NAIL CARE: TRIMMING/CLIPPING/FILING/ETC. (merged)

Fri Sep 13, 2002 1:41 am

My two girls have suddenly developed a razor blade on each toe and are cutting me to ribbons. Confused

I've tried clipping their nails and also tried filing them down, but the wriggle butts keep escaping from my clutches. I don't want to hurt them so could someone please suggest something as I don't like being hurt myself either! Rolling Eyes

Fri Sep 13, 2002 1:43 am

I keep a stone in my girls' cage. They LOVE climbing all over it,playing "king of the mountain" and when they do, they file their own nails as well! Best of luck! Mr. Green

_________________
~~Mallory~~
*~Paz~Mia~Nina~Medellia~Penelope~*
Angel rat

~Eleanor~ ~Sally~Maggie~

Fri Sep 13, 2002 3:33 am

I too have a large piece of rock in my girls cage. I placed it where their water bottle is so they have to walk on it everytime they want a drink.

Lisa & Ratties ~Rosie,Holly,Misty,Snowy,Honey,Suzie,Daisy & Cherub~

Fri Sep 13, 2002 6:33 am

That's a great idea, Etherstragic! I'll have to try that myself... wink

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Jennie and...
Butterbun
Smores
Naboo
Anakin
Jelly Bean

R.I.P., my little Poprocks. I will always love you.

Fri Sep 13, 2002 11:19 pm

Right, sent Daddy-Dearest out into the garden to find a rock. He came back with a small slab of slightly rough concrete, this will have to do! It's by the water bottle and the girls seem to think it's great fun to sit on!

All I need now is cover myself in pierceproof fabric everytime I get them out! :| They have been rather busy discoverign the delights of a honey stickle treat to want to come out at the moment though, typical!! Mr. Green

Sat Sep 14, 2002 1:53 am

If you can manage to get them to sit still you can take a finger nail file and gently file the sharpness off...it's definitly a chore to get done on squirming ratties, but it does help. And there is always one in the bunch who prefers to eat the file rather than let it be used for its purpose. wink

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Christy
RP Admin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Thu Dec 19, 2002 1:41 am

Yesterday I decided to clip Lily's nails because I now have little scratches all around my neck, on the back of my hands, and up and down my arms. It looks like I got cut all over

I tryed holding Lily in a towel, but she kept getting away and hiding. I didn't want to squeeze her too hard. Anyway the towel thing wasn't working. So I just picked her up and set her on my knee with my legs bent so she was about level with my head.Then I picked her up behind her front legs so her back paws rested on my knee. She stayed perfectly still while I clipped all her nails. No squirming or anything, just holding her gently with one hand. She was such a good girl! I almost cut her quick, but I was going slowly so she squeaked when I put pressure on it so I stopped right away. Her nails are nice and short now. She got a yogie for being such a good girl. I was so surprised at how calm she was while I was clipping her nails! She's such a good girl!

Thu Dec 19, 2002 2:30 am

Bravo Mandy! Just goes to show you, working with an animals feelings instead of using force and instilling fear can be magic. Cheers

Marnie and Co.

Thu Dec 19, 2002 7:51 am

Maybe you can send Lily here for a while and teach my lot to behave nicely for that?! I have resorted to filing them down with a nail file, but more often than not they are too busy trying to consume the file for it to do any good. Sheesh... Rolling Eyes

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Christy
RP Admin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Thu Dec 19, 2002 7:55 am

I have eight rats and each has their own favorite position for nailclippin ( except for one who just doesn t want anything to do with it) I think as long as they feel comfotable, they will let ya do anything!

Sat Dec 21, 2002 10:02 am

It's probably just a fluke since Lily can't participate in her favorite activity now without her super long claws. She used to slide down my arm all the time when she sat on my shoulder by going on her belly and dragging her back claws, but now she can't get a grip so she just falls straight down into my lap without sliding, she doesn't like that very much Sad

When the time comes around for another nail clipping I'm sure she'll be much more reluctant

Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:10 am

I keep my girls' nails down by placing a rock in their cage underneath their water bottle. That way, when they go to get a drink, they wear down their nails on the rock. You can also use a nail file or fingernail clippers, but this proves to be a bit more difficult and is more stressful for them. If you do use fingernail clippers, be careful to not cut too close to the toe or you can cause bleeding.
Your rattie may be mad at you for a while, but give a yogie and all will be forgotten and forgiven. :wink:
Best of luck to you!

