Is there or what is the easiest way to trim nails on a Ferret?

Question

I just got a Ferret and her nails are pretty pointy. I bought myself a nail clipper for her but have found it pretty hard to keep her still long enough to trim them.

Answer 1

The best way I have found is the FerreTone on the belly method. I sit down and have him/her sit on my lap facing out, drip some FerreTone on their belly and while they clean themselves off I have plenty of time to clip all four paws. Make sure you have good lighting so you don't cut their quick and have some STYPTIC powder or stick ready in case you do cut them. It'll stop the bleeding. It's no reason to panic, it happens to a lot of us and the ferret will forgive you eventually.

Some ferrets are really sound sleepers, so much so, that you could swear they're dead. My youngest male sleeps like that. He actually sleeps so soundly that I can cut his nails while he's out cold. Yours may actually wake up during that procedure so you'll have to come back later and finish the job.
Good luck.
PS: if you don't feel you can handle it, take your ferret to a vet and have the assistant there do it for you, for a price of course.

Answer 2

The key here is hand training. All of my ferrets, for the exception of one, were purchased when they were wee little babes. I gave them constant attention and handling. These two ferrets need no persuading at all to cut their nails. They just lay there and take it, so to speak. :) My other guy, Wolly-Bear, is not as tame and needs to be convinced. I have a friend or family member hold an bottle of FerriVite (uncapped) over his face while I have him lying on his back. I tell them to just let him have a tiny lick every few seconds while I clip away. Since he is so busy worrying about the FerriVite, I am free to clip his nails safely and without all the commotion. You could give this a try and see what happens.

Remember...start hand training now. Not only does it help with nail trimming, vet. visits, etc. but it helps form the bond between you and your fuzzer!
Good luck!

Answer 3

In order for you to clip the nails in ferrets, dogs, cats, etc
you must have some experience, otherwise you will clip to far into the quick causing it to bleed. What is the quick? the quick is the end of the capillary veins that is the reason they bleed.
The best way to know how far you can clip the nail is to see how long the nail extends below the pad and clip it to level.

Answer 4

You can try scruffing her (grabbing the skin behind her neck and holding her by it.) It will make her yawn and hold still. The only bad thing is that you will probably need someone else to clip her nails. If you gently squeeze her palm, her toes will spread and make it easier to trim her nails. Overall, I recommend just dabbing some ferretone on her tummy and letting her lick it off while you trim. :)

Answer 5

What worked for me was this little tip I got: Put a dab of Ferretone or Nutrical on the ferrets belly and lay him on his back. While he is busily licking it off, trim the nails! This worked for me and I was able to trim all my ferrets by myself this way.

Answer 6

I find nail trimming a pet to be a 2 person job. My girlfriend and I both have to help trim our cats nails. You need one person to hold the pet and sooth it and one to trim.

Answer 7

yes there is! and the trimmers you bought were small,wierd looking? well you never want to cut them too short!but u should cut them once or maybe twice a week.and to keep her still you can ask your friend and or go to there house bring the cutters and have your friend hold her by the nck but not to close to the ears and she will stay there and you can trim her nails very easily!!!!

Answer 8

takes two people and really good lighting so you can see the nail. be careful not to trim to far up, they could bleed to death. also be careful not to cut the other toes that are near the blades. take your time do not rush.

Answer 9

take her to a vet or pet grooming shop and observe the
demonstration.

Answer 10

take her to a pet clinic