Hamster Nails

[Hammy Chum]

Advice! I have noticed over the last 3-4 weeks Chumleys nails have got quite long. Not been a problem previously! (he's two in november - we think).

There's zero chance of me being able to clip them without losing a finger haha (we're not able to handle him easily) - and a vet visit for this I think would hugely stress him especially in the heat - I'd have to wake him up, assuming he'd need some kind of mild gas etc or the vet would lose a finger... he's never been to the vet yet although we are registered with one for emergencies.

So my question is, is there anything we can do to encourage him to file down his nails naturally? I'm not sure why they've got longer now... but is there anything he could scrabble on, etc??

 

[Socks' Mum]

I've seen someone put their hamster into a net or mesh bag and then trim the nails where they stick out through the bag. It might work. I will look for the video on You Tube

 

[Socks' Mum]

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Here is the video

 

[Hammy Chum]

Im not sure how we could put him in a bag though!! like i said we're not able to pick him up - he's friendly and we hand feed him treats, he jumps into his travel cage to go in his playpen etc but i think he's absolutely freak out being put in a bag :-(

 

[Socks' Mum]

Im not sure how we could put him in a bag though!! like i said we're not able to pick him up - he's friendly and we hand feed him treats, he jumps into his travel cage to go in his playpen etc but i think he's absolutely freak out being put in a bag :-(

Yes, maybe the bag isn't suitable for Chumley. Perhaps a cork log would help wear his nails down a bit as it has a rough surface

 

[Amy]

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Here is the video

My favourite YouTuber

 

[Socks' Mum]

My favourite YouTuber

Her hamsters are so tame and huge

 

[Hammy Chum]

Yes, maybe the bag isn't suitable for Chumley. Perhaps a cork log would help wear his nails down a bit as it has a rough surface

I might look at a cork log? I just REALLY dont think i could get chum in a bag!

 

[Socks' Mum]

I might look at a cork log? I just REALLY dont think i could get chum in a bag!

Yes, I think the hamster on You Tube was quite used to being handled. Chumley might have other ideas about sitting in a mesh bag

 

[Scarlet42]

I had a hamster who was used to being handled but was so wriggly it was impossible for me to cut her nails. But I did manage to get one, I think, by putting some baby food for her on the sofa (a place she was used to running around on) and me getting near her feet while she was occupied. If giving me looks, wondering what I was up to. Might not work, but worth a try.

I also got her some slate tiles (from Hamster Helper: https://hamsterhelper.co.uk/products/slate-short-hamster-nails although other places sell them). I put one under her water bottle so she had no choice but to stand on it to drink. She had the same problem with long nails once she got old and I can't say it made any difference, but also worth a try.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Yes, you can get lava ledges for them to climb over which should help too

 

[Socks' Mum]

Kaytee Lava Ledge, Shelf, Climbing Wall for Small Pets, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Rabbits, Rats, Safe to Chew, Natural Pumice Rock : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Promote healthy teeth and encourage natural climbing and exercise with this safe, chew-proof lava ledge made from natural pumice rock. Easily attaches to any wire cage.

www.amazon.co.uk

The small ones for hamsters are only about £9 and should help

 

[Hammy Chum]

I'm going to order a lava ledge although he may just try and eat it instead! and maybe a cork log? I could put the lava ledge under his bottle in the cage....? (so he sort of has to sit on it to drink?)

 

[Socks' Mum]

Socks had one and he used to like climbing onto it. He never tried to chew on it. They are rather nice

 

[Maz]

Advice! I have noticed over the last 3-4 weeks Chumleys nails have got quite long. Not been a problem previously! (he's two in november - we think).

There's zero chance of me being able to clip them without losing a finger haha (we're not able to handle him easily) - and a vet visit for this I think would hugely stress him especially in the heat - I'd have to wake him up, assuming he'd need some kind of mild gas etc or the vet would lose a finger... he's never been to the vet yet although we are registered with one for emergencies.

So my question is, is there anything we can do to encourage him to file down his nails naturally? I'm not sure why they've got longer now... but is there anything he could scrabble on, etc??

Hi. How long are they? I personally wouldn't want to put a hamster in a bag. The way that works for me is, when they are out of the cage on the sofa, put an egg cup on the sofa with baby food in. The hamster sits there licking up the baby food. I sit next to the hamster and a small pair of nail scissors and just snip the very end of one or two nails. While a foot is just there visible. By the second nail they tend to notice and pull their foot away. I sometimes get a third one done. Then have to repeat the process another day until I've got them done two or three at a time. This might work if there are only maybe 2 or 3 particularly long ones. It's a bit slow and tedious but they are sitting still so no slips. The main thing is you need to only snip the tiniest bit off the end - the nail might still be a bit long but it's slightly shorter! Because if you cut too far down you can cut the quick and then it can hurt them and also bleed a lot.

To be honest, the first time, it is usually better to take them to the vets. It might stress him a bit but he'll get over it.

I have a rough granite tile or a terracotta plant pot base under the water bottle (or bowl) so it roughens their nails every time they go for a drink. While this helps to regularly roughen the nails, and an element of prevention to keep them shorter, it won't actively make them shorter when they've got too long.

 

[Hammy Chum]

thing is at the vet i think he's need to be knocked out, plus woken up early as he only comes out at 9pm ish.. time in travel case etc etc.... i just worry that as he's getting on now in hamster years that the stress would be far more damaging to him? He cant be held / picked up unfortunately.

I will get some clippers (any recs??) and see if i can clip a few through the bars / while bribing with treat - he lets me stroke his paw sometimes

 

[Socks' Mum]

Sweet Chumley, I hope things work out

 

[Maz]

I find a tiny pair of nail scissors is easier than clippers, because you can see what you're clipping - and it's easier to slide under a nail and snip it. Something like these

Nail scissors

 

[Maz]

Do you have a photo of how long they are? A little bit long and a rough tile might help.