How Often Should You Cut Nails?

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Alycat

Alycat

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all,
I had my first go at nail clipping this week. I drew a bit of blood (and felt terrible) but managed otherwise.
Just wondering how often I should do this?
 
My boars hate having their nails cut, it's a two person job as they are so wiggly. I keep an eye on mine and take nibbles off as soon as they look like they are getting long as we can never do a whole pig in one go. They both mostly have black nails as well so you can't see the quick so I don't like to take much off at one sitting. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule as to how often, it depends how quickly their nails are growing.
 
Definitely a two person job if you can. One holds other cuts, I give them food at the same time to try and distract the pig :)

Try not to feel bad it happens to us all. A vet can show you how to clip and maybe invest in some clippers like this


Are the nails black or clear?
 
I have done my girls twice so far ie every two weeks. I just take off the teeniest tips. They dont exactly like it but its soon over and they then munch away on salad!
 
defo two person job in our house..... food is always a help for during the ordeal or straight after.. we did the girls last night and it had probably been a month since we last did it - very overdue !
 
Definitely go with the treat :) As for how much to do in one sitting I think it depends on how wriggly the pig is :)
 
eileen said:
i do all my piggies once a month,i live alone so do all 20 piggies in one day.but I'm quite experienced at it now.just sit them on my lap,clicker trained my piggies to give me a foot at a time,parsley as a treat and clip the nails !
Click to expand...
Wow that must have taken some patience. I am in awe of you
 
eileen said:
i do all my piggies once a month,i live alone so do all 20 piggies in one day.but I'm quite experienced at it now.just sit them on my lap,clicker trained my piggies to give me a foot at a time,parsley as a treat and clip the nails !
Click to expand...
That's amazing! I've read about clicker training animals other than dogs but clicking to give u a paw is awesome. Well done!
 
it just takes time and patience,but well worth the effort for stress free time for my piggies.i try and get all my piggies accustomed to little things that can be hard to do when piggies are poorly.i once aweek give 1 ml syringe of water.if I need to force feed or give medication it allows them to feel in control.everyone has there own way of doing things,no right or wrong way.whatever suits you and your piggies .xx
 
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eileen said:
i do all my piggies once a month,i live alone so do all 20 piggies in one day.but I'm quite experienced at it now.just sit them on my lap,clicker trained my piggies to give me a foot at a time,parsley as a treat and clip the nails !
Click to expand...
That's amazing!
 
what does everyone feel is best to cut the nails ? a lot say the pet clippers but can you see ok where your
cutting ? others say normal nail clippers or do these squeeze the nail ? I first used a pair of very sharp hair scissors which
seemed to be ok but yesterday tried a large pair of nail clippers just normal ones that have a good sharp cut but not sure
they didn't squeeze the nail a bit ..... as they are made for the job is a pair of pet clippers the best ... they just look quite
bulky in getting the nail positioned in the blade and cutting quick enough before the pigges moves away
 
Think I will give the pet cutters a miss for now. Thanks least nail clippers you can see the tiny bit to cut off. I don't get much time and am shaking like mad anyway incase I cut too much
 
eileen said:
i do all my piggies once a month,i live alone so do all 20 piggies in one day.but I'm quite experienced at it now.just sit them on my lap,clicker trained my piggies to give me a foot at a time,parsley as a treat and clip the nails !
Click to expand...

Wow! I don't know how you managed that. Well done! x
 
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