What's the best way to trim nails?

[mielita]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]We are trying to figure out the best way to trim our guinea pig's nails. Our other guinea pig would eat the whole time we were cutting his nails, so it wasn't a big deal. Our new guinea pig is more skittish and will not eat constantly while we cut her nails, so it is a challenge. If you have any tips for easing the process of nail trimming, we would greatly appreciate it! [/FONT]

[auburnmare5]

Try easing them into it. Do a little bit each time and make progress. Or have two people do it and have one person hold the pigs still like petting or talking in a calm tone. Never get frustrated. Keep trying. If it really becomes an issue, you may want a vet to do it to avoid possible injury to your gp. Make sure it is an experienced gp vet.

[caribear]

I just hold mine carefully but firmly & clip. It is done in a snip. I take my time if the piggers need it. I then give them a carrot as a reward.

[Newpiggiemom]

My husband holds the pig facing out so I can see and cut the nails. I use a regular fingernail clipper, it's quick and easy.

[Justin]

I roll them up with a bath towel, securely. They don't like it. but it works like miracle for me.

My wife can somehow calm them down and do it without force. I will never figure that out though.

[ali's_pigs123]

I would hols the gp down and trim the nails while another person holds them down and maybe feed veggies.

[i-love-nev]

I got a long fleece scarf, cut right through to where the feet would on the pig and now I just wrap them in the scarf, put they're feet through the holes on it and then the thickness of the scarf holds they're feet in place so I can easily clip them. Thats how I found easiest.

[sophistic_chick]

Wow thats a good idea with the scarf! I usually have my boys on a towel and feed them their critter berries from oxbow.

[bamby71994]

I lay down a blanket and put him on top of the cage. Other wise he will bite me, and then I go through his cage and clip his nails.

[wheeek]

If you have a small playpen, you can take it apart, and make a small cage with it. Then put the piggy in and have someone hold it up for you. Their nails stick threw the bars and you can go underneath and clip.

[dufay]

Has anyone tried a Peticure (peticure.com). I don't know if the small model is too big, but it looks easier than trying to clip a moving target. As most of my girls' nails are black, I never trim enough either- too afraid of hurting them.

[i-love-nev]

Dufay - I don't see much point in them for guinea pigs for a few reasons - 1. They are sometimes noisy, making a stressed guinea pig, 2. There is still a risk of catching the quick, 3. It seems a lot to mess about with around a little GP.

[bizziesdad]

How much of the nail is it typcially safe to cut?