Cutting Guinea Pigs Nails = Hard!

[Lorcan]

What does it look like on a black nail...? I don't know whay I'd be looking for :o

If you shine a torch on the nail, you should see what I can best describe as a thread running from the top of the nail towards the tip; it'll be in the centre of the nail,and won't reach the end. That's the quick,it's what you want to avoid cutting.

 

[SkinnyPigRiver]

Found this on Amazon, used it for the first time tonight: all nails are done! It's fast, relatively quiet, and makes me feel a lot more secure when it comes to dark nails. I filed them blunt and that was that.

 

[Tiamolly123]

This is so funny

 

[Tiamolly123]

 

[Tiamolly123]

Does anyone's piggy clinch there little hands tight when having the claws done.

 

[Her Nibship]

Oh yes! Doug (in my avatar photo) tries every trick in the book, whilst keeping up a pitiful squeal. His wifepig, Flo, who is VERY nervous due to being a rescue pig who came from a very bad situation, sits like a dream to have hers done and just looks at Doug as if to say, "Oh, man up!"
P.S. Flo isn't usually sexist!

 

[Lorcan]

Does anyone's piggy clinch there little hands tight when having the claws done.

Comet retracts his legs and brings them as close to his body as possible, but other than that he's fairly well behaved getting his done. Blitzen doesn't do that. He just goes straight to "bite the evil fingers"

 

[ChloeCee98]

Well I tried to cut Faunas nails because she's a bit calmer on my lap but gosh darnit I cut her quick! She just made a wee squeak but was fine after. It was bleeding but I held some pressure on to it and cleaned it with normal saline.

I feel terrible and made sure I gave her plenty piggy hugs and kisses after with a bribe of parsley... I just feel awful!

She has pure black nails on all four paws and it's very hard to see. Any tips on cutting black nails? I might just file them from now on. She doesn't seem to bother too much...

Even though she's a very scared pig, she's the calmest on my lap!

Shine a torch underneath them or go close to a window x

 

[KLY]

Found this on Amazon, used it for the first time tonight: all nails are done! It's fast, relatively quiet, and makes me feel a lot more secure when it comes to dark nails. I filed them blunt and that was that.

What is that called? It is quite easy to use on difficult piggies?

 

[KLY]

Thanks everyone for their input! I really appreciate it! I am going to invest in a head torch to help find Faunas' quick! Thankfully the piggies nails have been done with difficulty and don't need to be done again for a while... when I rescued them, their nails were that long they started to curl a funny way and they were sooooo long... you will see Floras black foot - her nails curl to the left...!

 

[SkinnyPigRiver]

Same with my River; her forepaws have nails curling in random directions. Sort of freaky.

 

[TheBoarsBaggins]

I actually just cut my boars' nails a few hours ago for the first time ever. I had cats my whole life and my mom and I always teamed up to cut their nails and that was always quite the struggle!

I was nervous to cut too close to the quick but I decided to just clip a tiny bit as this was my first time ever.

The three of us had a surprisingly great experience! So pretty much I sat them on my lap and had pepper chunks at the ready to stuff in their mouths when they were getting wiggly and it worked like a charm. Animals really do feed off our energy so send them good vibes and some of their favorite veggies in small bits. It's a necessity so I just figured I'd get them used to it sooner rather than later. So much easier than cats!

 

[SkinnyPigRiver]

What is that called? It is quite easy to use on difficult piggies?

Sorry; I don't think I get all of my notifications! Just saw this question!

I used the file for the second time tonight and it was great. It takes patience no matter what when the piggies curl up their paws, but the file lets me blunt the nails. I take off about 1 mm max each time.

I got it on Amazon, and here's the pic/info.

Electric Pet Nail Grinder by Hertzko – For Gentle and Painless Paws Grooming, Trimming, Shaping, and Smoothing for Dogs, Cats, Rabbits and Birds – Portable & Rechargeable, Includes USB Wire

 

[*kate*]

I could never do them on my own, I hold, Hubby cuts! We are very lucky in that Hettie is very compliant but Tilly used to make such a fuss and nip us if she could!