Guinea pig toenails?

Question

Ok my guinea pig's toenails are out of control, she absolutely hates having them clipped. Any tips to do this easily and without pain or cutting the quick?

Answer 1

i do my 3 piggies with human clippers. you migjht of had notice when your trying to clipp their nails it might get frighten and kick and even try to bite.

so what i do is make someone else hold him and give them a slice of cucomber while i trim there nails and it works great.

heres a great likn on how to trim them right!

http://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

Answer 2

my piggy wiggles all the time, try to cut the back nails first and when it come to the top nail - get a carrot and feed her, the feet go Ont the carrot and cut them while she/he not looking I do it to mine :)

it doesn't bother them at all, because they to busy with the food to notice you with the clippers

Answer 3

have a friend hold your guinea pig while you gently cut the nails. give your guinea pig lots of positive encouragement and tasty treats. tell her shes a good girl then give her a small healthy treat. be careful not to cut the quick, and if you do use some baby powder to stop the bleeding.

Answer 4

Hi. =)  I only have a couple of suggestions, but I hope they help.  Buy a pair of toenail clippers. That's right--the same kind us humans use.  The 'guillotine' styled pet clippers don't work as well with guinea pigs, because they're big, awkward, and hard to maneuver around their tiny nails.

Secondly, trim your cavy's toenails twice a week (a very small amount) for 1 month. This will recede the quick (the flesh in the nail itself) and make it possible to trim the nail shorter in the future, and also help to *not* cut the quick.

Give your guinea pig something to do when you're clipping nails.  Give them a small hunk of fresh lettuce (they like the core/heart of the head of lettuce best).  This will hopefully keep your 'furkid' calm while you're fiddling with her feet! =)

Good luck to you.

****Update****

PLEASE DO NOT use baby powder if you cut the quick, as another poster suggested. While it DOES serve the purpose, it is a lot more painful and agonizing to your guinea pig (or any animal) to use this to stop bleeding.  

There are fragrances, oils, and other 'additives' in baby powder to make it softer and to bring about the 'baby fresh scent' we all know so well.  This will STING your furbaby.

Buy STYPTIC powder at your local pet store;  it isn't expensive and your pet's nerve endings will appreciate it.  Even the UNscented baby powder I would stay away from.

Answer 5

well out i do is put my guineas pigs in the yard were they can wear they claws down on the slabs and then if that doesn't work i would just clip them and if them a treat afterwards then when they have been clipped i put them on the grass in their run.

Answer 6

Use a baby nail clipper, and after each clip, give your guinea pig a treat. Clip another, get a treat. That way, it shows your guinea pig that she can be rewarded for getting her toenails clipped.

It's also important that they are clipped, so make sure that if you don't do it, have it administered by a vet.

Good luck,

Pet Rodent Expert