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antipodi
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Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1141
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Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:52 am
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How to Trim Cavy Nails
In the wild, guinea pigs will naturally wear their nails down, but in a cage guinea pigs don't have this opportunity. So you must trim them yourself when they grow too long.
You can put a flat rock in the cage to help wear down the nails, but you will still have to trim them. You can trim the nails with human nail clippers, small dog clippers, or small cat clippers.
Most guinea pigs hate to have their nails trimmed. To take their mind off this you can feed them a treat, pet them, and/or put their head under a blanket. You should trim the nails every other week so they don't get too long. Frequently trimming your guinea pig's nails will let your guinea pig be more comfortable with the procedure. If you can't or don't want to trim the nails, then ask a vet to.
When trimming the nails you have to be careful not to cut the quick, which is a vein in the nail. You can see the vein in lighter colored nails and sometimes in black nails if you use a bright light. It's important not to cut the vein because doing so will make it bleed, which is very painful to your guinea pig.
You can use flour, corn meal, or a powder sold at some pets stores to clot the blood and stop the bleeding as fast as possible. Always keep a small handful of powder nearby when you cut your guinea pig's nails so you will be able to administer it quickly if you ever need it.
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Juliemarie
Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 56
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Location: Australia
Sun Mar 19, 2006 7:01 pm
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I cut mine today, followed by a bath for all 3. I wasnt very popular!
One of mine has one strange curling claw. The rest are all fine. It needs watching though.
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antipodi
Site Admin
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1141
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Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:59 pm
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Hi Juliemarie great to hear from yah ...Tomorrow we have a big washup , at least 10 of our babies are up for their bath ..It certainly is a fun time ..but it is also a great time to let em out into an outside paddock to romp in the sun till they dry ..the absoluetly love to much on fresh grass
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Juliemarie
Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 56
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Location: Australia
Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:22 pm
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They certainly look different when they are wet! and the fur just clings to them. I notice they like to have a big grooming session afterward.
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antipodi
Site Admin
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1141
Karma: +6 (6)
Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:51 am
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Its funny you should say that , they week abit when you wash them but they seem to love being wrapped in a towel ..They're funny at bathtime ...then they get a great treat ..we put the females all together(the ones that dont fight) to dry out in a shady piece of grass in a paddock in the back yard...They love to just graze for hours ..the boys do to but sadly apart from each other and thats abit more difficult..
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Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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cutiecavies
Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 27
Karma: +2 (2)
Location: Hyde Cheshire UK
Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:49 am
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This is how I hold Cocoa who is very wriggly when I am cutting his claws :-/
He will wheek as if he is being hurt, he is so sweet. It makes me feel ever so sorry for him when he makes a fuss. I know I am not hurting him really but he does make me even more careful 
Hope this helps 
Dawn
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antipodi
Site Admin
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1141
Karma: +6 (6)
Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:04 pm
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Thanx for the great photos ...The biggest worry is cutting the nails too far back ...I also notice some Piggies (possibly because of breeding) dont seem to need nail trimming...
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Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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