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Nail clip for skittish pig

F

Fiona*

Junior Guinea Pig
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Jan 20, 2020
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Hi all, I've had one of my boys for 5 weeks and is less skittish than he was at beginning. But he wont let me handle him, I've tried a number of things. I can cope that hes not the most sociable but I'm really worried about how I'm going to do basic welfare checks and nail clips? He is very happy pig concerning, wheeking and comes up to me but only on his terms.
Any advice for how to nail clip?
 
If you can, use something like a box or tunnel to herd him in and get him out of the cage. You can try wrapping him up like a burrito and leaving out only the paw you’re working on. Also give him something to munch on (food rather than hay) while you’re cutting.
 
It's daunting but you need to show him who is boss, gently but firmly. Grooming needs to be done and if I were to wait for my pigs to volunteer for it, we would be here all year.

One of my pigs screams the place down when I pick her up (catching her is the challenge!), but a minute later she's like a baby, purring & settling in. I tend to hold & stroke her for a while before attempting a nail trim just to get the trust up, then like Siikibam said, wrap her up in a t-towel or something & have nibbles handy. Hold the pig close to you & get the best position to trim.

Be gentle but firm & remember who's boss!
 
:agr:
One of my boys hates being handled (it’s taken him 18 months to be confident enough to start taking food from my hand) but it has to be done. I just make it as careful but quick as possible and then give him treats!
 
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