do their first nail trim. But how long is too long?! When do you know it's time to start trimming?
 
I clip a little bit, frequently as well. I have the same clippers as you do, and they've been great. I prefer them, because there's less chance of tearing/fissuring the nail. Here's a picture guide for which 'angle' to clip the nails, that I wish I had with my first guinea pig http://www.guineapigsclub.com/images/nailcare.gif .

I have an extremely fussy girl who hates when we clip her nails. She's getting better since we started doing shorter trims more frequently. I also recommend having a 'helper' person to hold the guinea pig while you clip, or vice versa. Takes about an hour for me to do it alone, but only ten minutes with

Elbie said:
When is it time to start cutting? I have a couple of baby girls who are about 3 months old now and I'm yet to do their first nail trim. But how long is too long?! When do you know it's time to start trimming?
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Can you post any pictures of the nails? It would be easier to see whether or not it's time to trim that way. :) Generally, if they're starting to look curly, it's definitely time to trim.
 
Parnassus said:
I clip a little bit, frequently as well. I have the same clippers as you do, and they've been great. I prefer them, because there's less chance of tearing/fissuring the nail. Here's a picture guide for which 'angle' to clip the nails, that I wish I had with my first guinea pig http://www.guineapigsclub.com/images/nailcare.gif .

I have an extremely fussy girl who hates when we clip her nails. She's getting better since we started doing shorter trims more frequently. I also recommend having a 'helper' person to hold the guinea pig while you clip, or vice versa. Takes about an hour for me to do it alone, but only ten minutes with


Can you post any pictures of the nails? It would be easier to see whether or not it's time to trim that way. :) Generally, if they're starting to look curly, it's definitely time to trim.
Click to expand...

Thanks! They are all varying lengths really! The front ones some are longer than others but they're all straight. The back ones are starting to get a curl.

Pigs are still objecting to being picked up and will only be held for a bit. I've been trying to do a bit of training lifting a foot up when holding them. Maybe will try to trim a little each time if needed.
 
Little update. I did a bit of clipping today ad Astrids back nails were a little long. Their back nails seem long but then when I checked there is only a couple mm of nail until the quick and no way I could snip off such a small amount. I've had pigs before and used to clip their nails myself but I don't remember them being so long with a long quick!

Astrid has one black foot. I saw on here someone recommended shining a light tk see the quick which I tried but couldn't see anything. Any other suggestions?
 
with black nails i trimm alittle at a time,so not to cut the quick,ive 14 husboars/wives,i cut them all mine on my ownin half an hour,but ive had practise!have a treat near by,take it at the piggies pace,try not to panic,as piggies can sense and then the piggies get stressed.my cavies i start trimming nails at 3 months,so they get accostomed to proceedure,just nice and slow.i use nail scissors/clippers.just to use what you feel most comfortable,practise with both,whatever suits you and your piggies best.i do use trimmex to put claw in ,if i should accidently clip the quick.need to check it has stopped bleeding before placing piggie into cage/hutch.
 
eileen said:
with black nails i trimm alittle at a time,so not to cut the quick,ive 14 husboars/wives,i cut them all mine on my ownin half an hour,but ive had practise!have a treat near by,take it at the piggies pace,try not to panic,as piggies can sense and then the piggies get stressed.my cavies i start trimming nails at 3 months,so they get accostomed to proceedure,just nice and slow.i use nail scissors/clippers.just to use what you feel most comfortable,practise with both,whatever suits you and your piggies best.i do use trimmex to put claw in ,if i should accidently clip the quick.need to check it has stopped bleeding before placing piggie into cage/hutch.
Click to expand...

I have a small animal cross clipper that I use. When I've been holding them I've been taking a foot to get them used to it but had to enrol boyfriend as piggie holder for the actual clipping as my girls won't sit still long enough otherwise!

I just ended up making an educated guess with the black claws.
 
Brittany Unrein said:
I only use human nail clippers.
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Are they better in your opinion?

I've only used small animal ones (the cross clip ones) but I did struggle on this clipping getting the nail in to clip. I have some small human clippers so maybe I'll try those next time.
 
I always use the human nail clippers, but the smaller kind meant for human babies. I find them easier to use, and less chance of chopping off more than you should (in my opinion!)
 
I agree with having a helper and bribery. MrS holds them and I clip while making sure they have a constant supply of their favourite baby corn and carrot in front of them. I also find it helps to have something white under their feet (I use a cotton pad) as it makes the quick a bit more obvious.
 
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