Hamster Nails

[Hamsters82]

Obviously hamster nails can grow long. So if they look long is there anything one can do about it? On one of Chewie's back paws it looks like his nails are really long, but I don't' think that the vet does that. I'm not sure, but it's only one paw, so is there any other option I could go for with him?

Thanks all.

[hamwolf89]

thats kind of odd only having one foot like that. Are you sure they are long, are they curling?

well if your hamster is a good groomer he would just cut them himself, but if you are really concerned you could try and pin him down with some mesh and stick the lil foot out from it where then, you could cut it. Or you could do a two person job and have one person hold him firmly, and the other holding the paw out with the scissors (for nail cutting)

[Hamsters82]

No, Hollie, they aren't curling. I just noticed his back right paw's claws look longer than his others. I'll look at them again today because his home needs a cleaning. And thanks for the advice.

[pinky]

It is interesting that one foot would have longer nails than the rest. I would think that a vet may trim nails if you asked. No harm in asking.

I agree with Hollie--look for curling. If Chewie's foot looks ok when he's standing, then the nails are probably fine.

A human's nail clipper works fine, but be careful to nip off the bare minimum. You don't want to nip the quick. From what I understand you can use flour on the nail if you do.

I read somewhere that the best way is to wrap the ham in a cloth or towel, have someone hold the bundle, then pull out just the leg that needs attention and clip.

[Die Fledermaus]

I once rescued a trio of dwarfs who had nails curling like an opium-addled Chinese Mandarin!

I took them to my rescue friend and she was able to trim them without assistance! I was impressed. But then I was able to much later do it myself. it all depends on a proper scruff.

I have never seen Syrian nails needing trimmings, and I have had many dozens. But I suppose they can be trimmed too--above the quick, of course.

[Hamsters82]

Update: I was talking to Sara today, a co-worker of mine, and she said she knows how long hamster nails aren't supposed to get so this Tuesday I'm bringing Chewie to where I work and Sara will have a look at him.

I trust her, so I trust her with my Chewsie. So that's that, I hope his nails aren't long, but if they are Sara is doing them for free. Now they get to see what my little guy looks like.

Until Tuesday....

[Die Fledermaus]

Never heard of too long nails on a Syrian. Never seen it, not even on one who lived well over two years.

How about a photo of the nails? In fact, now that I think about it, how about some closeup photos of you-know-who?

The dwarf nails I described looked really long, like a Chinese Mandarin's on opium.

[Hamsters82]

A photo of the nails, do you know how long that would take to get? And they just look long to me, I might find out Tuesday that they're not. I paid attention to Sophie, but she rarely had anything wrong with her, maybe because Chewie has visited the vet so much I'm overreacting. But better safe than sorry.

I'm hoping Chewie goes to three years of age, but I try not to think about it too much. He's the longest living hamster I've had so far. Harriet made it to two, but then died of a tumor. And Benny, Theo, and Sophie didn't make their second b-day.

[Die Fledermaus]

>> A photo of the nails, do you know how long that would take to get? <<

For me? I would scruff the ham and keep his paws on the floor and then take a few shots. Then crop around the nails. So?

However long he has, he was blessed to be with you.

Best wishes to him.

[Hamsters82]

Thank you.

And this is just me, obviously , but I don't like scruffing an animal. I think it hurts them although I know it doesn't.

[Die Fledermaus]

It needs to be done for certain functions, and you only do it with hamsters who have pouches.

[Andrea]

I place a piece of brick, or coarse stone in the cage for them to scratch at to help with long nails.



Ed--I assume you meant "brick". DF

[Hamsters82]

And that doesn't hurt them Andrea? Cool, thanks for the bit of info.

[Hamsters82]

Sorry for the double post, but this is an update on what happened today. So I take Chewie in at 8:45am and everyone thought he was just so cute, and Sara gets out the smaller clippers and sees only three nails that are long. One was actually curling!

The nail I thought was long, Sara said it wasn't so that was good. So that was it, Chewie was a bit nervous but he did well. I then played with him in the car and then he went back to sleep.

Does anyone know how long hamster nails grow and when I should take him over to Paws again to have them clipped?

[Die Fledermaus]

I've never heard of a Syrian's nail curling.

I guess you should just watch as I have no idea about this. With dwarfs, yes; with Syrians, no.

Again, I've had dozens and never saw too long nails.

Best to Chewie. Tell him to set the camera on self-timer and take some self-portraits for us! His handsome visage remains as mysterious as Kain (whose birthday is today!).