_________________
~~Mallory~~
*~Paz~Mia~Nina~Medellia~Penelope~*
Angel rat

~Eleanor~ ~Sally~Maggie~

Wed Jan 01, 2003 7:56 pm

Well, Gregory spent the first six months in an aquarium and his nails were very sharp. I wear a sweatshirt when I wear my rats since their nails are so sharp(not comparable to Josh though) because I'm scared to clip and it's hard to hold them still sometimes if you file. Ziggy's breeder impressed me by the way she held Gregory and clipped his nails so efficiently. I just take them in to the vet for a pedicure, it's very quick.

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Sandra, Murray, Issabella, Cheesabella, Rowena, and Josh the Watchcat, In loving memory of MJP(Love you, Mom!) and my Angelrats:
Angel rat

Simon, Braford, Duncan, Shamrock, Blackjack, Ziggy, and Gregory Angel rat

Thu Jan 02, 2003 1:45 am

I purchased a pair of nail clippers and I got my brother to hold Summer, I mannaged to do one nail, then gave up because it was really nerve racking for me- I was terrified of huting her!

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Dani and The Season Rats

(Summer and Spring)

If its as worst as it can get then it can only get better!

Fri Mar 07, 2003 8:35 pm

I put a pebble under the water bottle so they file their own nails!

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Helen
+ The Girls - Pebble, Grace, Cerys & Tegan

Fri Mar 07, 2003 8:44 pm

This is something I've wanted to do for a while, but haven't got the nerve up yet.

My younger ones especially have razor sharp little claws that make my skin itch like a rash. They're like little daggers!

I've been advised to try it straight after they wake up - or wake them up yourself. A sleepy ratty is a slightly less wriggly ratty!

Mr. Green

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Kirsty

(Angel, Harmony, Druscilla, Buffy & Willlow at the Bridge. Now it's me, Rich, Dooob & Bebe)

Sat Mar 08, 2003 1:31 am

	Kirsty wrote:
	I've been advised to try it straight after they wake up - or wake them up yourself. A sleepy ratty is a slightly less wriggly ratty!

That's right! I forgot to mention that part. I've gotten so used to doing all their grooming in the mornings, it didn't occur to me.

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haelim

Fri May 02, 2003 6:09 am

The brick thing works but what I do is I use human fingernail clippers but the problam wit that is you have to be sure not to cut too much....

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Jessie,
& Juno, Rubie, and Bracken...
At the bridge: Daisie, Monkie, Sandie and Oreo...

Fri May 02, 2003 6:20 am

I have the same problem with my rat...his *Really* hurt. I was thinking about clipping them but I wasn't sure if you could do that..But now I know you can..

Fri May 02, 2003 6:46 am

If you're going to clip your rats' nails for the first time, please be sure you have styptic (I'm not certain I spelled that correctly) powder. This will quickly stop the bleeding should you cut the nails too short or should the rat squirm at just the wrong time. Good luck!

rq

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Fri May 02, 2003 9:46 pm

That's good advice about having the styptic powder (and cotton swabs) nearby.

Also, your first attempts should only be to trim off the tiniest bit of the nail. It's much better to trim your rats' nails very conservatively and more frequently than to try and get their nails short so that you only have to trim them once in a while.

I noticed that with my two boys, I only really feel it necessary to trim the nails on their hind feet. I've practiced with them a lot, first by encouraging them to stay on my lap while eating yogies (Muggins won't eat on my lap if ForkLift's nearby, so I usually wait for ForkLift to be distracted).

If they are sufficiently addicted to the treats to sit on my lap while eating, I leave the open yogie container in front of their face and have at their hind feet nails while they're busy eating. I find that they are in kind of a sugar coma and I can sneak in to trim the one or two longest of the nails on their hands.

