Nail Cutting Is Terrifying

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Frankie1990

Frankie1990

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I just can't do it :eek:. Watched all the tutorials, got ourselves all ready with some coriander bribes and sat down last night with the OH.

I really only wanted to take the pointy ends off as it blimmin hurts when they dart up on my shoulder and, eventually, we did manage to trim the back nails with one holding and one cutting. Getting the front nails is another story though - how?! The little piggy nose is always getting in the way! Gave up and showered them with veg for the trauma in the end :no:
 
You do get used to it honestly but still find it nerve wracking at times. Do you have clippers like these

 
I find the front nails the easiest because you can lift them up higher by resting their feet on your hand, which you can't really do with the back nails... I do it by myself though so I probably hold them differently to you. It does get easier the more you do it, promise :-)
 
I hate doing nails so I take the extra precaution with my wiggly piggies. I gently wrap said piggy in a towel with paw sticking out and they say a lot happier with this than me fussing over trying to keep their paws in one place and then it's over in no time :)
 
I hate doing one of mine, doing he's front ones is a nightmare
 
I'm afraid I'm one of those annoying smug people with three piggies who just sit there while I cut their nails :whistle: I wonder if they can sense fear?
 
Thanks for reassuring it does get easier! Here's hoping..

I guess confidence and a firm hand is is key as the more I delay, the more wriggly the pig gets! Easier said than done though :doh:

@sport_billy I do have scissors like that :)
 
katanamoon said:
I'm afraid I'm one of those annoying smug people with three piggies who just sit there while I cut their nails :whistle: I wonder if they can sense fear?
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You should advertise your services! :)
 
I'm afraid I can't recommend/help with much here, but I do use the Options Nail trimmers from pets at home.
For my Lily and Lola, I get my mum to hold them upright against her chest and she supports one of the back feet to trim, and then she will hold them up the same way but making sure their back legs are resting completely, then I will *try* to cut their front nails. But the front nails are always worse, because their legs are shorter and they can see what you're doing!

Not all guinea pigs are calm and collected when trimming nails, so I personally find sitting them down on a wrapped up towel on my lap is useless because they're not having any of it!
 
My best advice is to just go for it and try not to be scared.

I was so scared when I first tried, now I just grab them, position them and they are angels as I cut their nails. My friend asked me to cut her piggies nails because they squirm and wiggle and my friend and her mother are terrified when it comes to cutting them. They were shocked when the piggies just sat like angels and I cut their nails in seconds.

So I really think the piggies can sense if you are nervous. =)
 
Julesie said:
My best advice is to just go for it and try not to be scared.

I was so scared when I first tried, now I just grab them, position them and they are angels as I cut their nails. My friend asked me to cut her piggies nails because they squirm and wiggle and my friend and her mother are terrified when it comes to cutting them. They were shocked when the piggies just sat like angels and I cut their nails in seconds.

So I really think the piggies can sense if you are nervous. =)
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Your are you right, like horses piggies can sense fear, which is when they panic themselves.
 
I used to hate it! (actually I HATE manicures and pedicure as well so I was not a great person to be dong their nails!). My hands shook, I came out in a sweat and was just a bundle of nerves.

My husband used to do it but was a little rough and they hated it so much. One used to scream, my boy just clenched his paws, another flinched even before you got close! They were terrible (like me!).

One day I just decided to man up and do a little at a time. If it got too stressful for either party, then we'd stop and have a cuddle. Now they sit on my lap and practically offer a paw! Now that I have relaxed and its just me and them, they have settled really well and its now a fairly pleasant experience. I do swear that as posted above, they smell fear. They did'nt know why mum was scared so clearly they needed to be too.

So take your time, its not the end of the world if you don't do it all first time. Breath deeply, put some music or the telly on and talk to them..It will be sorted in a flash!
 
We bought nail clippers from Lidl yesterday, haven't tried them yet but they look good. The ones we got from my daughter had finger holes too small, they nearly cut my Hubby's circulation off. We then tried our own nail clippers but David (hubby) couldn't see what he was doing very well and was frightened of cutting too much nail. I will let you know how we get on with our new clippers.
 
I prefer to do a little often. So every Sunday morning when I weigh my piggies & do a health check they get their nails tipped, just the ends cut off. I also do all the piggies nails at the rescue I help out at & these get done the first Saturday of each month. As the piggies get used to you it get's easier. I sit with a towel on my knees & place the piggy on it laid on their back. It they're a wriggler I find it best to cover their eyes with the towel. Always have some cornflower at hand just in case you clip too much. This rarely happens but you just dip their foot in it & leave for a few minutes then clean off gently with a baby wipe. It's a good idea too to clean their feet with a baby wipe prior to clipping.
 
I hate doing mine my husband holds them while I cut.Edward screams like mad even though we have never hurt him and are very gentle Mrs Simpson and Cousin Ameila are nearly as bad and Mrs Slmpson has one black nail:hb:Am sure I could trim them shorter then I do but it I don't want to hurt them
 
jenny57 said:
We bought nail clippers from Lidl yesterday, haven't tried them yet but they look good. The ones we got from my daughter had finger holes too small, they nearly cut my Hubby's circulation off. We then tried our own nail clippers but David (hubby) couldn't see what he was doing very well and was frightened of cutting too much nail. I will let you know how we get on with our new clippers.
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Well guys we tried our new Lidl nail clippers tonight. They seem comfortable to use, are very sharp BUT my hubby found it difficult to see just how much nail was going into the clippers. He reckons that because they are curved it makes it more awkward, as a result he cut one each of their nails too short and they bled! Poor David he went as white as a sheet and kept apologising to them. They were fine especially after some extra treats. My husband is going to look online for other clippers. It didn't help that the room was not as well lit as it might have been so maybe well are doing them a disservice, but he maintains that it is difficult to see properly how much nail is being cut.
 
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