Trouble Cutting Nails

Status
Not open for further replies.
piggie smitten

piggie smitten

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
352
Reaction score
262
Points
405
Location
King's Lynn, Norfolk
Hi, I know there are dozens of threads on this subject and I think I have read them all but I am still having trouble with nail cutting. How do you hold their little feet still without them constantly pulling away just when you get the clippers in place? I'm lucky in that their nails are clear but I just cant stop them pulling away. I've tried occupying them with food and my other half holds them with their backs against him like I've read on here but if I do manage to cut any off its such a tiny bit it doesn't really make any difference. I dont really want to take them to the vet just for this as Bubble especially hates travelling and goes into freeze mode for ages afterwards (although of course if they did need the vet I wouldn't hesitate to take them). I wish there was someone I could pay to do it for me at home!
 
Is there anybody on the forum that lives near by you? Maybe you could ask. Shame I am far away as I would like to help.
 
Thanks piggyfan, theres nobody as far as I know. If there is anyone out there near kings lynn I would be happy to pay you to cut them for me.
 
Have you tried just holding the foot a little firmly? I know it is difficult and mine pull away too.
 
I worry that if I hold it too firmly I'm going too hurt them, especially as they're pulling away with quite a bit of force. Amazing how strong they can be when they want to. I've also tried just letting the foot rest on my finger but they still move it just as I get the clippers to it. Apart from nail cutting they're great with whatever you want to do with them, bum cleaning etc. They're extremely tame and trusting. I guess I'll just have to show them who's boss (them usually)!
 
I feel you may need to be a little firmer and hopefully they will submit. It does feel mean but you are cutting their nails to be kind.
 
I;'m terrible with nails, I've given up now and take them to the vets, costs £5.00. The back ones are okay its the front that cause real problems for me
 
I try to put their front feet on my desk with their butts on my knee and try to cut the front claws from there. I put some treats on the desk at mouth level. I'm not sure if this will help. Back legs are still trouble for me too x
 
I can't do nail clipping on my own so have trained the hubby to hold the piggies while I do it. Some piggy rescues will do it for you for a small fee.
 
I don't think there are any rescues near me, there are none on the rescue locator anyway. I didn't really want to traumatise them by putting them in the car as they hate it. Other half holds them for me but I can't seem to keep their feet still while I cut. I think it doesn't help as I'm so hesitant that they just pull away before I get the clippers on the nail.
 
Yay! Last night I managed to get all their front nails done. There was a lot of fidgeting and a carrot was needed for bribery but we got there in the end with no bloodshed(although if Bubble had had his way there would have been)! Just the back ones to go which I don't find as daunting as they're further from the teeth!
 
Hi i am also having troubled cutting nails and also the guinea pigs nails get so dirty does anyone have any tips on how to keep them clean?
 
sport_billy said:
@Rebeccaxx

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Get some nail clippers like these

Click to expand...
.
Yes these are the kind of nail clippers I got too I used to have the spring loaded type ones years ago when I had my old guinea pig. And it took 2 people to cut snowballs nails :evil:. I cut my new piggies nails recently, I sat them on my lap on a lap pad with their head facing away from me bum against my stomach. I Just held their little foot gently but firmly and cut their nails. They pulled their feet away and Alby squealed like a pig but job done eventually. Lol. Well done for cutting their nails. You will get there in the end. :clap:
 
I always have 2 people, most of the time me and my mum [still living at home atm] she holds him while I do the clipping, generally mum tips roger back slightly which seems to calm him a bit but he does still pull away so all we do is when he kicks as it were we just hold as much of his leg as possible with the hand while concentrating the ends of your fingers on each nail which doesn't hurt him at all but is a good hold and after a few wriggles roger gives in a just lets us get on with it (:
 
The above nail clippers are good, I use them also. I tend to cut my piggies by myself unless the OH is available to help.

I put them on my lap, use my arm to restrain them and get hold of the paw. I do get nipped occasionally. If I'm lucky they might even flop out too so I can stretch out the back leg for the back nails.
 
For people on facebook, you may want to look at the Cavy Corner site, there is a clip on nail clipping posted on 28th June

I'd like to know what people think ...
 
I put my guinea pigs nails in water for a minute or so then they are nice and soft. I hold my guinea pigs back again my stomach and trim them quickly hope this helped :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top