Nail Clipping.

[Miss_piggie]

Hi all, just posing a quick question. What is the best way to trim a guinea pigs nails. Also, how much do vets usually charge for nail clipping?

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

Hi, I don't know about vet charges but I find sitting down and holding their backs against my belly the best way to do their nails. Of course with a little trea handy!

 

[Kerrie74]

Depends on which vets you take them to, I've been quoted almost £15 I think it was lol, the other's I've taken them to vary again, one is £4.99 and the others are around the £7 mark. We only trim the ones with the light nails, all the dark ones go to the vets and have them done.

If you do them yourself, it's like @Galaxy&nibbles said, make sure you have a treat at hand and they are relaxed on you

 

[AuntyC]

If you got your piggies from a rescue centre they will usually help you to trim nails if you want to learn how to do it yourself. Some vet surgeries offer nurse clinics where they offer nail cutting, health checks etc. White nails are easier to trim as you can see the reddish pink "quick" ( vein supplying blood) running inside the nail and avoid snipping it! Dark nails are harder as you cannot see the quick as easily, and best to take a little bit off them if they are not too overgrown. Always find the best light source you can( by a window, under a lamp, get a helper to shine a torch on the foot) and keep the cutters away from the fleshy part of the foot itself.

 

[Miss_piggie]

Thank you all very much for your advice I'll try and clip them myself but if it's too hectic I may end up taking them to a vet.

 

[sport_billy]

It can help to have a vet show you how to do it.. Also worth investing in some clippers like these

 

[Lady Kelly]

I brought nail clippers like sportbilly has shown. I have one very wriggly pig who makes it very difficult. I usually find allowing myself plenty of time to do it and taking breaks (if I can get one or two nails done before letting her rest on my lap and bite at the towel then it's good going) oh and don't forget a stiff drink for yourself for afterwards

In all seriousness though nail clipping for me (before Jemima) has always been a doddle and my pigs have generally allowed me to hold them still while they are clipped (though Pete likes to shriek the house down). If you do have a particularly wriggly pig, a second pair of hands might be helpful!

 

[artcasper]

i chickened out and just got Pippins nails done when we were at the vets.. it was £4.99 - worth it for me !

 

[Lilly]

I used to trim Hazelnut's nails at 3 nails per stalk of parsley. As Peanut Butter has to have monthly dentals I'd get the vet to do his nails as well. They charged me $17AUD (about 8.50 pounds). Then I adopted 2 more boys. Started taking them all to the shelter for nails and Donny's sheltie hair trims. Cheap at about 3.50 pounds per pig for the nails, but I also had to pay about 4.50 pounds for the toll bridge. Finally found a mobile animal groomer who does them all! She comes to the house & trims all their nails at about 15 pounds & every 2nd month cuts Donny's sheltie hair with electric clippers for another 15 pounds. It has turned out to be the cheapest option but also saves me heaps of time..

 

[Miss_piggie]

Thank youall for the advice. I got a pair of baby clippers,would that be ok?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank youall for the advice. I got a pair of baby clippers,would that be ok?

See how you get on, I started off with human clippers but didn't find them too easy (though I just used my nail clippers not baby ones).

 

[AbiS]

Just did ours, we have honed the skill down to less than 60secs per pig. It does however take 2 of us along with a decent quantity of carrot and baby corn!

 

[VickiA]

We managed the nail clip this morning in 5 minutes for 4 piggies. The hubby holds them and I clip using the clippers like shown in @sport_billy 's post. We have 2 who don't mind, one who is clearly still new to having a pedicure (miss Mollie) and so rather anxious about it, and one absolute diva, who thrashes around screaming blue murder and gnashing out at us (Violet). If I can't do them all in 5 minutes my nerves are shot to pieces and we have to give them a break and come back to it later (I know I'm a real wuss)