hamsters nails

[lternes]

I've been wanting to trim my hamsters nails because they are too long and are curling back under. I dont want to use a nail clipper because i have a dwarf hammy and he is so small. I've heard you can file them with a nail file but i can't get the hammy to stay still. What should i do? His nails really need to be trimmed but i dont want to take him into the vet to get it done??? My hamster is VERY wiggly.

thanks

[jennawing]

It'd take two people probably- and you'd have to wrap him in a washcloth. Here isa good article on nail trimming- I'd ignore the sandpaper bit- they get sore feet too easily for that.

http://www.geocities.com/calhamassoc/HamsterHealth2.html
And scroll down to ''nails"

[Revenge]

Is it safe to cut the hamsters nails?

[Revenge]

And if your asking me why am typing this when am not in school I am in School right now typing the message

[lternes]

yes its safe to cut them i just am having a hard time cutting them because he is so small i'm scared of hurting him.

[Revenge]

Yeah but isn't there a best way of cutting their nails? Like using a magnafine glass and a clipper to hold it and to aim it to the area where which of the nails our longer

[AceVentura]

Do you have a friend who can help you by holding a paw still while you trim the nails? I use nail clippers, but you do have to be careful not to cut too far back, or it will bleed.

[Revenge]

AceVentura? Nice Screen name. oh does the idea of having those nails being looked at under magnafinglass

[lternes]

thanks for all the advice and i have tried jusst about every method i have heard of but he is still to small and squiggly.........he wont sit still long enough for me to grab his paw and look at it.

[Smallies]

Mabey the vets will do it for you ifit's tricky, some of our guinea pigs nails are tricky to do especially ones with balck nails and we sometimes get them done at the vets.

[wheels]

You can go to a vet and get them clipped...should only cost $3-10.

A method that I use for my guniea pigs and hamsters is putting a brick in their cage. When they put their paws on the brick, they are dragging their nails, which trims them for you. Also nice for them to sit on and play on. A good spot for it would be in front of the water bottle.

[Smallies]

I also use the very complicated 'brick in housing' method too :D I find if you beging cutting nails then you will have to do it forever but if you have a young animal that has never had their nails cut the brick helps cut down on having to cut them

[Revenge]

Steve two words THANK YOU