Need Alternatives For Nail Trimming!

[MichelleM]

I'm ready to tear my hair out over trying to clip my pigs' nails. I've looked all over online. I have tried every single technique there is. My pigs WILL NOT allow their nails to be trimmed, and I desperately need some help.

I've tried holding them. They aren't okay with being held. Doesn't matter if it's in a towel. Doesn't matter if it's one person holding, one person trimming. Doesn't matter if it's me, my partner, the vet, or the Cesar Millan of guinea pigs. They. will. not. hold. still. Because they won't hold still their nails can't be cut without cutting the quick. There is physically no way to keep them still that will not endanger them.

I've tried covering their head with a blanket. They either decide to burrow into the blanket to play, or they bolt the second they feel anything touch their feet.

I can trick them into getting their front nails trimmed because they stand up in the cage and hold onto the bars for treats, and I can quickly clip them through the bars. There's no way to do this for their back nails. If I make them stand and try to distract them with food, it doesn't matter because the second something touches their nail, they're gone.

I've tried every single strategy the internet has to offer, and nothing works. I need a way to get their nails shorter that doesn't involve clippers. I've tried the scissor clippers made for guinea pigs. I've tried human nail clippers. I've tried baby nail clippers. Absolutely nothing has worked.

What alternatives are there?

 

[mshappy89]

If you are really struggling I would perhaps book them into your local vets and have the nurse do.it for you

 

[Wiebke]

I'm ready to tear my hair out over trying to clip my pigs' nails. I've looked all over online. I have tried every single technique there is. My pigs WILL NOT allow their nails to be trimmed, and I desperately need some help.

I've tried holding them. They aren't okay with being held. Doesn't matter if it's in a towel. Doesn't matter if it's one person holding, one person trimming. Doesn't matter if it's me, my partner, the vet, or the Cesar Millan of guinea pigs. They. will. not. hold. still. Because they won't hold still their nails can't be cut without cutting the quick. There is physically no way to keep them still that will not endanger them.

I've tried covering their head with a blanket. They either decide to burrow into the blanket to play, or they bolt the second they feel anything touch their feet.

I can trick them into getting their front nails trimmed because they stand up in the cage and hold onto the bars for treats, and I can quickly clip them through the bars. There's no way to do this for their back nails. If I make them stand and try to distract them with food, it doesn't matter because the second something touches their nail, they're gone.

I've tried every single strategy the internet has to offer, and nothing works. I need a way to get their nails shorter that doesn't involve clippers. I've tried the scissor clippers made for guinea pigs. I've tried human nail clippers. I've tried baby nail clippers. Absolutely nothing has worked.

What alternatives are there?

Try gaining their trust with some piggy whispering - telling them you want them and you love them. Then start touching and manipulating their feet, with lots of encouragement and praise, piggy kisses and a little treat. Assure your authority in a friendly manner. It won't be a quick process, but it is the best way to eventually get there.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

If clippers or scissors don't work, a file may - but try to win their trust first!

 

[MichelleM]

If you are really struggling I would perhaps book them into your local vets and have the nurse do.it for you

Like I said in my original post, I tried the vet. Even the vet can't get them still enough. We spent 15+ minutes in the room and there was no progress. Vet is not a viable option.

@Wiebke, I've had them for over a year. I've gotten as far as being able to pet them which is fantastic, and I have been building their trust. It is a slow process, which I'm fine with, but their nails are getting too long and I really can't wait any more.

I'm really looking for an option that doesn't involve clippers. I've tried everything, I promise I have tried everything. Clippers are simply a no-go.

 

[mshappy89]

Like I said in my original post, I tried the vet. Even the vet can't get them still enough. We spent 15+ minutes in the room and there was no progress. Vet is not a viable option.

@Wiebke, I've had them for over a year. I've gotten as far as being able to pet them which is fantastic, and I have been building their trust. It is a slow process, which I'm fine with, but their nails are getting too long and I really can't wait any more.

I'm really looking for an option that doesn't involve clippers. I've tried everything, I promise I have tried everything. Clippers are simply a no-go.

Sorry I missed the part about the vet in your first post..

 

[Wiebke]

Like I said in my original post, I tried the vet. Even the vet can't get them still enough. We spent 15+ minutes in the room and there was no progress. Vet is not a viable option.

@Wiebke, I've had them for over a year. I've gotten as far as being able to pet them which is fantastic, and I have been building their trust. It is a slow process, which I'm fine with, but their nails are getting too long and I really can't wait any more.

I'm really looking for an option that doesn't involve clippers. I've tried everything, I promise I have tried everything. Clippers are simply a no-go.

Have you tried filing (which I have mentioned in my first post)?

If you need to have the nails cut NOW, then the only way forward I can see is to have it done at the vets under light sedation.

