How to cut your guinea pig’s nails: a step by step guide

How to trim a guinea pig’s nails? – many owners of these charming rodents are puzzled by this question. Of course, it is terrible to harm this fragile creature. However, she cannot take care of her claws herself. And regrown claws bend the fingers, which, of course, affects the spine. In a word, such a procedure should become mandatory. But is it really possible for an ordinary person to carry it out? Of course, and we will tell you how to do it.

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So, what is useful for cutting pig’s claws?

• Conversation how cut a guinea pig’s nails we need to start with discussions about the selection wire cutter. Some choose children, arguing that they are gentle. But in fact, even such nippers slightly compress the nail plate. BUT for a guinea pig, this contraction will be very sensitive. therefore better to buy special samples for animals. For example, the in the form of guillotines – they do not compress claws, and at the same time quite wide are revealed. Some hosts get even a couple of tools different types, because never with precision don’t know which option will appeal to a particular animal.
• Corn starch or special powder for blood stops. Last resort can often be found in that department store that sells goods for shaving, or in a pharmacy. On the first stage, such helpers will definitely come in handy, and then you may need it. Sometimes capillaries are too close to the removed part of the claw, and make a mistake easily.
• Towel will also prove useful. Small – for hands. When mumps shows increased anxiety, a good solution would be to wrap it in towel to fix better. In addition, pigs are often calmed such wrapping in towels.

How to cut the claws of the sea mumps: a step by step guide

Now Let’s get started with the process:

• Powder to stop the blood must be poured in advance – if the blood goes, there will not be much time to mess with it. You can pour it on a napkin, for example. The recommended dose is a quarter of a teaspoon. A large amount of powder is unlikely to be required – yet the guinea pig is not a large pet.
• Now you can get the pet out of the cage. Of course, experts unanimously recommend taming a pig in the period preceding nail trimming – that is, taking it in your arms, stroking it, talking to it. This will save the rodent from unnecessary stress, relieve panic. However, it is still highly desirable to properly get the pig out of the cage, because even a tamed and calm individual can get scared. To do this, the thumb of one hand must be placed under the pig’s chin, and the back must be held with the other hand. All movements must be smooth.
• It is better to immediately wrap the pet in a towel. However, this must be done carefully, without squeezing the pig too much. Otherwise, there is a great risk of crushing it or overheating it.
• Now you can place the pig on your lap. In this case, if necessary, it is necessary to calm her down. For example, offering a treat – this method often helps out. For example, you can treat with carrots or bell peppers. Scratching behind the ear, you can also achieve what you want.
• It’s time to take the paw. Taking it, you need to gently pull. Most likely, the pig will begin to fidget – and this is normal. The main thing is to give her time to calm down, and then you can repeat this action.
• Now one of the claws needs to be fixed by holding it between the index and thumb. But it should be clamped gently so that the rodent does not hurt.
• Cutters should be brought to the claw and fixed in front of the claw. Then you need to ask someone to highlight the claw with a flashlight – this will help to see the blood vessels. If you ask someone, you need to arrange with the pet so that he lies in a bright light.
• Seeing where you can cut, you need to remove the extra piece of claw. If suddenly the pig turned out to be cut, it is necessary to apply a hemostatic powder.
• It remains to repeat the algorithm described above with other claws. If the pig starts to get nervous, you need to distract it with scratching or treats. It is only important not to treat the pet during the very cutting of the claw, otherwise it will choke.

Experts say that the guinea pig begins to need clipping of claws literally from the age of 1-3 months. And it is worth doing it quite often – once or a couple of times a month. However, do not be afraid: armed with all the recommendations and gaining experience, it is quite possible to learn how to properly carry out a pig manicure.