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I cut my piggies' nails and now they're mad

SavyCavyGirl

SavyCavyGirl

Junior Guinea Pig
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So I've had my guinea pigs for about a month now, and I just cut their nails for the first time. It was the first time I've ever cut guinea pig nails, so I was a little iffy, but I got it done and didn't cause any bleeding. I didn't hit the quick, but sometimes they pulled their feet away. I don't think I hurt them, but please tell me if you think it's possible. Anyways afterwards, one of the guinea pigs (who I don't think was every handled with her past owner), hasn't really warmed up to us, so she was a normal scared, but she got a LOT of pee flakes, and seamed pretty settled. However, with my other guinea pig is very curious and has really gotten to know us. She isn't really afraid and lets us hold and touch her without trying to run or freezing up. She takes food out of my hand, and in all is pretty tame now. But after I cut her nails, she refuses to take food out of my hand, and won't come to meet me when I get near the cage. Is she always going to be mad at me? Or is this normal. I'm afraid that she will never really trust us again, but I'm probably way overreacting. I'm hoping tomorrow she is back to her old self. Please help!
 
No piggies like their nails being cut and some scream so much you'd think they were being murdered! It's just something they have to get used to. Your piggies will forgive you! When you get them out for lap time, slowly get them used to having their feet touched.

Next time you do their nails you could try wrapping them up in a blanket like sausage roll with the paw out that you wish to cut the nails of, clip the nails, unwrap, wrap back up again with another paw out and clip nails unwrap and carry on until all nails have been clipped. This was the only way that I could clip my Rainbow Piggy Christian's nails first of all. I also had a helper to hold him while I trimmed his nails which made it easier.
 
Don't worry a few of their favourite veggies and they'll literally be eating out of your hand in no time.
 
Yup! I went to them this morning- offered a pea flake and Roxi practically jumped to me to get her pea flake. She’s forgiven me. Luna- my shy one, even took a pea flake without hiding! ☺️
 
I did my piggies nails this morning. Meg has 3 white toes on her right front paw and all the rest are black so its a complete nightmare to do! Guess who moved so Mummy cut the quick of one of the black nails?
 
I always have a dish of cornflour at hand when I do nails.
There’s usually one who wriggles at just the wrong moment.
It takes 2 of us, a towel to wrap piggy in and lots of bribes
 
My boys were little angels when it was nail clipping time this weekend but that's not always the case. It's taken a lot of foot petting during cuddle time to earn their trust and I'm sure I've not seen the end of cutting the quick, wriggling and screeching piggies and giving up and doing a paw a day until it's done.
 
Well done for doing it. It took me 4 years to gain confidence and it was only when I adopted my second pair of boars I knew that I had to learn to save paying the vets. Lenny and Benny my two dominant boars in separate pairs rule the roost but are by far the whoosy ones when it comes to nail trimming. All the above advice is spot on. The only thing I can add is exude confidence as much as you can 😁
 
Most pigs hate nail trims. They will forgive you. Food will help! LOL!
 
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