Nails

I'm following this .... looking forward to hearing the responses. My boys HATE nail clipping time.

piggielife said:

I'm following this .... looking forward to hearing the responses. My boys HATE nail clipping time.

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Peanut always nips at me or the clippers, Olive just squirms, which makes it impossible to clip her nails.

I just take mine to the vet, it takes 2 people to clip Ferb's nails, one to hold him still and cram a carrot in his mouth and one to clip.

Rywen said:

I just take mine to the vet, it takes 2 people to clip Ferb's nails, one to hold him still and cram a carrot in his mouth and one to clip.

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Unfortunately, the closest (good) exotic vet is about 45 min away, and we don't have enough money to get it done. We do have enough for a vet visit if/when needed, but we can't afford spending our vet/piggy money on nail clipping when it's something I can take care at home.

I have five sows that all hate nail clipping. What I've found that works pretty good is to take a piece of fleece and wrap them up like you are swaddling a baby. Of course leave their head out and the one foot I want to work on.
I think it helps them feel more secure and they stay still. As I finished a foot I will wrap that one in and take another out.
i also hold them in my lap close to my body while trimming nails. Works for me.

LoveMyPigs25 said:

I have five sows that all hate nail clipping. What I've found that works pretty good is to take a piece of fleece and wrap them up like you are swaddling a baby. Of course leave their head out and the one foot I want to work on.
I think it helps them feel more secure and they stay still. As I finished a foot I will wrap that one in and take another out.
i also hold them in my lap close to my body while trimming nails. Works for me.

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I'll try that, thank you!

When I trim nails, I put the piggy on a table, next the edge so that one front and one hind foot is at the edge. This way, I can access 2 feet while the pig is in the same place. I put a mound of veg by their head to distract them, and gently pick up 1 foot and hold it in my left thumb + forefinger. Then I get someone else to shine a mini reading light up through their nails towards me, so that I can see the quick, and gently snip their nails in the right place.
@peachyteen, my Parsley pig tries to eat the clippers as well! One of my others (I have 3) just tries to lick the clippers (or just about anything else she can reach)

I understand your desire to use something to make clipping nail easier. I don't think a guinea pig would like filing any better than clipping, though, and still struggle.

There are as many different ways to clip nails as there are guinea pigs! People find a method that works for them and stick to it. I prefer to use the small animal clippers, while others prefer human toenail clippers. I like to hold the guinea pig on my lap, upright with his back to my stomach, with all four feet sticking out.

LoveMyPigs25 said:

I have five sows that all hate nail clipping. What I've found that works pretty good is to take a piece of fleece and wrap them up like you are swaddling a baby. Of course leave their head out and the one foot I want to work on.
I think it helps them feel more secure and they stay still. As I finished a foot I will wrap that one in and take another out.
i also hold them in my lap close to my body while trimming nails. Works for me.

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I do the same and with the black nails, I just allow them to stay a little longer. But I do clip them and a sliver at a time until I feel enough came off.