my hamster's nails are wayyy too long! help!

[yummy321pop]

my oldest dwarf hamster's nails are really long and started to curl under. i would take him to the vet but my vet wants ridiculous prices to trim hamsters' nails... i really need to clip them myself but how? it's obvious where the foot starts and nail ends but is there a specific way to do it? thanks! :hamster1:

[honeythorn]

i really think that you should get hold of the money and take your hamster to the vet, but if you're absolutely determined to do this yourself then heres how. its what i do with my rabbit

i doubt if ordinary dog claw clippers( if thats what you're using) will work in this case, as the hamsters feet are so small. i would suggest small sharp scissors and i strongly reccomend you get someone to help you with this the last thing you want is a nasty accident involving the removal of little toes........

when you hold up the hamsters foot to the light and examine the nail, you should be able to see a little pink line inside the nail. this is known as the quick, and it is the main blood supply to the nail. do not cut this under any circumstances, your hamster could end up bleeding to death. if the hams nails are dark, or you cannot see the quick, then only cut the very ends off the nails, as you dont want to misjudge the distance and catch the quick.

get someone to hold the hamster firmly but gently. and cut the nail in front of the pink line (quick). if you find that the hamster is struggling too much then take him to the vet and pay the price. it's better than causing an injury, you'll otherwise only end up paying for more than a nail clipping procedure. good luck.

[pixibubbles]

it is possible to file hamsters nails... teddy really enjoyed the attention... rocky squeals and wriggles... might be worth a try tho.. x

[TiaMaria]

Yea, filing might be safer than using scissors, all u need is one sudden movement and off with his toe, try a nail file!

[Joecorny]

how did his nails get that long in the first place?

[TiaMaria]

Some people just don't keep an eye on them as well as others...

[Sparky2006]

joecorny.... "Favorite two elements: sodium, it blows up in water "

actually caesium or potassium are more reactive...(caesium is more just cant spell it...also its REALLY reactive!)

[TiaMaria]

hehe elements and blows up, great! :D

[Moosley]

Some hamsters nails can grow seriously quickly through no fault of their own, i know people who have to trim their hamsters nails every week as they grow so long so fast...

I would use human nail clippers (not the scissor kind) and if possible, mini nail clippers are better (i got mine at xmas in a cracker believe it or not)

[Sparky2006]

hehe elements and blows up, great! :D


lol hehe....