Clipping Nail Problem!

[oliveandmabel]

I’ve been cutting my pigs nails every 3-4 weeks, and until recently this has been going as expected with no issues. However, the last couple of times of trimming on one of my pigs back nails, I’m unable to trim it as the quick is right down to the bottom of the nail. Is there anything that I can do to help?

I’ve been putting them out in their run daily as it is warm weather. Their run is over concrete slabs so I’ve been hoping that will naturally shorten her nails.

My other pig has been doing great with nail growth and the quick is out of the way but it’s just olive I’m worried about as I don’t want the nail to curve. It’s not curving at the moment but I know it will start to soon.

Vets in my area aren’t doing routine appointments so what can I do? Any suggestions are helpful

 

[Sue and Smartie]

You can use a nail file to shape the nail rather than clippers - I used to do that on my pig with a black foot as I couldn't see where the quick was at all! It's a lot less alarming for whoever is doing the trimming although it takes a lot longer of course.

 

[oliveandmabel]

You can use a nail file to shape the nail rather than clippers - I used to do that on my pig with a black foot as I couldn't see where the quick was at all! It's a lot less alarming for whoever is doing the trimming although it takes a lot longer of course.

Thank you! I’ll give that a go and see if the quick starts to recede over time. You have given me hope!

 

[Free Ranger]

Old George has black nails and the ones at the front have gone curly but they don't impede his walking and they don't dig into his pads - now his feet are a bit old and puffy they actually curl up and out to the side a bit like Turkish slippers. It's only the outside nail we have to watch out for as that one goes under.

 

[Siikibam]

Maybe leave them a little longer in between trimmings? The quick shouldn’t be too near the tip. Or trim off just the very tip.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Maybe leave them a little longer in between trimmings? The quick shouldn’t be too near the tip. Or trim off just the very tip.

Yes I agree, 3 to 4 weeks may be a bit too frequent for there to much to cut off... some pigs have surprisingly long toes and although the nails may look long there are toes inside! 6-8 weeks is more usual I think between trims and even then not every nail might need doing- some grow more slowly and have a longer quick, even on the same pig and same foot... Ollie has extremely long freaky toes and after hurting him a couple of times by accident, we wait 10-12 weeks to make sure I dont cut his poor gorgeous black toes while guessing where his live feety bits stop!

 

[oliveandmabel]

Yes I agree, 3 to 4 weeks may be a bit too frequent for there to much to cut off... some pigs have surprisingly long toes and although the nails may look long there are toes inside! 6-8 weeks is more usual I think between trims and even then not every nail might need doing- some grow more slowly and have a longer quick, even on the same pig and same foot... Ollie has extremely long freaky toes and after hurting him a couple of times by accident, we wait 10-12 weeks to make sure I dont cut his poor gorgeous black toes while guessing where his live feety bits stop!

Thank you! The other nails seem to be growing okay and I could probably cut those slightly so maybe I need to get out of the mindset that every nail needs cutting. Mabel definitely needs monthly as her nails grow unbelievably fast, but I'll try leaving Olive's for a bit longer and see what happens.

 

[oliveandmabel]

Maybe leave them a little longer in between trimmings? The quick shouldn’t be too near the tip. Or trim off just the very tip.

Thank you, another person has said to leave longer between so I'll definitely be trying that. Will the quick continue to move down the nail or will it sort of stay where it is? That's my main concern as I don't want to be left with no opportunity to trim them

 

[Claire W]

My piggies go to the vets every 6-8 weeks to have their nails cut as Edward's are curly, Elizabeth is a wiggle bum and Ella's are black. Esme's wasn't too long this time round so the vet only took off the tips. It really does vary from pig to pig but I agree that every 3-4 weeks may be a bit too frequent

 

[oliveandmabel]

My piggies go to the vets every 6-8 weeks to have their nails cut as Edward's are curly, Elizabeth is a wiggle bum and Ella's are black. Esme's wasn't too long this time round so the vet only took off the tips. It really does vary from pig to pig but I agree that every 3-4 weeks may be a bit too frequent

Thank you for your help, I'm definitely leaving longer in-between