Syrian Claw trimming.

[*Thistle's_Daddy*]

So I had my sisters Golden Syrian I'm ham sitting and I was wondering if you can cut a Syrians claws by hand and if so, any methods on doing so because I'm not entirely sure if they have scruffs you can hold them by like dwarves which would make things easier. If it's not feasible to hand trim them, any creative alternatives? much obliged.

[vanilla-yazoo]

i used to as a child trim harrys, but he was a special case, being my soul mate in a hamster, he was so special to me.

placing a ceramic tile, a terracotta bowl or similar, can gently ease it down, i think pomice stones can also go in the cage, ild place these somewhere she will use often but not constant.
e,g
place her food bowl on a terracotta plate
or a tile under the water bottle

I have heard of sand inserts for wheels, but i think its not needed.

[jemmalg]

I can't imagine it would be much different to cutting dwarfies nails, Syrians will have scruffs so if he'll let you, you could try it that way. My WWs squirm too much when I try to scruff them though so it's a bit of a challenge, I have to just distract them whilst they're standing on one hand and trim their nails with a little scissors, even if it's just one claw a night or so.

I've heard of the sand inserts for wheels, wouldn't use them though as I think they could cut up their feet. I think a little rock or pebble under his water bottle could work, so he has to stand on it to drink

[vanilla-yazoo]

also, having a nice deep box of sand, as an outside toy, i use a big carrier with a good amount of sand, this will make them dig, that can help keep claws down. I dont do anything special for my syrians with their nails, they tend to be fine, they all wear them down opening peanuts and things.

[Lynternette]

I'll let my DIL cut my babies nails if needed. She did a great job on the dwarfies. I can't even watch.

[souffle]

It isn't that hard if you just do a couple of claws a night if needed. We just hold the paw and press down firmly which spreads the toes and quickly clip them off. I know some are wigglers and may need scruffed but as long as you scruff then turn over so the whole hamster is supported in your hand. It is easier if one person holds and one clips we find.