My Guinea Pig Wont Walk On A Hard Surface ( Wooden Flooring )
Is It Because His Nails Are Too Long ?
And How Do I Cut Them ? Where Do I Cut ?
2007-03-07 02:02:28 · 6 answers · asked by dO yOu wanna piece Of me :-D[8]? 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Trimming a guinea pig's nails is a challenge. Most of them do not like it! If you groom them regularly, then they do become accustomed to it. Some even seem to enjoy it (though not so much the nails!).
You could try the PetSmart idea, but the trip might stress your pig out. It usually takes two to do it, but try this:
Have someone hold your piggie, with the pig's back securely up against the person's chest. Have them hold him with both hands, one around his midsection, one supporing his bum. With his back up against something and the support under him he will feel more secure. Then you can carefully get access to his feet to clip his nails. Just make sure you don't clip so much off that you get the quick and make the nail bleed. If you do, a tiny bit of flour on the end of the nail will stop the bleeding. Only cut the tips of, at a slight angle. Better to do a little bid over time than clip off a big chunk, make him bleed and make the experience scary for him!
If his nails curl around then yes, you have let them go too long and it probably hurts him to walk on something hard. You will have to clip them regularly and gradually get them back down to a good length. As you regularly clip his nails, the quick will get shorter, but you really do have to do it gradually. Try doing it once ever week or two for a couple months and see if that gets them managable.
Another thing you can do is put something rough like a brick in his cage at a slight angle near his food & water or hay rack so that he has to climb up on it to get to it. This will help keep his nails worn down.
I have found the two-person thing works very well. Just go slow and be patient and be sure to give treats when you're done clipping!!
2007-03-07 02:13:46 · answer #1 · answered by ratgrrl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can cut his nails with feline nail clippers (not dogs, they are to big.) You'll have to hold him steady and clip the tip off no more, you may damadge the quick and he'll bleed. You can also take him to almost any pet groomers and they'll do it for you.
Have you ever considered that your Guinea Pig doesn't like that type of surface underneath his feet? Most 'rodents' do not prefer a harder surface since they are used to what ever you put in their cage. If worse comes to worst then leave a more rough surface in the cage so he can walk across and it'll file his nails, try sand paper taped down.It may work this is just an idea. =]
2007-03-07 10:14:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our vet always told us to stay away from the "black" line in the middle of the nail. That is the blood supply you don't want to cut into. However, an animal with black nails is very difficult if even possible to differentiate so my suggestion would be having an experienced care giver cut the nails.
2007-03-07 10:33:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try petsmart...costs $8 for dogs so they will probably do other pets too....it's worth a call, eh?
2007-03-07 10:06:45 · answer #4 · answered by J.M.C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.guineapig.com
http://www.petnails.com
Go to a dollar store, and get them dogs clippers and use
it on the piggy
2007-03-07 10:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just cut off the feet. It'll then be steady.
2007-03-07 10:09:21 · answer #6 · answered by Snake 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