Should my guinea pigs nails look like this?

[wafflesandcosmopiggies]

I just got my around 2 yo guinea pig's nails cut a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if they look healthy, bc they look a little different than my other pig's nails. His nails look a little sideways. Is this normal?

 

[Siikibam]

They could do with trimming off a bit more. They can sometimes do that when they grow a little older. Trim off a little regularly.

 

[Wiebke]

I just got my around 2 yo guinea pig's nails cut a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if they look healthy, bc they look a little different than my other pig'sView attachment 167425 nails. His nails look a little sideways. Is this normal?

Hi!

The nails could be a bit shorter. In black piggies it helps to either hold the nails against a source of light to see the quick or to look closely at where the nail starts showing growth marks - that part of the nail is dead and you can cut safely. I leave about 1 extra mm in order to avoid to cut too closely to the quick. If a piggy has different coloured feet, leave the darkest for last so you roughly know where the quick ends from dealing the 'easier' corresponding foot first.

But as a guinea pig ages, especially the outer toes in the weight bearing front legs will often splay sideways. Older piggies are also more prone to twisting and tightly curled or thickened nails. In very old and very arthritic the toes and feet themselved can become stff or twisted, not just the nails.

The back legs are more there for propulsion and act as springs at top speed. The weight in them is more on the heel than the toes themselves when sitting.

PS: You may find our forum information resource very interesting and helpful, by the way. We have one of the most comprehensive currently around. You can easiest access it laid out in thematic order via the guides shortcut on the top bar but here is the direct link: Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides

 

[wafflesandcosmopiggies]

Hi!

The nails could be a bit shorter. In black piggies it helps to either hold the nails against a source of light to see the quick or to look closely at where the nail starts showing growth marks - that part of the nail is dead and you can cut safely.

But as a guinea pig ages, especially the outer toes in the weight bearing front legs will often splay sideways. In the very old, arthritis can rather twist the toes and nails.

The back legs are more there for propulsion and act as springs at top speed. The weight in them is more on the heel than the toes themselves when sitting.

PS: You may find our forum information resource very interesting and helpful, by the way. We have one of the most comprehensive currently around. You can easiest access it laid out in thematic order via the guides shortcut on the top bar but here is the direct link: Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides

Thank you so much!