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Keeping nail length down

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happysaz133

happysaz133

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I clip my GP's claws when needed, but they have never really enjoyed it and wriggle! I wondered if anyone had any tips for keeping them down. Maybe something in their hutch or run, I thought maybe a concrete slab or tile might help a bit?
 
Well while clipping my piggies nails...I put them on their backs and hold them like a baby....they seem to really enjoy it. If they start to figget, I scratch their bellies. They love that, and I can carry on nail clipping.

Failing that, you could always set the run up on concrete to wear them down.
 
Thanks, but I was always told laying them on their back puts strain on their hearts, so is that wrong? If it's OK, I'll try that, thanks!
 
Mine don't like being on their backs so I use the bribery method :)) A pile of their fav veg and then the sit and eat at it while I do their nails.

I find the front ones are the hardest and make them wriggle about so start with back ones as then at least they'll not figet all the way through!
 
Most of mine dislike being laid on their backs. I have heard that particular phrase, about it putting a strain on their heart, but unless the pig has a severe heart defect or significant respiratory distress, I do not believe it to be true. Most guineas are laid on their backs for x-rays and dental work.

Nail clipping little and often is best - I clip all my pigs nails monthly. Access to bricks/tiles/concrete isn't usually effective enough to eliminate the need for nail trimmings, and in my experience concrete tiles placed in the cage did nothing to help wear the nails down. Running on concrete may be different, bu since my pigs very rarely go outdoors I can't say how effective it would be.
 
I involve my hubby. I show him how to hold them and I clip. As long as you don't go near the pinky flesh part you will be fine.
 
I don't mind doing the nails, I've been doing it with the rabbit, GP's and cats for years and years, I cut a bit too far once and caused a bit of blood on one piggy but I learned very quickly after that!

I will just keep trimming them I guess. We don't really have a suitable concrete bit for the run!
 
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