I definately dont recommend using sand paper as a way to wear down hamster's nails - i am not sure if it actually works anyway, but the main reason if because of what someone told me a few years ago - they said why create a ew problem by trying to correct an old problem? Which i always remembered and always took to mean that because hamster's feet are so delicate and small, walking / running on sand paper would probably only cause more problems and make their feet sore / raw etc.
To be honest, i rarely have problems with any of my Robos - they never seem to have long nails, and i never have to trim them either - and most of them dont have wheels for long periods either (males and females who are in with babies). I do have one Robo who seems to have problems with her nails, she is a White - Faced Robo who is quite a bit over 2 years of age - as i dont have problems with any other of my Robos, i didnt check her nails very often at all, but when i did
i realised how long they were, they were extremely long.
I had only ever had to trim rescue hamsters' nails, and occasionaly my Russian Hamsters, so i didnt like the idea of having to trim her nails, as i thought it would be very difficult. I actually tried it one day while my husband was at work, as i thought that if i could just get maybe the longest one or two nails trimmed then that would be a start and my husband could help me with the rest when he came home, but once i started i realised that she wasnt even going to flinch!!
I couldnt believe it! I managed to do ALL of her nails in about half an hour, she just stayed completely still and let me trim away! She isnt a very hyper Robo at all, but i just didnt expect her to stay so still - it was great though
I would recommend baby nail trimmers as they have less possibility of getting aan actual toe trapped, instead of just the nail, and always do it in a lit up room, so you can see where the pink bits in the nail are - if you trim too close to that it will bleed. Also, always try to do the longest nail first, which will be easier and also more comfortable for the hamster once that nail gets trimmed - and remember that it is always best to trim to little off than too much off!
Even if you only get one nail done in one day, it is better than nothing, and once you have done it a few times you will soon get the hang of it - and it is better if you have someone to help you
Prevention is always better, but i really dont know what to suggest
as i said before, most of my Robos dont need their nails trimming, and the one that does, has always lived in the same environment as the others
- and she has a wheel all the time! You could try card board boxes, egg cartons, tubes etc. as they do like to dig and scratch them, but just keep an eye on them.
Hope this long post helps
Tammy x
Re: thinking of buying another robo
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