Clipping cavy claws.

[andrewc]

Hi!

I want to clip my boys nails, but they do not like to be picked up let alone held and clipped. I usually turn one of their pigoos upside down and wait for one of them to go in it to pick them up.

Any suggestions to clip their nails? I could go to the vet, but why pay for it when you can do it yourself!

 

[amfeider]

hold one firmly to your chest and clip the paws facing away from you then turn him around and do the other two. Veggies make good distactions.

 

[Zeander]

I clipped nails for the first time tonight. Pepper was a breeze! She was absolutly still while my fiance held her and I clipped. Mia on the other hand was uncontrolable. We didn't want to hurt her by holding her too tightly. She kept climbing on my arm and trying to eat me. I will try again on Monday.

 

[JackSpicerRules]

I use a normal nail clipper. It's not the best. You have to be very careful while doing it yourself. My piggie squealed when i clipped back to far >< I hold them gently and tell them its ok. After you clip the nails, give them a treat so they feel happy afterwards.

 

[Cherryrosed]

When I clipped my girls nails I didnt have any trouble with Lassie. She held pretty still for me. Poppy, on the other hand wouldn't hold still. She moved just when I was clipping and I clipped it too far back. I felt awful but it didn't bleed too long, (cornstarch works wonders), and I gave her a treat and apologized. It didn't change our relationsip though. She still runs as if I'm going to eat her when I try to catch her, but she loves lap time.

 

[Tucky4ever22]

I really don't want to hurt my piggy so I'll get my friend to do it. She's a vet!

 

[pennick]

I have taken my 2 piggies the last two times to the vet to have their nails clipped. I personally think taking them to the vet is very very stressful. I hate the idea that I cannot go into the room with the tech when he/she does their nails. I keep immagining the tech dropping my piggy and I would never know. I just have a very hard time clipping their nails. The quick is so close to the end of the nail. I am going to try to clip them myself again though.

 

[Cherryrosed]

There is no way I will take my piggies anywhere to get their nails clipped. I will just have to keep doing it no matter what. I am sure that with practice I will get better and I agree, taking them to the vet would be even more stressful. There is a lot of advice posted as to how to hold piggies while clipping their nails and I will soon learn.

 

[Percy's Mom]

I hate the idea that I cannot go into the room with the tech when he/she does their nails. I keep immagining the tech dropping my piggy and I would never know.

You can't go into the room with your piggy? I've never been to a vet that said I couldn't be in the room with my pet. That would seem like going to a pediatrician and having the doctor say that you couldn't be in there with your baby, to me at least.

 

[pennick]

You can't go into the room with your piggy? I've never been to a vet that said I couldn't be in the room with my pet. That would seem like going to a pediatrician and having the doctor say that you couldn't be in there with your baby, to me at least.

I just assumed that I couldn't join the tech. He just came and took them away. The next time, if there is a next time, I will ask to join him. There shouldn't be any reason why I couldn't.

 

[twofinepigs]

I had the same experience! We took Einie in to the local clinic, and we had him in an examining room, but when the tech came in she just took him and said she'd be back with him in a few minutes. I had the kids with me, so I didn't protest, but really I would just as soon be with him during an exam.

Maybe they think it will upset the owner if the pig makes distress noises?

Edited to add: I REALLY don't like clipping pig nails, at least the black ones. Hoover's feet and Einie's front ones are pink so those are easy, although they jerk with each clip which kind of ruins my nerve. But Einie's back ones are black and I know they are probably longer than they should be because I am afraid of quicking him.

I have one of the kids hold a pigger along their arm while they eat a carrot. I just take the foot and press it very gently to spread out the nails, and clip. I do front and back on one side and then we flip them 'round and do the other sides. It's pretty fast and the pigs don't protest, although it's obvious they would prefer I didn't handle their feet.

 

[mom to cujo]

For certain parts of the exam you should be allowed to stay in the room. I am sure that for anything that they feel may make the pet owner uncomfortable they remove the animal. For a nail clipping I see no reason you couldn't be in the room. I put the boys on my lap facing away from me - clip one side then the other. They don't love it, but it has to get done.