How long should a guinea pigs claws be?

[FabIsGettingThere]

Just been having a cuddle with girl piggy and her claws look long to me. I was told to put her on the patio once a week to keep them under control. Unfortunately the weather has been atrocious and she and her buddy haven't even been able to play out every day never mind hide in their cabin go on the patio.

Blimey, I couldn't cut them. I would be scared I would hurt her.

Girl piggy is ginger, boy piggy is black.

Yes you should be able to see the quick - the white bit. I once took mine to the vet to get them trimmed but you can do it yourself if you've got someone to hold them while you do it. Try bribing them with piece of vegetable.

I think the quick is white, it's a while since I've had them. Anyway it looks different from the rest of the nail.

What would I use if I was to do it? The baby sized clippers I use on the kids?

The white bit - is that what I would cut up too?

She is on the patio now is it worth trying her on that for a few days first? I don't want to hurt her.

You can get cutters at pet shops. I was nervous of doing it but it was very easy.

I used to find they got quite long and needed a bit of a trim. I used to use those metal nail clippers, as opposed to little scissors, although I'm sure scissors would work as well.

If you look at the claw, there's a long black pointy bit and then a more solid part (the sensitive part that might hurt the pig if cut). You only want to clip off the long part.

If in doubt, err on the side of caution and just cut off the very end of the pointy bit, that's not going to hurt them.

I will get some proper cutters from the pet shop before I attempt to give them a manicure I think. Boy piggy will dislike me even more if I hurt him. He is still so nervous.