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haelim

Fri Jul 18, 2003 3:40 am

Ooooh yes the battle of the sharp nails.

I usually do one hand or foot at the time. My boyfriend refuses to help me because they squeak and he thinks it hurts them so I have to do it by myself (im gentle about it and only do a little at the time, my ratties are just drama kings). Basically I put the rat on my lap facing to my left, with my left arm I hold the rat tight against my tummy, grab a foot and flip it back so the bottom of the foot faces up and I just clip the very tips of the nails with a baby clipper. Dont hold the ankle very hard because a lot of times they will try to twist and get away, mine just endure it for a few minutes so it works for me.

Good luck!

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Debi
Ratties: Milo, Otis, Matilda, Fiona
HamHams: Boo, Tobie, Andretti, Hollister, Zippy, Miso and Miso, Runt, Bugeater, Spazmo, Tadpole, Pijamas, Cube, Mini, Mauz, Bridget and Fidget.
Goodbye to: Cotton Pike, Lilliput, Limpit, Sushi, Itigo Robo.

Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:15 pm

I cut all my rats' nails every week, using normal nail cutters. It takes about 1minute per rat! They're so used to it now, it's not a problem but at first most of them used to squeal as though they were being murdered. Just take off the tip, try not to cut the quick, but don't panic if you do - it'll bleed and hurt for a bit but won't cause any long term damage.

Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:34 pm

You know, my guys don't give me much of a problem with their front nails, but they HATE when I clip their back nails. But I've come up with a system untill they get used to it. I sit them on a towel with their heads facing my tummy, and then i put the towl over their upper body (not suffocating them, just so they can move around less of course!). It seems to calm them down a little bit, and before you know it, their nails are all clipped!

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~*~
Copper
and Little Bear, Pinkie, Igby, Dewey, Curly, and Mo

Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:04 am

Lol. My rats give me hives if I don't clip their claws. I use the plyers with the razor blade and the arch. Hard to explain. I wear the ratties out with an extra long play time, then put a leash on them, and hold their feet and trim. I've been playing with baby rattie feet from like day one, and when they grow up, it's MUCH easier to clip their claws.

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Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:09 am

I know the snippers your talking about, i don't have any handy tho Sad

I think Lila might try and chew my hand off if i tried to hold her foot still! LOL!! Shes my ADHD rat Embarassed

lol such a sweetie but shes always got to be moving! You bring up a good point too, i will start handling the babies feet and act like i'm clipping them to get them used to it and to holding still!

Thanks!!

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Richelle

The Rattles
~*~Lila, Snow White, Bob, Harry and Ron~*~

My Angel Baby
~*~ Jay ~*~

Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:32 am

Yup. I had to figure something out, because when I get scratched, I get horrible hives and I can't stop itching and all that. All of my litters are 'trained' to let people clip their claws. This next litter's going to be a pain in the butt, there's 15 of them! Lol. My last litter I kept 4 girls, and they're pretty good. But when I get an adult from somewhere else, it's like impossible, so I wear them out, then use a towel so that I don't get super hives! Lol.

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Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:33 am

I keep my girls' nails down by keeping a rock in their cage. I put it under their water bottle, so in order to get a drink, they must walk over the rock, which files their nails down. It works pretty well, I haven't been sliced to ribbons since the rock

You can also use a brick, they both work well.

_________________
~~Mallory~~
*~Paz~Mia~Nina~Medellia~Penelope~*
Angel rat

~Eleanor~ ~Sally~Maggie~

Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:36 am

I've tried the rock thing, but they never got them down enough, or they'd leave a few nails in the back sharp enough to mess up my arms or necks or something.

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Sun Sep 28, 2003 10:29 am

i use nail clippers... but just don't use the toenail ones! yu could have more than a nail if you aren't careful!!

