Trimming Hamster's Nails?

[kuba]

I've noticed my little Harry's nails are getting pretty long and curled, although not overgrown enough to have curled back under his paw?

He's a roborovski and altough he is very friendly, he hates being held or handled so trimming would be very tricky.. A vet visit would really be the very last resort because he's a getting a little older and as I said, doesn't like to be handled, I'm sure the stress would be too much.

He's not in any discomfort as a result of this and is in very good shape.

When he was much younger his nails were always a little on the longer side so could he be 'maintaining' them himself?

Apart from his wheels, everything in his tank is made of natural material, which I would of thought would keep his nails worn down?

Is it normal for dwarfs to have long little nails? Any advice?

[CMB]

Rough rocks could help. Place one under the water bottle so it is climbed on each time your hamster has a drink.

I read about someone putting sand paper in their hamster wheel (not all the time though).

[kuba]

Thank you for the ideas! X

[cypher]

Dwarf hams nails do tend to get long, use as many rough surfaces as you can in the cage to help wear them down, some things that can help are small terracotta flower pots just laid flat in the cage with a bit of substrate to dig around in, helps if you hide a little food in there, terracotta saucers can make good food bowls too, I use an egg box with a piece of fine sandpaper lining the base, again fill with substrate & a little food, cut a couple of holes in for entrances & they generally love digging around in there, sand baths can help too.

[souffle]

Try the sieve method. Put him in a fine wire sieve with a glass over him so he doesn't move too much. The nails should drop through the wire and if you hold the sieve up you should be able to clip from underneath. Just do a couple a day and give him a treat right away. It's easier if you have a helper - one to hold and one to clip!