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Pebbles82 · 10-01-2022, 06:14 PM

Flax/linseeds definitely help their skin and coat in old age - you'd probably notice the difference within 2 or 3 weeks. They're quite cheap for a big bag (brown linseeds). I just put a pinch on a separate dish every day - they lick them up.

The nails - that's tricky - the first time it might be an idea to take him to the vet and ask them to clip them and show you how. Otherwise - it can take a lot of patience. There are various methods but I've found the best one is the one that causes them least stress (and not trying to hold them) which is just snip the odd nail while they're engrossed in eating some tasty food while out of the cage - you can usually manage to do one or two each time if they're sat next to you and you use a tiny pair of nail scissors. So it can take a long time - but you could do the worst one or two first maybe.

You need very good eyesight! Or wear magnifying ready reading glasses. You only take the very tip off - a tiny amount - if you cut too much off it cuts the quick and can bleed a lot (and also be extremely painful for them). Hence getting a vet to show you first might help. They usually use clippers while the hamster is held.

It kind of needs doing sooner or later or they can scratch themselves with the long nails and cause sores or catch their eye. Sometimes the longer nails are quite soft and not like to cause scratch issues - but it also means they can't climb properly as can't get a grip. Sometimes the odd nail just falls out.

Crusty eyes - fairly normal with older hamsters - often just one eye at a time. If it doesn't free itself up by next day you can bath it with a slightly damp cotton bud (not wet or the hamster will get wet) - just enough to free it up.

Agree I wouldn't use tea tree cream. The other thing is they can lick it off. I believe aloe vera gel is ok but personally I'd just use the linseeds and see how it goes.

10-01-2022, 06:14 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Ralph is two years old! Flax/linseeds definitely help their skin and coat in old age - you'd probably notice the difference within 2 or 3 weeks. They're quite cheap for a big bag (brown linseeds). I just put a pinch on a separate dish every day - they lick them up. The nails - that's tricky - the first time it might be an idea to take him to the vet and ask them to clip them and show you how. Otherwise - it can take a lot of patience. There are various methods but I've found the best one is the one that causes them least stress (and not trying to hold them) which is just snip the odd nail while they're engrossed in eating some tasty food while out of the cage - you can usually manage to do one or two each time if they're sat next to you and you use a tiny pair of nail scissors. So it can take a long time - but you could do the worst one or two first maybe. You need very good eyesight! Or wear magnifying ready reading glasses. You only take the very tip off - a tiny amount - if you cut too much off it cuts the quick and can bleed a lot (and also be extremely painful for them). Hence getting a vet to show you first might help. They usually use clippers while the hamster is held. It kind of needs doing sooner or later or they can scratch themselves with the long nails and cause sores or catch their eye. Sometimes the longer nails are quite soft and not like to cause scratch issues - but it also means they can't climb properly as can't get a grip. Sometimes the odd nail just falls out. Crusty eyes - fairly normal with older hamsters - often just one eye at a time. If it doesn't free itself up by next day you can bath it with a slightly damp cotton bud (not wet or the hamster will get wet) - just enough to free it up. Agree I wouldn't use tea tree cream. The other thing is they can lick it off. I believe aloe vera gel is ok but personally I'd just use the linseeds and see how it goes.