Brick Access - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Syithe** · #1 10-28-08, 10:08 am

In hopes of not having to cut our piggies claws we have their pen set up to access the unused fireplace which is tile/brick. We've had them for less than a month now and don't really know if its going to help keep their claws short, but I wanted to make sure that it wouldn't hurt them any. Does anybody else have experience with a similar setup?

**Janelle** · #2 10-28-08, 12:19 pm

I know that some fireplaces tend to be drafty, and guinea pigs don't do well with drafts. So make sure that it's nice and as air tight as possible. Also, if it's cold outside and the stone gets cold, they may not like being on it very much.

**Deenanicole08** · #3 10-28-08, 12:31 pm

It's not going to help a whole lot with their nails. You'll likely still have to trim them regularly. I wouldn't feel safe putting my pigs in a old fireplace, since it's often very cold in them in the winter.

**AnimalHouse36** · #4 10-28-08, 02:52 pm

There can often be drafts by a fireplace. Putting them on tile won't really help though. GUinea pigs rarely now to grind theiir claws on it and with winter coming they are destined to freeze!

There are alot of tricks to make claw trimming as swift as possible. SOmetimes is requires more than one person.

Here is a link to tricks on cutting nails: http://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

Well actualy it's more on just cutting them but I hope it helps!

**hueyeats** · #5 11-11-08, 04:07 pm

All piggies' nails have to be trimmed when it gets sharp or too long. I find that using the dremel (I have "pedipaw") is the easiest for me. Pedipaw's dremel action is slower than peticure's so its gentler on my GPs' paws. It literally takes a 3 count for each claws & my GP has not fought me once using this method. Oh and do give plenty of favourite treats after the nail trimmings.

Very * note... please secure your GP's claw as per the directions when filing the nails down. You do not want to have the GP's soft flesh / fur getting the unwanted friction of the dremel.

**BubuCandyBlue** · #6 11-11-08, 04:32 pm

Lucky the vet is coming to check out my boys next Monday, and she will trim the nails. You might do that as well Syithe, take them to the vet and watch carefully how they do it, so next time you'll know how.

**RainKindle** · #7 11-11-08, 09:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by hueyeats

All piggies' nails have to be trimmed when it gets sharp or too long. I find that using the dremel (I have "pedipaw") is the easiest for me. Pedipaw's dremel action is slower than peticure's so its gentler on my GPs' paws. It literally takes a 3 count for each claws & my GP has not fought me once using this method. Oh and do give plenty of favourite treats after the nail trimmings.

Very * note... please secure your GP's claw as per the directions when filing the nails down. You do not want to have the GP's soft flesh / fur getting the unwanted friction of the dremel.

I keep watching that product.
I thought it was too big for my tiny piggies nails!
Are you able to provide more info?

**Deenanicole08** · #8 11-11-08, 09:58 pm

I saw this thing at Petsmart and it was in the dog section so I didn't get it because I figured it would be too big, but its some sort of nail clipper, that can detect where the quick is so you dont cut too far! What a great idea, as long as it works. Has anyone heard of it, or tried it?

**hueyeats** · #9 11-11-08, 11:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainKindle

I keep watching that product.
I thought it was too big for my tiny piggies nails!
Are you able to provide more info?

That product is called Pedipaw.
Another similar product is called Peticure but it is supposed to be pricier & have faster rotation (which I am not comfortable using on my GP as slower means a gentler file for me, cats & dogs maybe more suitable for peticure{bigger claws you know}).

It has a single keyhole that you insert your pet's claw in. If the hole is bigger, it is OK as you need to be able to fit the claw into the hole. This product do have a complaint that due to the keyhole size, it is not suitable for big dogs at all as the claw cannot fit.

I think if you are comfy using the dremel on your GP, this product is a bit better as it is battery powered, so it is slower than the electric ones. It also has a dust collector from the nail dusts. For the price at $19.99, a lot of people urge that it is better to just get a regular dremel; but I had this product given to me almost free.

Also remember that you need to hold no longer than a 3 count for the nail to be filed. Do not place the nail longer than the 3 count especially if you are a newbie using this product. & please, please secure your pet's claw properly as per directed.

There is also a site if you google search that teaches you to use regular dremel to file the nails... which I will also agree that it would be more cost efficient rather than a dremel that is used only for trimming nails. At least with a regular dremel, you can get multi-uses out of one tool.