I feel so bad

[Haley0489]

Of course this thread is about cutting piggie nails! I'm quite sure ancient pigs developed this idea to have nails that needed trimming, just so we'd feel AWFUL afterwards and give them treats.

I'm really concerned about stressing my pigs/scaring them to death when I cut their nails. One of them just sits there and lets me run through his, but the other two twist and turn and paddle their feet in the air - not to mention biting until I turn purple and bleed. It seems like no matter what I try with these two they just HATE the experience. I've done towels, I've done a paw and put them down, I've even had to cut nails over the course of two days with ubber spaz, Norbie.

Milo is not the best patient, but he's not the worst and out of three pigs that puts him dead middle. I was doing his nails today and they're a bit overgrown in the back so I really can't put it off. He whined and wiggled, when I put him down on the blanket he just laid down and whined at me. I felt so bad and I was really worried I could possibly give him a heart attack or something.:guilty: What should I do with my problem piggers? Just keep trimming until I'm done or what?

Milo's now hanging in his hammock nearly asleep. He doesn't seem mad now, since I gave him an apple slice, but I know I've worn him out and I feel terrible. I'm sure this can't be good for their little hearts.

 

[Paula]

You aren't hurting them - you're actually making them feel a lot better in the long run. Some of my pigs don't mind letting me trim all the way through all the nails but some of them freak and squirm and squeal. One of my boys does a really funny thing where he kind of throws a temper tantrum in my arms and he shakes his arms like he's having a spasm or something.

The more consistent you are able to be with them, the easier the nail trimming will get for everybody as time goes by. Giving a special treat after cutting nails is a great idea - as you've learned, it sounds like.

 

[PixieStix]

Neither of my pigs like having their nails clipped, though one is much more tolerant than the other. The less tolerant pig will squirm and tends to squeal (usually for no reason) and will nip, sometimes quite hard. I'm just very gentle with her, and having another person to hold her while I clip helps a lot. I give her breaks in between (while keeping her on my lap) and just pet her for a minute or two before resuming. I also make sure to give her treats that she really loves during the nail clipping session, which she has grown to expect. The other girl is so sweet, she squirms a lot less and if she doesn't like something, she licks me until I stop, it's so sweet. I try to trim all their nails in one session, but if I miss a couple I don't think it's a big deal. It's stressful for me too, but I just remind myself it's for their own good and I would feel even worse if I let their nails grow too long. And of course after clipping's over they get cuddles and treats and pets before they go back, and they forgive me within a second or two, lol.

 

[Jane_G]

My pig does the same thing. She sounds like I'm torturing her. She sometimes screams/squeeks so loud that my kids think I'm killing her. I think she's learned that if she screams, I'll stop. Every time she makes that noise I check her, and no, I haven't hurt her, she just hates having her nails cut.

I use a towel around her middle almost like a sling with her back against me. I sit on the floor and she kind of sits on my crossed legs. One, or both of my kids help by holding the foot I'm trimming, since I'm holding her with the other hand. She doesn't try and bite them or me this way. She just makes A LOT of noise.

I just think your piggies have your number and are using your sensitive nature to their advantage. Just keep up with the extra veggie treats after. After all, veggies can make the world a whole better place in your world.

 

[gpigluver14]

I feel your pain. I've only cut through my one girl's quick once so far, fortunately, but I felt really bad afterward. It is heartbreaking to imagine that they are in pain, but they would be in MUCH more pain if we didn't trim their nails and let them grow and grow until they started growing into their paw. A couple seconds of pain from cutting into the quick is much better for them than that kind of pain.

I strongly suggest having food out for them to eat while you're trimming their nails. It does wonders for my girl! Mostly all her attention is focused on eating so she hardly notices that we are even cutting her nails. Give them a generous portion of something like grass, or lettuce- which is what I usually use- enough to keep them busy throughout the trimming.

What I also do is have someone else hold her in their lap and lift up each paw, as I trim. That way you can focus on trimming, and not keeping them still.

Hope that helps!

 

[paperlady]

I tried giving Jasmine a carrot while I was cutting her nails, and she bit pieces off and threw them away!

 

[faye205]

I can't cut their nails. I have to travel one hour and a half to see my vet so she can do it for me.

 

[babyboo]

I hold my piggies in a blanket and I think that helps. Then I usually can get all the way through without having to stop.

 

[DIGGYDI]

Hi, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has experienced difficulty with trimming the nails. My boys Spazz and Spudd fight me so much. I always feel guilty afterwards. But I know it needs to be done. Yes, I give them treats during nail trimming time. But it doesn't help much. Spudd bit me so hard he drew blood. I still love him though, and WILL continue to trim the nails.