Comments | hedgehogs: nail trimming tips?

anacoluthon in hedgehogs

nail trimming tips?

Sep 27, 2005 09:27

I'm chilling with my incredibly anti-social boy Tansy on my lap, and I've realized that he really needs a nail trim. The problem is that he will not unball if I'm touching him at all. I have had success in the past bathing him and cutting his nails while he's wet, but that didn't work this time. I'm going to order one of those hidey tubes that ( Read more... )

hygiene: nail clipping

Comments 5

mcsassypants September 27 2005, 14:05:22 UTC

No suggestions, but I'm interested in the same topic. Cornelious absolutely freaks out when we touch him, so I've been sort of scratching my head trying to figure out how we should keep his nails trimmed.
And I'd be interested on where to get one of those hidey tubes.

mgsmurf September 27 2005, 14:16:13 UTC

You could also try just shallow walk around in water. Might get him to unroll, yet not freak as much. Having two people and sets of hands often helps, even with friendlier hogs, one to open up and grab a foot, the other to trim. And lastly, I once had a rather grumpy girl who would unroll if I put her on her back, then I'd gently get to grab a foot and trim nails. Never got more than 2 feet done at once that way though.

girlredefined September 27 2005, 20:06:26 UTC

I have to have the vet do it. I've tried so many things. :(

helen1978 September 28 2005, 03:38:02 UTC

First, I had to comment because my dog's name is Tansy too- and I thought I was being so orignal LOL!

What works with my girls, is to give them a bath for a few min and let her nails soften a little, then right after I dry her a little, I put her on my hand with my fingers near her face; then I kind of tilt my wrist up a little, and they always stretch out because it feels like they might fall. Then I let a paw fall through my fingers, then close up my fingers and catch the paw, then totally tilt her so I'm holding her against my chest. Then I work realllly fast and clip. Usually I can be quick enough to get all four (if needed) in one bathtime. It also helps if you can clip more than one nail at a time. Sometimes I can get a paw in one clip, if I'm really lucky!

This is the only place I've seen the trimmer tunnels. I've heard people say that putting a brick or something similar in front of the wheel, so they always have to climb over it, also helps.

helen1978 September 28 2005, 03:38:20 UTC

Forgot the link!

http://exoticnutrition.com/HOLLOW%20LOGS.htm