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"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before"- Mae West

Sun Sep 28, 2003 7:49 pm

I was also wondering about this, my neck area looks awful.I was told if you cut there nails then they would just grow back faster and sharper.Is this true? Thank you Confused

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Carolyn
Smores,Pearl,Sky,Tipper,Sapphire,Lucy,Suzy,and Sandy.Buster, Buddy and Crazy Joe (CJ).... Ferrets.
Past on sweeties...........Rosie,Vader and Jean

Sun Sep 28, 2003 7:52 pm

I don't find that to be true. It's like cutting cat's claws, birds and dogs. I clip them once a week. They grow fairly fast, if you don't cut them, they won't grow as fast because they're already super long. Just like if you cut your hair short, it grows faster than when it's longer... Lol. At least that's what it looks like it's doing.

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Sun Sep 28, 2003 11:30 pm

	Quote:
	I keep my girls' nails down by keeping a rock in their cage

I tried that but they just climbed up the cage and hung over it to drink :laugh: the sneaky little things!!!

All the books I have say you should only trim the back claws. but it doesn't say why.

Mon Sep 29, 2003 6:33 pm

I trim the hooks on the front claws. But if you keep them on your shoulder, walk a little slower, they can't hang on as well.

I just clipped my one litters' claws, and they were all fine with it, but I have another rattie of the same age that I got from a friend, and he was ticked. I think handling their feet at super young ages helps.

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Mon Nov 17, 2003 8:25 pm

Do you have to clip their nails? so far I haven't but just wondered. They are quite long but They need a bit for climbing don't they? How long is too long?

Mon Nov 17, 2003 9:53 pm

You don't have to but you can. Sometimes it does become necessary if you notice the nails beginning to curl around. This usually tends to happen in older rats. Trimming nails will also help to keep them from being so sharp. Just be very careful not to cut the quick and always have some styptic powder or cornstarch on hand before trimming, just in case.

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Christy
RP Admin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:05 am

They're not too sharp at the moment and are niot curly. sounds like I can just leave them alone

Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:15 am

Some ratties will keep their own toe nails trimmed. I've had girls who keep their toe nails nice and short and oh, so neat! Had others, usually boys, who wouldn't keep their nails trimmed at all (big slobs!) and I had to trim them. It's not too terribly difficult, especially if you start handling their little feet when they're babies or very young ratties so that they get accustomed to it. I usually do my rattie-nail-trimming in the morning when everybody is sleepy. Sneeky me! wink

Just go slow. Be very gentle and calm. Have very good lighting to where you can see the quick (the vein in the nail) and whatever you do DON'T cut the nail so short that you hit the quick! It hurts the rattie, and it bleeds for-almost-ever unless you have some styptic powder. Better to just go slow, take your time, be extra gentle but firm, and be able to see what you're doing. If you can't get the angle just right, or the rattie keeps yanking their foot away, just take a breather, relax, give it a little time, and try again. If they're still being uncooperative, give them a snack to much on and keep them occupied while you finish up on the trimming.

Oh, btw, I use an old pair of canary nail clippers to do my ratties' nails. They're old (really old) but still work as well as the day they were bought.

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Deb and the
Blue Steel Rats ~~((((8:>

A proud rattie owner since 1964

Thu Nov 20, 2003 7:04 am

One way of keeping their nails down a bit is to let your ratties run around on some sandpaper/emery paper for a couple of minutes when they're out.

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Jayne & Bob the old, Sammy, Frankie, Floyd, Jasper, Dylan, Zebedee, Stan, Bella, Cinnamon & Pepper

In my thoughts Angel rat

Ganja, Willow, Smudge, Biz, Star, Fred, my beloved Joe, little Ollie & little lady Fizz xx

Fri Jan 09, 2004 4:45 pm

Up untill now, I've always used human nail clippers to trim my rats nails. I've never had a problem.
But my old boy Zero has lost usage of his hind legs so his nails grow quite rapidly, they're also very thick and brittle. When I use human nail clippers on them, they seem to sort of 'crush' the nail instead of trim off a neat bit.

If it's doing it to his nails, it's likely they're not the best things to use for any of my rats. I don't often have to trim nails as my rats come out a lot and wear them down, but am I just being paranoid? Are human nail clippers ok?

Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:55 pm

I use small animal nail clippers and find they do the job better than human nail clippers.

The ones I have are similar to these http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=73&pf_id=1079

I've seen them in Pets at Home and various other petshops but I bought mine from the Acrorats stall at a show.

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Isla

Beanie & Meg
RIP Marmite, Treacle, Pepper & Pickles (we all miss you)

Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:03 am

I use small nail scissors and nerves of steel!

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Sab

"I feel like I know her, but sometimes my arms bend back"

Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:27 am

I've heard you can put a brick or a chunk of concrete or any stone with that sort of roughness in their cage. When they climb on it, the nails get filed. It's never worked on mine, and I could never rinse the pee smell out of said brick, so ended up tossing it, but it might work for others.

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Arvay and the Squirmin' Vermin

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'

--Erma Bombeck

Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:57 am

I just suffer the scratches in silence.

But I remember having to trim Widget's nails when he was getting old, because they were starting to curl. I just used small nail scissors. I hated doing it though, and I was convinced that I would catch a blood vessel and do him some real damage.

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Linda and the RMDs

Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:09 am

i use a human nail clipper.. its best to get my lads out when they are half asleep. The get 'em efore they realise approach is always best! They look a bit stunned when you put them back!

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"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before"- Mae West

Tue May 18, 2004 2:01 pm

Does anyone have any pictures of what bumblefoot looks like? I'm kind of worried about Basil as, under his nail, the bump of his toe looks a little bigger than normal. I think it was because his nails were a bit long and it was pressing against the skin, but I want to be sure. Also, does anyone have any problem with cutting older rat's nails. Poor Basil is not very patient with me when I try to clip his nails and they do tend to hurt him when I cut them. His nails almost curve under his feet for crying out loud, but if I cut them much shorter, they bleed. Any help?

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My zoo: Link, Cyrano de Bergerat, Pipsqueak and the girls Harley, Kira and Esie<:8 )~
Also, Arwen the garter snake, Merry the beta, 2 fantail goldfish, 4 applesnails (r.i.p. pinky), 3 cory cats and Evie, the Jack Russell Terrier.

Tue May 18, 2004 11:31 pm

This is from a guinea pig care page (scroll down): bumblefoot

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Good night, Witter, Kono, Rat, Olie, Metro, Calle, Mr. Ratburn, Arwen, Leather, Ohana, Zoe, Misto, and Kanga.

Wed May 19, 2004 2:33 am

Thanks! From the looks of it, it's not bumblefoot. Just hammertoes:P

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My zoo: Link, Cyrano de Bergerat, Pipsqueak and the girls Harley, Kira and Esie<:8 )~
Also, Arwen the garter snake, Merry the beta, 2 fantail goldfish, 4 applesnails (r.i.p. pinky), 3 cory cats and Evie, the Jack Russell Terrier.

Wed May 19, 2004 2:35 am

Will he cooperate if you give him a couple yogies or other favorite treat while the clipping is being done, or is he one of those guys who must go in the corner to eat?

Hmm, could be messy, but can you get someone to let him eat a small spoonful of ice cream while being clipped? I can't imagine he'd leave the spoon in favor of his toes. Mr. Green

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Wed May 19, 2004 2:53 am

LOL! Not unless I had 3 hands. One to hold the foot, one to hold the clippers, and one to hold the spoon:P I've tried the yogie thing, but it causes more problems than it solves.

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My zoo: Link, Cyrano de Bergerat, Pipsqueak and the girls Harley, Kira and Esie<:8 )~
Also, Arwen the garter snake, Merry the beta, 2 fantail goldfish, 4 applesnails (r.i.p. pinky), 3 cory cats and Evie, the Jack Russell Terrier.

Sat May 29, 2004 1:11 am

just be sure to ONLY get the tip of the claw. if you trim too far down then it bleeds and is highly painful for the rat. Good luck!

