• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

help, guinea pigs nails are overgrown

I

inactive.2

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
17
Reaction score
7
Points
140
hello, I have 2 female guinea pigs and they'll be 6 years old next year. they're still very active and happy. they live outside as it doesn't get cold here (and if it does they get a blanket) and live in a large cage. I've noticed that after years of never having issues with long or overgrown nails, they've started becoming overgrown. Jennifer has the worst nails as they've become curled (very embarrassed and upset about this) and Sugar only has kinda long nails. is this due to age? I have clipped them before but I'm kinda scared to clip the curled nails :( my mum doesn't have a job right now and I'm not sure i can afford a vet visit. any advice? I just don't wanna hurt my babies 😥
 
Hi,
Are clipping their nails every two or so weeks? Don't stress, curling of the nails is completely normal and is nothing to worry about at this age as long as it isn't affecting them, and their nails aren't really long. Both my older piggies (4 years) have slightly curled nails. Are you able to insert a picture?
When cutting their nails, you want to make sure not to cut into the quick (you want to cut off the transparent part of the nail). In light coloured piggies, this is very easy to see, but it can be much harder to see on darker coloured piggies. If you can, getting someone to hold them while you cut their nails and holding a light to the nails may make it easier. Hope this helps 🙂

This guide may be helpful:
Guide to Cutting Guinea Pig Nails
 
My Piggies said:
Hi,
Are clipping their nails every two or so weeks? Don't stress, curling of the nails is completely normal and is nothing to worry about at this age as long as it isn't affecting them, and their nails aren't really long. Both my older piggies (4 years) have slightly curled nails. Are you able to insert a picture?
When cutting their nails, you want to make sure not to cut into the quick (you want to cut off the transparent part of the nail). In light coloured piggies, this is very easy to see, but it can be much harder to see on darker coloured piggies. If you can, getting someone to hold them while you cut their nails and holding a light to the nails may make it easier. Hope this helps 🙂

This guide may be helpful:
Guide to Cutting Guinea Pig Nails
Click to expand...
this photo isn't the newest and I clipped their nails afterward but you get the general idea. something like this. Jennifer has more severe curling on her nails. I feel bad. (and yes they ruined the fly screen, sorry its not a great pic)
 

Attachments

  • 20210612_155332.webp
    20210612_155332.webp
    101.3 KB · Views: 62
nelly.png said:
this photo isn't the newest and I clipped their nails afterward but you get the general idea. something like this. Jennifer has more severe curling on her nails. I feel bad. (and yes they ruined the fly screen, sorry its not a great pic)
Click to expand...
From what I can see, they definitely look like they need to be trimmed. If you're worried about hurting them, try taking a tiny bit off at a time, and have a look at the guide I linked above. Good luck 🙂
 
From what I can see, they definitely do need cutting. Curly nails are nothing to worry about unless they are digging in to the foot pad in which case, they are too long and a vet may be needed for treatment. If you can’t take them to the vets for nail cutting, could you get someone to help you? Your mum? One of you could hold the piggies whilst the other one cuts the nails following the helpful link that @My Piggies has linked in. Good luck x
 
This is George and his are curling now he is older (4 1/2). He has some arthritis and this makes his knees a bit stiff and his front feet are a bit puffy. The curling seemed to happen at the same time as these other issues and so I think they are all linked. I watch out to make sure the nails don't curl under the foot and dig in the pads but he gets trimmed roughly every 2 months - if he needs it. I use human nail clippers and I cut small amounts - cutting the quick is very painful but more than that it makes them so fearful of nail cutting in the future they fight to get away.

My most active piggy Flora has only had her nails done once since January and that was to just snick off the very tips as they were sharp and scratched when she jumped up to paw my legs! Some of my pigs have needed more often and some less - one girl only needed the outer back claws clipping which grew like a huge talon - the rest were fine! I've had quite a few older pigs from different homes and the thick, curled nails are pretty common at that age - it's an age thing, not neglect. Old people have scary toenails too!

Just try trimming a little bit - you don't have to do all the nails at the same time and some of them might not need doing at all. Be brave!
 
Hi and welcome

Guinea pig nails can twist, curl tightly or thicken as piggies age. If you are scared about cutting, see whether a nurse with guinea pig experience at your vet clinic will trim them for you for a small fee.

Otherwise, here is our nail clipping guide: Guide to Cutting Guinea Pig Nails
 
My 5 year old piggy is starting to get curling nails. I take off a tiny amount and go back again often. I hate cutting the quick. What gorgeous piggies you have! You're not UK based?
 
Black piggies said:
My 5 year old piggy is starting to get curling nails. I take off a tiny amount and go back again often. I hate cutting the quick. What gorgeous piggies you have! You're not UK based?
Click to expand...
super late reply but no I'm from Australia. unfortunately Sugar went to sleep and didn't wake up this morning so Jennifer will be getting all the attention (and extra so she doesn't feel depressed). and thank you to everyone else who replied, I'll keep all this in mind !
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Guinea pig nails can twist, curl tightly or thicken as piggies age. If you are scared about cutting, see whether a nurse with guinea pig experience at your vet clinic will trim them for you for a small fee.

Otherwise, here is our nail clipping guide: Guide to Cutting Guinea Pig Nails
Click to expand...
I think ill take her to someone who does nail clipping if I can't in the end:)
 
Free Ranger said:
This is George and his are curling now he is older (4 1/2). He has some arthritis and this makes his knees a bit stiff and his front feet are a bit puffy. The curling seemed to happen at the same time as these other issues and so I think they are all linked. I watch out to make sure the nails don't curl under the foot and dig in the pads but he gets trimmed roughly every 2 months - if he needs it. I use human nail clippers and I cut small amounts - cutting the quick is very painful but more than that it makes them so fearful of nail cutting in the future they fight to get away.

My most active piggy Flora has only had her nails done once since January and that was to just snick off the very tips as they were sharp and scratched when she jumped up to paw my legs! Some of my pigs have needed more often and some less - one girl only needed the outer back claws clipping which grew like a huge talon - the rest were fine! I've had quite a few older pigs from different homes and the thick, curled nails are pretty common at that age - it's an age thing, not neglect. Old people have scary toenails too!

Just try trimming a little bit - you don't have to do all the nails at the same time and some of them might not need doing at all. Be brave!
Click to expand...
yeah its definitely an age thing seeming as neither of their nails were long until about the 4 year mark. thank you for the advice!
 
nelly.png said:
super late reply but no I'm from Australia. unfortunately Sugar went to sleep and didn't wake up this morning so Jennifer will be getting all the attention (and extra so she doesn't feel depressed). and thank you to everyone else who replied, I'll keep all this in mind !
Click to expand...
Aw sorry about that :( Rest easy Sugar. Enjoy the extra fussing Jennifer.
 
I'm sorry for your loss. It was a good age and sounds like a peaceful passing which is a blessing. Our thoughts are with you and Jennifer x
 
oh yeah I forgot to mention that we cut Jennifer's nails and there was no problems or bleeding:-) they're nice and short now. although she did somehow lose one on her back foot, no idea how or when, but its completely fine so I won't worry about it too much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top