The dreaded nail trimming

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Delaine

Delaine

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I have made excuses for the past three nights. Enough is enough. Tonight is the night. Equipment is ready, two different clippers, the styptic powder & Q-tip (like taking an umbrella so it won't rain). The chair is moved under the bright kitchen light and my husband is seated in the chair.

The lucky pig gets put back in her cage and I have to break it to the victim, "It's time to do nails". As if she can't figure this out by my pounding heart, shaking hands and sweaty palms.

It isn't like I am new to trimming nails. I showed one dog in the obedience ring and the other one in conformation. Heaven forbid you showed up with anything but perfectly trimmed feet. I also trimmed the nails and beak of my pet starling, but guinea pig nails are so tiny.

I choose the human toe nail clippers. I never got comfortable with the cat scissor type. Better a little squeeze than a cut quick. All goes well, no blood. Zoe gets a cuddle and a piece of apple for being such a good girl and then the words she has been waiting for, "Back to your cage".

So how many of you dread trimming toe nails as much as me?
 
:(|) That made me chuckle

You'll feel like that the first few times, then you'll get used to it and it won't become such a mission, you'll be doing it like a pro in no time. :)
 
I have bee meaning to do it for a few days now :red but I get so nervous doing it because he has curled toe nails and I have to keep them as short as I can without cutting the red part of his toe. It is nerve racking because I don't want to hurt the little guy
 
I hate doing nails too. Ever since Phoebe bled that time, I'm so scared to do them. I find it far easier to do it by myself though, my Mum used to help but I get worried when she is there as she gets worried!
My girls nails need doing again, dreading it!
 
Yes I am really not keen on doing their nails either - Sampson has some black nails - argh. I have to tackle 2 feet per session and then have a break before the next 2 because I forget to breathe when cutting! One of my New Year's resolutions is to become more skilled at nail clipping:))
 
When I phoned to get my two girls, I had three things that were important to me. They must both be sows, have short hair and "white toe nails".
 
I think I prefer the nail clippers sold for small animals. My rabbit is horrible to cut nails because she likes to kick about when she feels she has had enough and her feet are so fluffy it is hard to see what you are doing! So I tend to let her dig in the garden to keep her nails a nice length. Keeps everyone happy then...apart from my mum :))
 
I hate it too! I find my rabbits nails much easier to clip than my guinea pigs!
I dread "nail clipping time" at work, I have 27 guinea pigs and 18 rabbits to do...10 of the rabbits are continental giants...clipping those nails is an olympic event, I swear!
 
This made me laugh! But it is incrediblt true :) It's really hard for me, Mocha has brown nails so i can't tell were the quick is so I sometimes, accidently cut the quick :(
 
Its mission impossible in my house too! We just take them to the vets now. I can't stand the wriggling!

Amy
x
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. I always feel comforted to know I am not alone with my piggy concerns. All your support and advice makes owning guinea pigs way more fun. The only problem is I am getting addicted to this forum.
 
I HATE doing nails, Mdluli always freaks out and Sophie just sits still in fear .. I dont know which is worse ... I still haven't needed to do Nala's nails as they have stayed really short since I got her but I'm dreading when I will need to!
 
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