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How often for guinea nail clipping?

8 replies

magentastardust · 27/01/2014 20:58

We have had our piggies for around a month now. (10/11 weeks when we got them)
when should I attempt to clip their nails?
Any tips? 7 out of 8 paws are pink so that makes it a bit easier.

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FernieB · 27/01/2014 22:39

Ah the joys of pink claws . If I'd known how awful black claws are to trim I may have tried harder to avert my eyes from Current Bun and Smoothpig when I went adopting

I would do them little and often actually as that way they get a bit used to it. My lads are trimmed every 5-6 weeks whether they need it or not.

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FernieB · 27/01/2014 22:41

Should have said - avoid the quick (you'll see that easily in the pink claws). If you do nick it you can dip the claw in cornflour to stop bleeding. Keep a ready supply of bribes handy and if you have someone else to hold them firmly whilst you clip it's easier.

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Mintyy · 27/01/2014 22:45

Oh, I don't want to put you off or anything, but clipping my Peggy's claws is just about the most stressful job I have to do (but she is black and brown all over and lots of hers are black!). So I just trim a tiny bit off when I'm feeling brave. I make sure I have vast stocks of parsley in beforehand.

She had them done on Saturday - I hyperventilated because I wasn't breathing properly because I was so stressed .

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magentastardust · 27/01/2014 23:37

I am quite stressed about it-I'm not worried about cutting too far down more about jumping squirming piggies whilst I do it.! I have clipped a miniature poodles nails before and my rabbits nails plenty of times but they just seem so much more skitter and littler! Will be brave and maybe try the little and often approach-starting with pink paws!

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/01/2014 22:23

DD holds one of the pigs against her stomach, supporting them under the rump (so that they're not sitting on their tails) and under the front legs. She chats to them, they throw their heads up and give her judgey looks.
I hold a paw firmly and do the front or back in one sitting.
Next day, do the other set.

I tell them if they have to pay to go somewhere then it comes out of their Parsley Money .

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magentastardust · 03/02/2014 10:21

Well I managed all the back paws black one included -wasn't too bad. I haven't managed the front though as the nails seem smaller and they can see what I am up too -just didn't feel as confident. Think I will need to rope DH in to hold them so I have 2 hands free for clipping! No squeaks , and no incidents though that was the main thing!

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FernieB · 03/02/2014 13:39

Well done Magenta . Those front claws are trickier as the teeth seem to get in the way.

I have just clipped Smoothpig (white claws). He was very good and sat beautifully. Tried to do Scruffy (black claws) - he was being a wriggly pain so has been left for today. Will try tomorrow after I've got some parsley.