Is it Safe?: Ramp Question - Nail-O-Matic

[Gabapple]

I was looking through the forums for an answer to this question, and found this old one here - http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...-covering.html - but didn't want to bump it, especially since it's not exactly the same question.

What I am wondering is if it would be safe to use a Nail-O-Matic track as the material for a ramp. We used the nail-o-matic in a wodent wheel for our rats, despite it being made for Sugar Gliders, and it worked just perfectly for keeping their nails short and their feet healthy. So why not take the track and put it on a ramp made of, say, Coroplast?

The website for the nail-o-matic is here: Trim Sugar Glider Nails

It's basically a long strip of sandpaper with a plastic grid sewn on top. The idea is that their nails go through the grid and rub on the sandpaper, while their feet get good traction on the nice plastic and stay happy.

I guess my biggest concerns are if it's safe and big enough. The website there lists it as being about 37" long, 4 3/4" wide... so probably more than long enough, but I am not sure if it's wide enough. What about two lined up together? Or, alternatively, making one from scratch to fit specifications.

Thanks in advance!

[Toadies]

The plastic grid doesn't look too thick, which would be my major concern (catching toenails). I know that sugar glider nails are alot smaller/finer than piggs, so piggy nails shouldn't be in danger. You could also get a fine grade sandpaper at the hardware store for a lot less and use double face tape to secure it to the surface of whatever. Then you could make it as wide as you needed.

[Aertyn]

Why can't you just trim the pigs nails yourself?

I'd be worried about them shredding their feet, even the fine grade sandpapers would irritate the skin eventually. Think about it? If you rub a fine grade sandpaper on YOUR skin will it take the skin away? Yes. It's made to sand WOOD not skin, even the tough skin on the bottom of their feet will be rubbed raw.

[Gabapple]

Thanks for the helpful replies, guys. I was just curious - mostly for traction getting up the ramp! To be honest, I like the idea of carpet better, anyway.

[PixieStix]

I use fleece for traction. Works well, however does get worn down after a while.

[Aertyn]

If you need traction, I suggest something like a ribbed towel or blanket...or even industrial carpet (it can be washed or hosed down). But I've used fleece with success, as long as the angle isn't too steep the pigs don't have a problem.