Nail Clipping (photos)

[kelly]

Thank you, I'll try tonight on my own and then if I cant I'll take him in to the vet.

[Calvin_and_Hobbes]

Baby ferret nails are usually long because the pet stores don't cut them.
I trimmed my boys nails a few days after they came home with me.
Just know, that even if your ferret squirms while being scruffed, he is not in any pain. He's just trying to act miserable

[kelly]

I got the front paws done but he squirmed too much even with him in my mouth and he wouldn't lay on his back and lick the feritone, that has worked wonderful for the other 4 ferrets but not this little one. I think I'll try when he is sleeping and see how that works.

[Liz]

Hey, atleast you got the front paws done :-) They grow faster anyway

[kelly]

Yes and today I did the back ones while he was sleeping thanks soo much for the tips.

[albinorules]

When I'm by myself, i pour half a cup of water in a dish and set it next to my lap. Then grab the little girl, put her on m lap and while she drinks i clip the front. Then hold her belly up so her back legs dangle so she can't tuck them in and then it's treat time!!!!

[buddyandsox]

k here's my question. I clipped some nails today, and how do you get it parralel to the floor? I just don't see any way of doing it without it being a huge hassle and the ferrets gettin all scared b/c it's not just a quick snip. Oh and my Buddy just lays there on his back on my legs and lets me do it. Baby is another story...

[Ashley]

What kind of clippers are you using? I use baby nail clippers, they're only about $1 at walmart, and when they get a bit dull I just trash them and buy new. For my 2 adult ferrets, I clip nails by putting ferretone on the bellies. Since Buddy just lays on his back it's seemingly the same thing. I lay the ferret so their head is toward my belly, and hold their little paw in my hand, gently bending it forward so it looks parallel to the floor. Then slide the clippers around the nail, and hold it perpendicular to the floor. That way you get a nice clean cut. It sounds kinda wordy and hard to do but it's just hard to explain. Maybe I will try to shoot a short video clip when I have time. Anyhow I can clip my girls' nails in mere seconds. It is easy once you do it a ka-zillion times. Good luck!

[LunarFlame]

ashley said:

What kind of clippers are you using? I use baby nail clippers, they're only about $1 at walmart, and when they get a bit dull I just trash them and buy new. For my 2 adult ferrets, I clip nails by putting ferretone on the bellies. Since Buddy just lays on his back it's seemingly the same thing. I lay the ferret so their head is toward my belly, and hold their little paw in my hand, gently bending it forward so it looks parallel to the floor. Then slide the clippers around the nail, and hold it perpendicular to the floor. That way you get a nice clean cut. It sounds kinda wordy and hard to do but it's just hard to explain. Maybe I will try to shoot a short video clip when I have time. Anyhow I can clip my girls' nails in mere seconds. It is easy once you do it a ka-zillion times. Good luck!

I Wouldn't use people clippers, even baby ones, they can split pet finger/toe tails. Instead I would use a cat clipper. They kina look like hooked scissors. They make a clean cut and lessen te chance of splitting the nail.

[Ashley]

Well, I know what you mean, but I think that cat clippers are much harder to use. I haven't had a problem with the nail slipping, but I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

[xVelvet_FuzzButtx]

i can't cut the 'right way'. :-\I just snip each nail. Then again i cut atleast twice a week(somtimes more) so its not much too cut each time.

[Calvin_and_Hobbes]

I don't cut the "right way" either. They never get long enough to.

[krynamama2lil]

I dont either, I just cut them quick.. whatever angle they cut is how they cut, or else I get bit to heck, even while scruffing lol

[tinysagittarian]

I haven't had a problem with people clippers and splitting either, as long as I use them in the NON people clipping direction.

I love the scruffing method ...mmm tasty! Thanks for the tip. Osa is still a struggle no matter what I do.

[Ashley]

Right, you clip with the baby nail clippers to the side, not from top to bottom. If you do it from top to bottom you crush the nail, and I can see the problem with that. But I've had such good luck and ease with clipping with baby clippers, (from the side again).... even my baby will sit in my lap while I clip his front paws... no ferretone or anything! (not that he'd take it...