Neglected Guineas Need Help with Grooming :(

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Alexis222

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Hello,
My boyfriend and I just rescued 2 guinea pigs that were surrendered to a pet store. The pet store workers said that the past owners did not seem to take very good care of them. The lady said that she thinks they’ve never been groomed/gotten their nails trimmed. Obviously, when they were taken into the store, the workers trimmed their nails. However, their nails are still very curved and hooked towards the side. It’s been about 2 weeks since we’ve gotten them and I was just wondering when it would be a good idea to try to trim them again... and how I should go about it so it doesn’t hurt them. I really feel bad for how they were treated before :( thanks in advance
 
All my older piggies have had curled nails and as long as it's not affecting their walking or digging into the pads I've not worried about it. Most have arrived older - Flora was relatively young at 2 and hers are still sharp! George is 4 and a fatty and he's got some proper thick curly-wurly black nails at the front. It's a tricky one... trim too often and I would be worried about (1) getting too near the quick and causing discomfort, and (2) making them nervous whenever you come close! If they have light coloured nails and you can see where the blood supply ends it is easier. If you catch the quick you do feel awful about it and it makes everyone much more nervous next time. I think this is why some people get the vet to do it!

Coats - all my short-hairs, fluffy and tufty ones have never really needed grooming. One of my current pigs is my first long-haired one and she'd definitely rather not be. She was apparently very well looked after by her previous owner but she hates both brush and comb. I now just give her a choppy scissor cut - I don't brush or shampoo. If they are shedding from mites I use a spot-on treatment. I've only ever bathed for medical reasons. If yours are elderly and stiff they might need help keeping clean (especially round the back) but apart from that, as long as they are healthy they should be able to groom themselves - unless they have long hair and then you'll need to help!

However, I would second the vet-check. It's one way to familiarise yourself with the practice and find a vet before you actually need one in an emergency. Also they can pick up any unpleasant lumps, bumps or irregularities with the teeth before things become a serious problem! Well done on your new additions 💕
 
As pigs get older, even with regular trimming, many have nails that start to turn and corkscrew. If you have light-coloured nails you can probably see the quick and make sure you are not trimming too close. Darker coloured nails can be trickier, so I would just trim the edge every couple weeks or so and see if you can wear them down, so long as they are walking comfortably.

The vet check is a good idea too if they have been neglected, just to be sure- they will also be willing to trim nails for you and maybe if the vet gets a good trim in, it will be easier for you to do next time going forward, as the nails won't be so overlong!

Thanks for giving these guys a home! Welcome piggies!
 
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