Overgrown nails

[HamstersAreMyLife]

Froggy’s nails are very overgrown and one of them is even curling in!!
He isn’t super tame though he lets me pet him.
I put the top of his terracotta type ceramic hideout next to his wheel so he has to walk on it multiple times at night.
What else can I do?
Should he see a vet?
Thank you!

https://ibb.co/m5FFXr8
https://ibb.co/nwctvj4

[hamsworth]

I'd like to know too if anyone does. My hammy's big toe nail is also looking long.

[ForgetfulBreeze]

I just cut my dwarf's nails!!

First, you need to be good at scruffing. Scruffing is mandatory.

I used baby nail clippers with a longer handle. Such as the one down below.

My dwarf Flower had only one long nail. 2 people make this extremely easy. My dad held the clippers and I scruffed Flower. We did a few "practice" rounds over a day or two, so my dad and I could get a feel. Don't rush it--your hamster can wait a few days. It's better than cutting too much.

I scruffed and my dad cut.

If you cut too much nail, and it bleeds a bit (cutting to the quick), just have some corn starch available to stop the bleeding. Just take your time!

In the mean time, rocks, sand, terracotta pots, or rough surfaces will temporarily trim them or keep them at the same length!

Since Froggy isn't super tame, it's really a good thing to make sure you can scruff him as a back up. I personally believe that scruffing should be a skill for all hamsters (to check their belly, teeth, Paws, etc).

Hope this helps!

[HamstersAreMyLife]

I just cut my dwarf's nails!!

First, you need to be good at scruffing. Scruffing is mandatory.

I used baby nail clippers with a longer handle. Such as the one down below.

My dwarf Flower had only one long nail. 2 people make this extremely easy. My dad held the clippers and I scruffed Flower. We did a few "practice" rounds over a day or two, so my dad and I could get a feel. Don't rush it--your hamster can wait a few days. It's better than cutting too much.

I scruffed and my dad cut.

If you cut too much nail, and it bleeds a bit (cutting to the quick), just have some corn starch available to stop the bleeding. Just take your time!

In the mean time, rocks, sand, terracotta pots, or rough surfaces will temporarily trim them or keep them at the same length!

Since Froggy isn't super tame, it's really a good thing to make sure you can scruff him as a back up. I personally believe that scruffing should be a skill for all hamsters (to check their belly, teeth, Paws, etc).

Hope this helps!

Thank you! I will have to see if he lets me scruff him.