Nails

[Philippa98]

My older Guinea pig is nearly 1 year old and I've tried everything to let me do his nails to the point where he only let's me cut his nails one way so it's slanted and not a point. Or only half his nails. I don't know if they have groomers for guinea pigs but would a vet do this or who do I go to for help? Ps. No one in my family has any pets to help me I think his front toes are bent inwards because of his nails, any help would be appreciated thanks x

 

[Wiebke]

My older Guinea pig is nearly 1 year old and I've tried everything to let me do his nails to the point where he only let's me cut his nails one way so it's slanted and not a point. Or only half his nails. I don't know if they have groomers for guinea pigs but would a vet do this or who do I go to for help? Ps. No one in my family has any pets to help me I think his front toes are bent inwards because of his nails, any help would be appreciated thanks x

I would contact your local vet clinic to ask whether one of the nurses would do the nails for you. Many will do for a comparatively small fee; there is often a nurse or a vet that has guinea pigs themselves!
A goodly number of forum members have their piggies' nails cut this way, especially at first!

You may also profit from using a combination of love/asserting your authority/love piggy whispering tricks. When they know that they are appreciated but are not allowed to get away with naughty behaviour, things like nail cutting or medicating is becoming a lot easier. the rest is practice...
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Syringe Training Before The Need For Medicating

 

[DMS260820]

I would contact your local vet clinic to ask whether one of the nurses would do the nails for you. Many will do for a comparatively small fee. A goodly number of forum members have their piggies' nails cut this way!

You may also profit from using a combination of love/asserting your authority/love piggy whispering tricks. When they know that they are appreciated but are not allowed to get away with naughty behaviour, things like nail cutting or medicating is becoming a lot easier. the rest is practice...
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Syringe Training Before The Need For Medicating

i had trouble clipping my young pigs nails the other night. My wife held him in the end and made a wheeking sort of noise and to my surprise he stopped wriggling and calmed right down.

I use human nail clippers and guinea pig ones

 

[Nick G]

We still use a towel and 2 people ;0)

 

[DMS260820]

We still use a towel and 2 people ;0)

My vet reccomends that. I have never tried it

 

[Nick G]

It's much easier than you think and takes the stress away for you so you can focus on trimming the nails. That's what we find anyway

 

[DMS260820]

It's much easier than you think and takes the stress away for you so you can focus on trimming the nails. That's what we find anyway

I will try this thanks. My older pig is fine with it. I can do it myself. But the yoùng boy is a bit of a nightmare. And his claws are all black

 

[Nick G]

A torch can help as the nil even though black will let light through so u should be able to spot where the wick ends. This is where 2 people are needed though:0)

 

[Philippa98]

Thanks everyone I'm going to try again tomorrow with a towel and a bit of human help I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Lady Kelly]

some piggies do make it hard. My late Jemima was a stubborn lady and I just used to do one paw every week to prevent her getting too stressed

 

[EJMA82]

Also if you have a rescue near you, they will often do it for a small donation x

 

[Claire W]

I’m a whimp and take my piggies to the vets to have their nails done. It isn’t exactly cheap but they get a bit of a health check while they’re there which I like.

Best of luck

 

[DMS260820]

I’m a whimp and take my piggies to the vets to have their nails done. It isn’t exactly cheap but they get a bit of a health check while they’re there which I like.

Best of luck

I have to do my gerbils nails..when they get old they dont dig as much to wear them down. It takes ages

 

[Claire W]

I have to do my gerbils nails..when they get old they dont dig as much to wear them down. It takes ages

My goodness, I could never do my gerbils nails. How do you manage that?!

 

[DMS260820]

My goodness, I could never do my gerbils nails. How do you manage that?!

With great difficulty. I had to do like 1 paw a day. Theres a way of holding gerbils where they just surrender. Its hard though