 

[MichelleM]

@Wiebke, my apologies, I did not actually see that.

I also apologize because I realize I'm coming off as rude. I truly do appreciate the suggestions. I feel like I've been running in circles with this issue because I'm terrified of hurting my pigs, but I'm also anxious about how long their nails can get before it becomes a health issue.

I've tried a basic nail file, but they don't like anything near their feet. Would it work if I put, say, a smooth rock (like the kind you find in rock gardens) in front of their hay bin for them to walk over to help wear them down?

 

[Betsy]

Hmmm difficult one this! What I was going to suggest you have already tried. If you are worried that they are so long there is a health issue then I would do as @Wiebke has suggested and ask the vet to put them under a light sedative to get the nails cut.

 

[rome_italy]

same story here!
I have found a strategy, but it works only for ONE nail at a time usually... then the piggie realises the trick and the game is over...
Stay still, next to the window, in the light. Piggie in your arm or on your lap. Don't hold his paws, but find a way or waiting for the right moment for having a paw NOT in contact with any surface and your body. Hold a nail clipper and approach the clipper to the nail without touching it. Check the inner quick through the light, don't put the clipper too much near the extremity of the quick, stay on the safe side... stop breathing, don't move and.... ZAC!
The piggie sometimes does not even realise what has just happened! otherwise he will jump, will retreat his paw and you have finished your work. Tomorrow another nail (maybe).
Have the clipper at hand during lap/cuddle time; they sometimes relax, stretch chooken legs, have their long nails visible... that is the right moment!
if you manage to cut nails only once in a while, as I also do, that is not a problem... don't become obsessed with the nails because a piggie is healthy even when he has long nails like these below:

I managed to trim those nails then, but I needed time for finding the right day, the strategy and the right moment; in the meanwhile the piggie lived her life happily just the same and I would never sedate her or use any light drug for such things... actually here the vets trim the nails only for doing you a favour, it is NOT their duty (you are even supposed to thank them for the service) and some of them don't even do that.

 

[Reenie]

If you are unable to cut the nails, what about giving them floor time on a concrete or slab surface every day? It might be sufficient to wear the nails down a bit?

 

[GPTV]

My Grace is a complete COW for having her nails clipped with me, the vet has more luck - because she freezes as he's a stranger (not as much of a stranger as i would like him to be- as i keep having to take her to the vets! but hey ho!)
i've never had any luck with the towel method either.

As RomeItaly suggests try one nail at a time.
I find i get the most luck by either ...

A- putting Grace on a towel on the table with a faceful of food to bury her head in, whilst stroking her side & pushing the hair away from her back feet - that are usually tucked away neatly&conveniently out of sight (& clipper reach). gradually lull her into a false sense of security & slide the clippers along the towel towards her nails (mine are like scissors with a circular groove partway), as soon as the tip of the nail is surrounded then close & cut the nail. if they are really long then the Quick grows to the same length away from the tip, so only cut small pieces off at a time anyway.

or
B- getting a stranger to sit down & hold your guinea firmly/securely with guineas back against their chest, feet all facing forwards, one hand supporting/cupping the bum area - index&middle finger between their legs(guineas!), with the thumb & ring finger on the outer sides of guineas legs.
with the other hand supporting guineas chest & forelegs, again index & middle finger between guineas legs, that way each leg can be secured in turn for the clipping to commence!

or
C- my other guinea Orca lies on my arm-nose in crook of my elbow & dangles her back legs over my forearm, i just clip away a little at a time & i don't think she even realises i'm cutting her nails! Bonus!

or
D- as Wiebke suggest try filing the nails down a little at a time, then if guinea pulls away her feet it wont matter as it wont do any harm.
or maybe but a rough brick in the cage near guineas food so that it has to walk on it each time it eats, so wearing down the nails at the same time?
oh edit... i just noticed you put that... yes good idea

Good luck though, i know what a complete nightmare Grace is - its always a 2 or 3 person chore as she's such a diva!

xx

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

If your vet can't cut a guinea pigs nails, then I would be looking for another vet. Your piggy might not be the most co-operative, but a vet should be able to do this. However, I got called in by someone who couldn't give their cat a tablet and they had been to the vet who couldn't do it either. I managed just fine! I do worry about some vets! If you can't hold a guinea pig firmly, how are they going to manage to deal with a large dog!

 

[Julie M]

If your vet can't cut a guinea pigs nails, then I would be looking for another vet. Your piggy might not be the most co-operative, but a vet should be able to do this. However, I got called in by someone who couldn't give their cat a tablet and they had been to the vet who couldn't do it either. I managed just fine! I do worry about some vets! If you can't hold a guinea pig firmly, how are they going to manage to deal with a large dog!

I was thinking this too. You need a new piggie savvy vet.

 

[Merab]

Can you try a vet nurse rather than a vet?