Nail trimming

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ADMIN POST: Trimming Nails and Spurs

Being a guinea pig owner comes with a lot of responsibilities and one of the most daunting for many is trimming nails and spurs. We decided to write up a guide to help guide those who need help deciphering how much to trim, how often, what to expect if you accidentally snip the quick, etc.

How to trim nails:

Guinea pigs have 14 nails to trim total (for most). 4 nails on each front paw and 3 on the back. You can use a pet nail clipper (such as cat nail clippers) or human nail clippers. We do NOT advise using a Dremel. You want to trim the nail before the quick which is pink in color and easy to see if the nail is white/ transparent. You don't have to cut really close to the quick, just enough where you feel they can walk comfortably at that length until the next trim. We recommend trimming every 2 to 4 weeks which depends on how fast the nails grow.

We also recommend having corn starch, flour or styptic powder on hand if/ when you snip the quick too closely and it starts to bleed. NEVER use baking soda (it's a rodent poison). Snipping too close to the quick usually happens to everyone at least once, but don't panic! The pain subsides quickly. Keep an eye on it for a few days to make sure no infection occurs and keep the cage clean and dry to prevent infection.

If you are new to trimming nails we highly recommend checking/ trimming weekly as it is easier to just trim the tips off than more at a time if you're inexperienced. This is also useful if you've recently acquired a pig with nails that are in a bad state, curly nails, and/ or nails that are dark where you cannot view the quick. Using a flashlight to shine underneath can also be helpful to view the quick.

Holding techniques:

Securing them correctly where they feel safe and stop moving so much is crucial to them feeling secure while you trim and makes it as stress-free as possible for everyone. Below are some nail trimming holding tips:

- Roll in a towel "burrito style" and do 1 foot at a time.
- Use treats such as veggies or pellets to distract.
- Have a partner hold and distract while you trim.
- Sit the pig up with its back against your torso (vertical, not horizontal on its back) and have another person trim.
- For dark, black, really long, or curly nails use a flashlight from underneath to view the quick.
- Take them to a groomer or vet if it's too stressful.

What are spurs?

Spurs are basically callouses that occur on the pads of some guinea pigs. They feel hard and are usually brown/ tan in color, often mistaken for bumblefoot spots. They are harmless and can happen to any pig, regardless of the type of bedding or husbandry. They can occur more often if kept on harder surfaces more frequently. They are easily trimmed with human nail clippers and do not cause the pig any pain during the trim. You can soak the foot/ feet in warm water to soften the spur prior to cutting if desired.
***Disclaimer***
Be careful not to trim too close to the skin as you can accidentally cut into the pad causing injury, putting the pig at risk of infection.

Credit: Guinea Pig Advice And Support