Hamsters nails too long...

[oimysizex]

Any way I can help his nails get shorter without having to clip them? I've just got him a new wheel as he didn't run on his old one, but this is much bigger one and he runs in it every night. Will the wheel running help keeping them short

I don't mind taking him to the vets or doing it myself, just don't want to stress him if there are any other ways I can help. Thanks

They're not really long, just longer than I would like

[kyrilliondaemon]

Putting a stone under his water bottle may help (its a rough surface for him to walk on) but to be honest I'd probably just go for the clipping - if they're too long then its better to get them short sooner than later

[oimysizex]

Thank you. I will opt for clipping. It's only one of
His back nails that are long.

Thanks for your swift reply x

[kyrilliondaemon]

No problem, good luck with the clipping

[SinNyx]

I have a stone under a water bottle for an older hamster that is less active and it seems to help.

Also, having a sand bath can help a lot so the hamster can wear their nails down while having a good dig

[Hekomi]

I also have a "spa wheel". I've taken a mesh wheel, which are normally dangerous, and covered it with fine grit sandpaper.

I had it from my previous hamster. It provides a running surface where toes won't fall through, but their nails will wear against the sandpaper through the little grates.

I only let them use this during playtime for 20minutes approximately. Come to think of it I haven't dug it out in a while.

[BrainGirl]

If it's only one claw that's long it could be that it's misaligned, maybe by a deformity or an old injury. In that case you may have to keep clipping it since it won't be able to wear down on its own

[Hekomi]

Java's outer nails are always the longest. I guess they don't get as much use/wear. I just scruff her and do it myself, but not everyone wants to do that. But I agree to what BrainGirl says - it may be something you'll need to watch out for.