My mouses nails are really sharp, and they scratch me when she walks up and down my arm. I give them bark, and stuff, how do i shorten her nails without having to go to a vet?
2006-11-14 15:51:12 · 12 answers · asked by pikelites 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
first of all, i would never do anything to hurt my mice, that's just cruel, and you've obviously never had a pet in your life I'm Tollisomething. I'm not sure if i can get my mices nails clipped around here, they say rats, but never mice. Rats are significantly larger than mice, so im unsure they'll do that for me.
2006-11-14 16:04:49 · update #1
if you have a wheel for her glue some sand paper on a wheel and let her in time run on it and it will shorten with in about a week. but make sure to check it every day to ensure she is not eating the sand paper because that could mess with her throte
2006-11-14 16:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by gleen15 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the rat and mouse gazzett...
It’s much easier if another person can help you, but it’s not necessary. The best tool I’ve found is a simple human fingernail cutter. Trim off the tips of each nail while another person holds the rat and possibly distracts her with treats. It is easy to see the quick of the nail; do not get too near to this.
Some people also recommend a scratchy rock, such as pumice, for the cage. Mine prefers to chew on pumice, so I just clip her nails once a week.
Vets will ream you for this simple task, often charging $8 a rat to clip nails. Once you learn how to do it, you’ll become a pro in no time and you can spend the money you’ve saved on rat treats (what else)!
Clip off only the sharp tip at the end of the nail. If you cut into the pink of the nail it will bleed and will be difficult to stop the blood flow. Some people use styptic powder to stop bleeding if the nail gets cut too close (rats are often hard to pin down for the nail clipping process). I prefer to use cornstarch and cinnamon. First, dip the hand or foot into the cinnamon and then the cornstarch, it usually stops minor bleeding.
I usually bribe my rats with a treat, and while they are busy eating I get a family member to gently restrain the rat. I pick up a hand or foot and press so that nails are extended a bit and the fingers are spread, and then cut off the sharp tip with human nail clippers. I have also taken emery boards to a few rat nails for rats who are too squirmy to clip. Be firm and quick. I always reward good behavior (like not shredding my arms and body by trying to get away from the nail clippers).
2006-11-14 23:55:11 · answer #2 · answered by Jackson 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way to clip a mouse's nails is not to do it at all! Mice are very small and it is very hard to clip their nails without it bleeding (and that hurts the mice)! It isn't neccessary to clip their nails; a blunt stone/rock in their cage might help to keep their nails trim. Bark would not be hard/blunt enough to keep their nails trim.
2006-11-15 02:06:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mice are to small to clip nails. Line the bottom of her cage with sand paper for a little while. It will file her/his nails, and it wont harm your mouse.
2006-11-15 00:27:11 · answer #4 · answered by o_state05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put sand paper down and let her run over that for awhile. It will file her nails down. You can't clip her nails...she is too tiny and it is to risky to harm her. Mice need thier nails!
2006-11-14 23:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the pet stores that actually clip their nails use animal nail clippers. just make sure you do it in one quick motion. Just in case you need to know that if their teeth get to long they use the same thing.
2006-11-15 09:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My bunny's nails are sharp too! It's too hard to get her to sit still- I suggest going to a pet shop/grooming shop that specializes in small animals- they said it would only cost $7 to cut my bunny's nails
2006-11-15 00:00:24 · answer #7 · answered by Sammy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vets and some pet stores will clip rodent nails for as little as $3, its much easier than taking the chance of doing it on your own.
2006-11-14 23:55:13 · answer #8 · answered by LFL 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try doing it while she's sleeping. Just be gentle enough so that she doesn't wake up and throw a fit. Also, don't cut them down too short (just snip off the sharp tip) because if you try to get them very short, she can begin to bleed.
2006-11-14 23:53:55 · answer #9 · answered by I Am Legend 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just let the little bugger scurry over some low grit sand paper, clipping those tiny toes seems dangerous!
2006-11-14 23:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by tielydan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