Lava stone?

[Silver_mist]

I have heard it keeps hamster and gerbils nails trimmed, will it work for guinea pigs?

 

[bpatters]

I assume you mean that you put the stone down in the bottom of the cage and let them walk over it, not that you try to rub it against their nails while you're holding them. That would be cruel, and the pig would be uncooperative.

I have no idea whether walking on one would work or not, but I tend to doubt it.

 

[mommazilla]

I've kept a lava stone in my cage under the water bottle from the start and I still have to trim nails every couple weeks. Actually, come to think of it, their back nails which don't touch the stone are shorter than their fronts which do. Hmm. Anyway, I think they'd have to do some serious walking across the stones before you see a difference.

 

[MissJean]

Some people swear that putting a brick under the water bottle keeps their nails trimmed down better, but I'm a skeptic.

 

[Tunundary]

If it can grind down their nails think what it'll do to their dainty feet.

 

[Dee_E]

It could also harm the pads of their feet.

 

[madelineelaine]

yeah I'd be concerned about the soft pads of their feet!

 

[piggy1321]

i always thought that were supposed to chew on the lava rock...is that true?

 

[bpatters]

No, why would they chew on lava rock?

 

[CavyMama]

i always thought that were supposed to chew on the lava rock...is that true?

No, lava rock is NOT edible and is likely to break some teeth. It's used more to wear down nails. The jury is out on whether it actually works.

 

[piggy1321]

ok thank you.