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~Sara and the ratties: Remi, Sulin, Chiad, Kaya, Min and Stitch~

Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:44 am

You might try going to the reptile section of the store and getting some reptile rocks for them to climb on. I've tried it and had mixed results. Also, if your girls like to run in a wheel, Wodent Wheels have an attachment that will file their nails as they run. I've clipped my girls' nails from time to time, but it can take as many as three people, since one has to hold the rat, one has to comfort the rat with head petting and the third clips the nail. It's possible, but I always worry that I'm going to cut her toes and not the nails 'cause they're not that much bigger. Good Luck

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Sarah
Gus, Electra and Lillie (cats)
Artemisia Serendipity Timoune Paikea Eowyn (RIP) Nimue Chrysanthemum Mozart, Elizabeth
Ruby Sunrise, Angelina, Madeleine, Claudia, and the Angels

Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:10 pm

I use slate kitchen tiles in the cage... you can usually buy them at home improvement stores. Get the natural slate kind, not ceramic. There are big pieces you can cut to fit and little ones you can out against each other if you dont want to cut. And they're so heavy the rats can't push them around. And they're cheap and really easy to clean (just pull them out and scrub!) It helps wear down their nails... don't get me wrong, they're still sharp, but at least now it's bearable, whearas before it was like having needles sliding all over your skin.

Hope that helps.

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~Vicki and her morning coffee~
Latte, Arabica, Bean, and Demitasse

O..O
>o<
(db)S
^^

Rest in Peace my sweet Mocha

Wed Jul 07, 2004 12:37 am

I start when they are young and trim them myself with nail clippers. I have to use my glasses and get into very good light. I trim just the sharp points off. They are good for me when I do it..... well... maybe the boys are a little wimpy!

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Rat lover forever!
Dianne

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To all the rats who have touched my heart... I will love you forever.

Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:54 am

I just keep a little statue thing in their cage that they can file their nails down on themselves. My boys never would stay still long enough for me to trim their nails. (Hard enough to keep them stilll enough to give them a bath lol)

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~*~texas~*~

Mon Jul 19, 2004 1:48 pm

I have the same problem, lol! I have to get my sis to hold them still so I can get to their toes and even then its hard! I found one useful way tho to trim their back nails, and that was to get an ankle sock and put their head in it then they just run into it. Then you can quickly cut their back nails whilst they're caught in the dead-end! tehe :p

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Shadow <:3 )~

I still luv you: Sooty <:3B)~
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Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:52 am

Oowth, what kind of statue thing is it? Do you mind asking where you got it too?

AllSmiles, I like the sock idea!

Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:08 am

I have trouble trimming mine too. What I have in my cage is one of those brightly colored sandpaper type bird perches. I have it as the only way to get up to the top level in the cage so they are forced to climb on it and thus scrape their nails on it to trim them. Occasionally I will trim their nails if they get way to long, but otherwise I just leave them alone. I think nail trimming stresses me out as much as it does them.

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Lydelia and the Critters
... and now they are five Mr. Green

Kitties: Miss Kitty, Catbot
Ratties: Eugenuis, Ralph and Elliott
RIP Oliver -- We love you and we'll miss you!!! Cry

Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:06 pm

Sandpaper and rocks don't really touch the rats nails at all. It just makes for harder pads on their feet Mr. Green

You want either: something they will climb up and stick their nails into to do so eg large apple branch - or learn to clip them.
It will seem impossible the first time you try but just persevere!!
http://www.neratsociety.co.uk/images/clippingclaws/clawclipping.htm - there are piccies here to help you!

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Joolz Rainbow Smiley

Blossom, Opal, Jorja & Evie <:3 )~~~

Last edited by Rainbowrat on Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:46 am

I bought one outdoor tile from a tile supplier, $3 Australian - a bargain. It's a big 30cm x 30cm size & I put it on the floor of their bottom cage between the food & toilet tray. It's slightly roughened with a fine kind of grit on the surface. gentle on the paws but it seems to be wearing the razors down nicely since I put it in.

Ratarama

Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:46 am

I hav a brick in my rat cage... They have to use it in order to get in their hammock, and if it's a hot day they'll even sleep on it. So that works pretty well.

