Hamster nails

[skatergirl11]

Hi I have a dwarf hamster and its nails are getting really long and I have rocks in his cage and its not realy helping. I would do his nail myself but I don't know really how to do it. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do instead of going to the vet?

[Cotton]

Hi Skatergirl,

I put a terra cotta saucer in my hamster's cage and it seems to have helped wear down her nails. It's upside down and in an area of the cage where she has to step on it to move to/from a higher level.

Her nails weren't very long, though. If your hamster's nails become too long, this can be painful for the hamster so it might be a good idea to have them clipped this time by a veterinarian and then try the terra cotta to keep them short.

Other people here may have additional suggestions.

[cypher]

Once the nails are overgrown then they need to be trimmed properly, if you take your ham to the vet to have it done they should be able to show you how to do it so you can do it yourself in future.
Stones don't really seem to do a lot, I have terracotta flower pots, saucers & granite tiles which can help to keep them worn down a little but Russian hams nails in particular do grow fast & usually need trimming at some point.

[skatergirl11]

Cypher how much do trimming costs?

[cypher]

It varies a lot, best thing is to phone your vet & ask.

[skatergirl11]

Ok thanks Cypher later me and my mom are going to phone the veterinarian and ask about it!