Claw Trim

[Sm_banks]

Does anyone know a way to trim a hamsters claws safely. And do not say "Take it to the vet" because $35 for a claw trim is outrageous

[Cinnamon Bear]

I'm lucky where I live because they only charge $15 dollar per hamster for a nail trim, but it's only one time then you have to pay the office visit and hope there isn't anything wrong before they do another nail trim. It's outrageous the amounts of money these exotic vets make. Especially with hamsters that are so prone to illnesses as it is. It can create a lot of anxiety, especially when your on a budget.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Find a sand rock or a rough surface stone and place it directly under the water bottle. As the hamster walks on the stone or rock it will naturally trim the nails. It is possible to trim nails with a very sharp cat nail clippers, but usually needs 4 hands, two to hold the hamster with paws extended, and two to carefully hold the paw with one hand, while very very carefully cutting the nail without cutting into the quick with the other hand.

[Sm_banks]

Thank you Nancy, I have a stone chew blox that she has to climb on to reach the water.

[Fluffagrams]

I used to put a mineral stone underneath May's water bottle and it helped a bit with keeping her nails shorter although every so often I still had to do them.

It wasn't easy as she was a bit of a wiggle and being a Chinese, she had teeny tiny feet too. I usually did one or two at a time with ordinary nail clippers and literally I'd just take the end off the nail. Thankfully we never had any blood shed but a styptic pen can help reduce the blood loss if you accidentally cut the quick.

I've seen someone suggest using a sieve to help with trimming nails as the claws should just come through the holes but you might need someone to help or there's the cylindrical bird feeders that I've seen suggested in the past too. I've not tried the bird feeder method but I tried the sieve once and my little monkey just thought that it was an excuse to play.

[Sm_banks]

Winter whites are not a fun hamster to DIY claw trim

[EbKay82]

You can get a strip of sandpaper, cut to size and use it to line your little one's wheel. That will trim their nails while they run. Just supervise and don't leave it overnight, in case they mistake it for a chew thing!

[Sm_banks]

My one that needs a claw trim can't have a wheel right now because she is taking care of 5, 1 week old pups.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I wouldn't advise disturbing a mum with week old pups. Leave her be and sort out her claws when the pups are older and it's safer

[Sm_banks]

Thank you for your concern Vectis, but Mama Hamster will climb on my hand when I top off her food. Those claws hurt