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Kay
and the girls: Arty and Kuza

Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:24 am

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but the other day I found the easiest way to clip my boys' nails. I've bought them a nail-trimming ladder, put a brick under their water bottle, and tried to clip them while sitting in my lap, but none of it worked....

So the other day I'm watching them be cute and snuggly, when I notice how long (and scary) their nails are while their toes are hanging down thru the wire (they have wire levels in their cage), when I get an idea.... So I grabbed my partner's nail clipper, stuck my hand in the cage and clipped all the nails I saw hanging thru the wire. Beetlejuice was so sleepy, he didn't move at all, while Mr. Twit was a bit more jumpy with his front feet, but I think that was coz he was a bit more awake. You probably won't be able to get all the nails on the first go, but if you keep a nail clipper next to the cage, you should be able to get them all after a while.

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"got 'im!" she said as she snaffled him up

Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:22 pm

Yup, cornflour will work, though styptic powder or liquid will probably work better. Mostly you just need to keep pressure on it until the bleeding stops.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:36 am

I heard soap works as well...well it does on dogs anyway...you just grab a cake of soap and stick the bleeding claw into it...but I'm not sure if that would work on rats...I suppose it would...can't say I've ever needed to trim their claws!!

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..Rosie....Opal...Pebbles...Ruby....Pixie..

19.10.05 Angel rat

Pixie ~ sleep tight my little 'cheeky bum' xox

Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:31 am

after reading the posts, I decided to try to trim Katys nails down. I used my daughters nail clippers, and with her "helping" me keep Katy in one place, we managed to trim them down just a bit. So far everythings much better. I have a special shirt that I wear when we got out in public so that she doesn't shred my sensitive skin too terribly bad.

~KatysPerson/Weslee
White Lake, Mi

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Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:00 am

i can do the nails part fine where i live with my mom the animal groomer anyway. but what about trimming the teeth. my younger rats chew the bars or bones that i give them and i don't have a problem with it. but pocket my 2 year old who used to chew the bars and bones doesn't want to anymore. also her bottom teeth have split where the teeth goes white. the only vet around here that takes care of rats is really expensive and Pocket's tooth problem isn't going to go away so i'd rather do it myself if i could. does anyone know how to trim them? what to use and how far to go? aslo if anyone could tell me why pocket's teth split like that woul;d be great.

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mommy to:

1 human son: Corvis
1 feline son: Sesshoumaru
1 lost feline daughter: Snowball

Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:40 pm

Yeah, Daylin donjt wanna hold still either.Her nails arnt always a problem, I just wanna clip them when I have ppl over at the house or when we go to the store with her.She gets nervus and even a little nippy with other ppl and somtimes she claws me good when she gets so mad.I got to try the rock under the water bottle thing.Hope it works for her.I'v tryed cutting and fileing the sleepy girl, but she hops away and then she thinks we are playing 'Get Daylin' when I try to get her in my hands again.

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.:*~Creep and Daylin~*:.

Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:05 pm

	EthersTragic wrote:
	I keep a stone in my girls' cage. They LOVE climbing all over it,playing "king of the mountain" and when they do, they file their own nails as well! Best of luck!

so can you clip them yourself or is that the best idea or what would be better?

Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:08 pm

can the rats have a vet cut there nails can you do it yourself? I NEED HELP!

Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:25 pm

rat king, read back through this topic for help. It's all here. Also see the RP Site Rules for posting guidelines.

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:28 pm

You can clip them yourself, yes. You can also ask the vet to do it. You can trim them yourself, file then down or try the other tricks people mention in this thread. Some people find that bricks or sandpaper perches work, others don't. Some trim the tips off the claws, others simply file down the sharp tip so it's blunt. It's personal choice really, and what you find works.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:13 pm

i think the file or the clippers might work best id probably prefer the file more than the clippers though

Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:18 pm

Ollie is so old. He's still going, but his back legs don't work the greatest anymore. He's pretty wobbly. He doesn't do much but lay around and eat. He's showing no signs of suffering of any sort, though. He just can't take care of himself well anymore. Which means that he doesn't help keep his back nails short.

