FAQ: Grooming for small pets

Stress shows as strong struggling, biting, squealing, rapid breathing or freezing. In that case stop grooming, let the animal calm down and continue another time with a shorter session.

Nails that are too long can curl, grow into the foot, change the way the animal walks and strain the joints. Pets kept indoors wear them down less than in the wild, so the nails need regular trimming.

Guinea pig nails usually need clipping every 3–6 weeks, depending on how fast they grow and how much the animal walks on rough surfaces. Check regularly whether the nails are starting to bend sideways.

A rabbit’s nails usually need trimming every 4–8 weeks, but this depends on the animal’s activity and the flooring. Clip them when they start sticking out of the fur or you can hear them clicking on the floor.

Usually not, as they wear their nails down by digging and running. Old or inactive animals may need them shortened, but nails that small are safest clipped by a vet.

Sometimes, especially if the nails are very sharp and scratch the owner’s skin, or older rats move less. You can clip just the very tips or put a rough tile in the cage that helps wear the nails down.

Chinchillas and degus usually wear down their nails themselves if the cage has natural branches, stones and varied surfaces. If the nails start to curl or get in the way of walking, it is worth asking a vet.

Small scissor-type nail clippers or clippers with a round opening are most commonly used for small pets. The blades must be sharp and cut cleanly, because blunt tools crush and split the nail.

Human nail clippers are sometimes used on small animals, but they can pinch and split an animal’s rounded nail. It is safer to use nail clippers made specifically for small pets.

The quick is the blood vessels and nerves inside the nail, and in light-coloured nails it shows as a pinkish area. Clip only the clear tip, leaving a few millimetres before the pink part.

In dark nails the quick cannot be seen, so clip off very small pieces at a time and watch the cut surface. When a darker, moist spot appears in the middle of the nail, stop, and shining a torch through the nail can help.

Press styptic powder or, if you have none, cornflour onto the nail tip and hold for a few minutes. If the bleeding does not stop or the toe swells, see a vet.

Yes, it is worth having it ready every time you clip nails, because even with care you can accidentally nick the quick. Use the powder according to the label and keep it in a dry place.

Nails that are too long start to bend sideways or downwards, and the animal walks oddly or puts weight on the side of its foot. Healthy nails should not touch the ground when the animal stands, or only barely.

In nails left uncut for a long time the quick often grows out with the nail, so they cannot be shortened much in one go. Such nails are safest shown to a vet, who will shorten them gradually over several sessions.

Some owners carefully smooth the nail tips with a file, especially after clipping, so there are no sharp edges. The noise and vibration of an electric file frightens most small pets, so it must be used very cautiously.

Yes, natural stones, ceramic or stone tiles and branches help nails wear down naturally. Still, they do not always replace clipping, especially for guinea pigs and rabbits, so the nails still need checking.

Start by touching and gently pressing its feet when it is calm, and reward it with a treat. Clip a few nails at a time, and later, once it is used to it, you can do them all in one go.

Yes, many vet clinics and some groomers trim small pets’ nails. This is a good option if you are unsure, the animal is very restless or the nails are badly overgrown.

Clipping only the clear tip of the nail causes no pain, as there are no nerves in it. It hurts only if the quick is cut or blunt clippers squeeze the nail, so it is important to clip a little at a time with sharp tools.