Are your hamster's nails too long?

[HamSamich]

For hammies who like to dig in their sand baths, what if you put sand paper or maybe slate stone down in the bottom of the bath, under the sand? Would that help file their nails down? I find my hams don't stop digging until they get down to the bottom!

If that doesn't work, I'd try some nail clippers for small dogs. I'm a bather at dog wash, and we have those tiny cat or chihuahua nail clippers that I think would be perfect. None of my hams need nails cut yet, but I am going to try out suggestions here as well as some other ideas of mine when I need to. My idea is to use a dremel. We use these at work to file dog nails down... I imagine just a second of contact with the dremel tool would file the nails down perfect so they wouldn't be sharp. I think this would be a good idea with the wire mesh and glass bowl.

[Victoriah107]

Gr-e-a-t idea, emery boards! The sweeties do need a ped or manicure now and then. I love this forum <3

[antm]

I lined hammys clean out day box with the bird cage sand paper, all sides, once he stopped trying to eat it and start climbing took the edge off his nails.

[hikaru]

Originally Posted by antm

I lined hammys clean out day box with the bird cage sand paper, all sides, once he stopped trying to eat it and start climbing took the edge off his nails.

GREAT idea! I will soooo try this

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Never ever try and do their nails with a dremel! I'm a dog groomer, and have seen those dremel style nail cutters at work, and their a horrendous idea. They spin so quickly it actually burns the dog's nails and this is why they never seem to bleed when their used. They go so quick it's almost impossible to stop them going to far, but when they hit the quick, the heat actually cauterises the blood so it looks like it's fine, but it's actually gone way too far and extremely painful for the dog. I dread to think what such action would do to tiny hammy nails, it's almost certain you would cut the feet (very possibly off) and cause a lot of pain. Please please do not ever use one of these, or a dremel (their basically the same thing) on a hamster, you will end up with a very unhappy, badly injured pet. If you don't believe me, try and hold one against your own fingertips - you won't even be able to make contact.

[Gazmo]

i cut a few nails at a time, when thy have just wowken up, means they dont squirm

[chunksmom80]

I just gave Chunk a mani- pedi with an emery board, and it went better than I thought! a few swipes and I could deff tell a difference. I followed it up with his fave treat as a reward for being such a good little boy. I think a couple more times and his nails will be perfect!

[hammy2]

I wouldn't use sandpaper either to be honest, if they pouch it goodness knows what it would do to the inside of their pouches :-/ a rough stone in the sand bath and a tile under the water bottle would be better.

[njwilde]

Originally Posted by souffle

I doubt Chewie's nails are overgrown Sammybingo as Syrian nails seldom need clipping except in vey old inactive hamsters so I wouldn't worry about them. An active young hamsters nails will be fine.

Hm, I noticed my Syrian Ellie has started to have her nails too long recently. strange thing is, though, she is still teh most active Syrian I ever had! She is in the Alaska cage with lots of toys, has a flying saucer and a plastic wheel, climbs a lot, has a sand bath and is out at least 1 hours every day ( 30 minutes in a ball and at least 30 minutes running around the room/bed etc. I had a read through the thread and I will try the walnut trick (she already has monkey nuts...) but as for filing it does not work as she is far too active!

It really puzzles me why her nails are too long. I will try again this week otherwise a trip to the vet is needed, as I don't feel I have the confidence in clipping Ellies' myself. I manage the guinea pigs but they are far more placid than Miss Eleanor Rigby!

Any idea why they could have grown so much all of a sudden when her circumstances haven't changed? I rescued her 14 months ago and was told she was around 5 months bac then so she is at least 19 months. But still as active and nuts as ever!

[daydreambeliever]

I'm a bit worried with nibbles because I'm taming him when I.went to look at his nails he bit me. I've put a sandbath using.my sisters degu sand should I keep doing.that until we bond?