For awhile now I've been trying to clip them myself but I really can't get anywhere. I can't just hold him to clip them because he freaks out to the point where I get badly bitten. I can't find any way to wrap him up in a towel so that his back feet are exposed and he either doesn't slip out or I'm not nearly suffocating him.

His nails are really starting to get bad and I really don't know what else to try to do to get his nails clipped. I just know that if I don't get something done soon, they're going to start causing him pain.

Does anybody have any suggestions? I'm at a loss.

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Winter and the ratties: Argos, Prometheus, Apollo, Orion, Napoleon, Montecore, Cornelius, Magnus, Dozer, Jesus, Ferdinand, Harlequin, Cambria, Ambellina, Raven, Hedwig, Momo, and Suzie.

Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:08 am

You could try to keep a rock in his cage with him to kind of wear them down but if he's older I'm not sure this would help...sorry, I wish I could offer more advice!

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*Oliver & Dodger*

Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:09 am

So can you just pick up any rock from outside? Or is that unsanitary, because we have wild mice in our yard?

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Nyssa and Goldenrod
Rest in peace Tony and Butternut
Sam --cat
Oscar --cat
Lucky --dog
too many fish

Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:14 am

I recommend buying a paver stone or something of the sort from Home Depot, or a gardening store. If the bottom is flat, then you can basically ensure that it won't go tumbling off of a shelf or get pushed on top of one of the ratties. Also, I think they're more likely to perch on a flat surface than one that's hard on their feet.

My girls have a small paver brick and enjoy sitting (and peeing) on it. Their nails, while not short, are manageable.

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Thu Sep 29, 2005 11:15 pm

I just wanted to say thanks to all who recommended the stone. I "borrowed" one from work, a big flat garden stone, and it has worked. It has only been about a week and I dont' look like a scratching post anymore!!! woot2

I love being able to let rattie feet run and climb all over me without crying and them feeling bad. I do have a question though. I have the rock under their water bottle so when the water goes under the rock and sits their it begins to smell and is making my cage bottom smell to the point of no return when i clean it. Any suggestions? And can you wash the smell out of the rock with anything? Thanks so much!!

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Mama's Boys Milo & Ben Ace & Jack

Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:14 am

Maybe soak it in bleach? That works for me. Or get a new water bottle.

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Rosie

* * *

I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:45 pm

I use baby finger nail clippers on my ratties ,if the vet isnt available(i tend to get nervous ima hurt the lil guys)

Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:09 am

	Ellie's_girl wrote:
	Maybe soak it in bleach? That works for me. Or get a new water bottle.

Be careful when you soak it in bleach because the ammonia from their urine will mix with the bleach and releases chlorine bleach. This causes brain damage, just be careful. Even if you don't notice it, the animals likely will. Probably best to just get a different bottle or put baking soda underneath the rock.

Sondra

Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:07 am

You guys should try getting one of the metal files if your rats keep trying to eat the others. They don't taste like anything but metal so rats won't chew on them... Just a thought...

-Marci

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Loving Arms Rattery (LOVE)

Home of the sweetest rats on earth!!!

http://www.freewebs.com/loving_arms_rattery/

Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:11 am

My rats don't have a stone to climb on, but they do have a wooden arch/tunnel type thing that they love to climb on. Will this do the trick, or should I make room for a stone?

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*~* April Violets *~*

Proud new mommy to Lucky and Rufus!

Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:23 am

It's really up to you - a lot of people use stones (particularly under the water bottle so they have to stand on it to drink) but just as many don't bother - I don't, I've never found it really effective. So it's really up to you. If you've found their nails tend to get overlong, then you might want to try it, but there's no real guarantee that it will work to keep them short/blunt. If they've already got a variety of things to climb on, and no real space, then it may be worth holding off and seeing if you feel it's necessary. In the past, I've used the perches that are rough stone (the ones designed for birds) and that has some effect on their nails... but you need to ensure that it's something they have to stand on, otherwise they may just avoid it. Nowadays, I'll just resort to clipping or filing them with a nailfile if they're getting overlong (and they usually aren't).

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~