How do i trim nails?

[jiley506]

Hey, so i looked through some of the forums and i couldnt find one on trimming nails. My guys nails are getting so long(or maybe there just getting sharper) that everytime i pick them up, they literally draw blood, is there some sort of scratching post im supposed to buy or do i trim them?
And if im supposed to trim them do i just use rodent clippers(like for bunnies) or is there something made especially for rats and smaller rodents(i havent seen any)?

Any suggestions would be great thanks!!

 

[lilangel]

basically you use a human nail clipper to trim rats nails.

here is how to trim nails:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/resource ... iltrim.htm

 

[pinkies_mama]

I have found that it really is much easier when two people are doing it - one to hold, and one to trim. The article is dead-on; with ratty nails, you can see the pink quick. It would be easiest to trim the sharp part, then maybe get a cat scratcher or pole for them to climb on. Rocks work well also.

 

[jiley506]

Thanks thats helpful!

 

[ryelle]

What you need:
Two pairs of hands
Nail clippers - either human or the type designed for animals
Tonnes of Yogies (sp?)

Get someone else to hold the rat with both hands. Hold him sitting up - almost like a dangle but supporting the bum. Then start the 'Yogie Train' - you can do this between clippin or get the other person to if they can. You can normally get one foot done per yogie lol
Whilst little ratties is oh so very busy chowing down on the very tasty yogies, you can trim the back feet, just clippin off the sharp tip. Back are easier than front, but you can use the same technique for the front - they will just have to hold the treat in the other hand

 

[Ratgirl81]

i would love to be able to trim my rats nails on my own without having to go to the vets just for that one thing, im always scared though about having a go incase i trim too far and start it bleeding, last time i had it done at the vets, even she took too much off and had to stop the bleeding.
How easy is it really to cut nails yourself and if you do start it bleeding whats the best thing to use to stop that?

 

[lilangel]

in the link here is if something happens:

When Accidents Happen
No matter how careful you are, you will likely accidentally hit a nail quick and cause some bleeding at some point. Don't panic. Here are some things that will stop the bleeding:

* a commercial product such as Kwik-Stop (a powder) or any styptic powder. These sting but are highly effective. Take a pinch of powder and press onto the tip of the affected nail after wiping away the blood.
* cornstarch or flour can also be used in a similar manner
* you can press the affected nail into a bar of mild soap
* for minor problems, simply applying pressure to the tip of the nail may be effective

No matter which method you use, make sure the bleeding has stopped before placing the animal back in its cage, or leaving the animal unattended.

 

[Tarah]

i've had a lot of luck trimming nails..
i only cut off the sharp tip, and i've never had any ow-ies or bleeding.
thank goodness.

 

[Ratgirl81]

thanks! i would prefer to do it myself so much, as taking him to the vets and holding him while the vet does it stresses him a lot and even the vet last time started one bleeding, but its just knowing where to cut, i have been trying to see where the pink quick bit is but at the moment i cant see it, do you have to have a bright light on it or something? It would be so easy for me to do it as he will sit in my lap on a fleece and kinda sit up but leaning back as he likes to wash his tummy when i give him a little bath as he cant really reach there on his own anymore, his nails were right there but i couldnt see the quick so i didnt try to cut them, but he would just sit there and let me without stress im sure.
I wonder if i took him to the vets would the vet show me how to do it?

 

[Jems71]

I thought I read somewhere here or another forum to put a brick or rock (cleaned of course) under the water bottle so they have to climb on it to drink...this will help wear the nails down a bit ad they will not be as sharp.
I know my dogs nails are good in the nicer months walking on the paved streets and side walks but in winter I have to trim them as they get long and sharp!
So I think a rock/brick is worth a try...since my girls haven't much fur to protect them I think I will use a smoother rounder rock from the beach, no sharp edges...I have collected some in the past for my beared dragon enclosure, that I didn't use...so I will clean those up again and once we get the girls moved into their new FN the rock will find a place under the water bottle and see how that works.

 

[Ratgirl81]

that is a good idea i think actually! and in future i will do something like as im now keeping all my future rats on fleece, looks much more comfy.
My present rat though has HED and cant really climb up onto anything. He was sat in my lap tonight and i was squinting to see the quick but couldnt, hey i even put a torch on my head that you wear down the mines :roll: still couldnt see it, it must be a very light pink :shock: would love to do my own rats nails though as they do get stressed at the vets and just for that i dont think its worth the stress.