Cutting Nails

[Cavy_Guy]

My Pigs nails were really long because i just adopted her so I cut the edges off and they cracked a little they didnt bleed or anything but i wanted to know it it was ok?:eye-poppi

 

[Skyenoir]

It's fine, as long as they didn't bleed and your piggie didn't freak out. They probably just cracked because they were so long and hadn't been cut in a long time. My cat's nails do the same thing, even though I cut them once a month. They will get smooth with normal activity.

 

[Tucky4ever22]

There's a bloodline running through her nails. You don't want to cut it too short, because she'll bleed everywhere! If you do cut it too short, no problem! Cornstarch will help stop the the bleeding! You can see the bloodline in some cavies. You could take her to the Vet also!

 

[fourbwabbys]

Also, if you cut it too short and it bleeds, you can dip it in pancake mix to stop the bleeding.

 

[Cavy_Guy]

Ok thanks for the tips they didnt bleed this time they just cracked.

 

[TheQueen]

The bloodline is called the quick. I've never cut the quick, but if you do, you'll know! I was at a friend's house and she cut Pickles (her pig) nails too short, nipping the quick. He wheeked so loudly I thought the mirror was going to crack. It bled, and we put something on it. It wasn't cornstarch, because they didn't have any. I think it was plain baking flour. That works too.

 

[Cavy_Guy]

Ok thanks.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

you can dip it in pancake mix to stop the bleeding.

I don't recommend dipping it in pancake mix. You can use cornstarch or plain flour. I think every pig owner should invest in a styptic stick so if they do happen to cut a nail too short (and it happens to all of us) you can just use the styptic stick to stop the bleeding.

 

[butterflymiss]

what do u actually use to cut the nails? I've been told a 'kids' nail cutter is ok to use?!?!?! Is this ok, or should we go out and get specific nail clippers?

 

[amfeider]

I think people cippers are easier to use than the ones for small animals.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

what do u actually use to cut the nails? I've been told a 'kids' nail cutter is ok to use?!?!?! Is this ok, or should we go out and get specific nail clippers?

Cat clippers work very well. Baby clippers are hard to use on grown pigs.

Please don't use chatspeak on the forum. The word is "you" not "u". Also you don't need to overpunctuate your sentences. Instead of ?!?!?!, a simple ? will do. Thanks.

 

[butterflymiss]

sorry again about the chat speak, am so used to using msn (messenger)
we have baby clippers here, so may use them. But looks like we dont need to yet... just looked, and the nails are ok for now!
thanks

 

[natwooten]

I use toenail clippers on mine....i am in vet tech school..for quicks you can use anything from from coffee grounds to corn starch to stop the bleeding

 

[cavy-cool-crazy]

I use the clippers you get for dogs/cats nails. They work great, and, as yet, there have been no accidents.

I used coffee grounds when my Charlie pig ripped his claw off. He jumped into his store-bought cage (this was back in January when I didn't find this site) and caught his nail wrong. Blood everywhere, until we used the only thing we had at the time- coffee grounds. Now I have a supply of blood-stopping powder (which looks much like ordinary flour) to hand every time they all get their nails clipped!

 

[TheQueen]

I used to have special pig nail clippers; they were like dog clippers but smaller. Man, they worked really well! Then my cousin broke them -glare- Now I use regular human nail clippers until I find some kitty or pig ones in a store or online. Regular one work just as well, but I have to be careful because you can't see as well as you can with kitty or pig ones, so it's easier to accidentally cut the quick.

Ly, where can we get styptic sticks? I don't think I've ever heard of them before...

 

[mommyX2]

What are and where can you find these styptic sticks??

I don't recommend dipping it in pancake mix. You can use cornstarch or plain flour. I think every pig owner should invest in a styptic stick so if they do happen to cut a nail too short (and it happens to all of us) you can just use the styptic stick to stop the bleeding.

 

[pigsnchins]

Styptic sticks and powder can be found in the area of your local stores (WalMart, pharmacies, grocery stores, etc.) where you find men's razors, etc. They also carry types of styptic powders in pet stores for exactly these types of things.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

It's also called "kwik stop".
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