Nail Clipping Need Help

[Grace m m]

so I have a all black guinea pig, he is completely black, and so we normally go to the vet and have the vet clip his nails, but right now I am unable to take him to the vet, and I’ve never clipped black nails before, I am not useing a human nail clippers, we purchased one that’s meant to clip guinea pigs nails, I just need some advice on what’s the best way to do so, and in the worst case he does bleed what do I do to help him and stop it?

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, I know it can be a bit nerve wracking at first but if you are use to seeing his nails clipped at the vets then just aim to take them to the same length as the vet does, or a tiny bit longer if you are unsure. If he is a wriggly pig have someone hold him for you and if you or he find it to stressful just do one foot and try again later.

 

[Dill&Pepper]

If you shine a torch under the nail you will be able to see the quick, even through black nails. Otherwise just take off a tiny bit at a time. Try the back feet first, they’re easier than the fronts and tend to cause less wriggling.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Not always Dill&Pepper we tried & didn't work.

Hi, I know it can be a bit nerve wracking at first but if you are use to seeing his nails clipped at the vets then just aim to take them to the same length as the vet does, or a tiny bit longer if you are unsure. If he is a wriggly pig have someone hold him for you and if you or he find it to stressful just do one foot and try again later.

we just cut a little bit off our piggies nails. The quick is supposed to redraw after a while. Not that you'd know. Lol
A little & often I've clipped my girl before, but getting better, much to Tia's relief.

 

[Cuddles With Cavies]

Black claws! The bane of my life

The best way I’ve found is to just take little bits off the end of the nail routinely. I tried the flash light trick and just ended up blinding myself with the light

Have someone else hold your piggie if they are wriggly. I find distracting. Mine with a nice long strip of lettuce seems to work quite well.

As for catching the quick (the vein in the nail) and making it bleed, don’t panic it’s not the end of the world! Obviously you don’t want to do it, but it looks a lot scarier than it is. Nails bleed a lot but they won’t die from blood loss. You ca use things like flour or Stypic powder to quickly clot the blood and stop the bleeding. Then just ensure the cage stays nice a clean to prevent infection.

 

[DM030819]

@Grace m m A little and often is a good rule for black toenails as they can be a nightmare. Having someone else hold then, and distracting with food is always a good tip.

I usually have a small pot of flour or a tub of vaseline at hand to shove their foot in if I accidentally cut the nail too short.

Try not to worry about doing it, and take your time. Do a few nails a day if it's easier. I have one pig who is so wiggly that I can't do all of them in one go. I tend to trim the easy ones and then do the more stubborn curly ones over a few days.