nasty hamster needs nails cutting

[red-devil0602]

My neice has been given a hamster which is very nasty, it's claws are really long i can cut them but any ideas on handeling him while i do it

 

[Bloo]

I've never ever heard of a hamster that needs it's nails to be clipped but then I suppose it could be a mutant and anything is possible
I would strongly advise not to attempt this yourself as you could seriously injure the little animal. If it's as vicious as you say it is, it shouldn't be handled by a child anyway (assuming your niece is a child) and should be rehomed or handled by a responsibly adult until it's tame enough to be handled by a younger person.

 

[Skylar]

Its not a mutation, unless a hamster scratches its nails on something, they do tend to grow long.

Do they curve around like crescent moons? If yes, they are quite too long.
In order to cut them (don't let your niece do this if the hamster is not tamed), get a small pair of nail clippers and gently cut them while holding the hamster(you may need help). In case you cut the 'quick', have some sort of powder, etc to stop the bleeding.



Sorry for the brief message but I have to leave.
Skylar.

 

[Stagette]

I agree with Skylar totally hamster nails can get too long if they don't have stuff to scrabble round on to shorten them and also it varies in hamsters aswell i think and a lot of people take them to the vets to get them cut but its quite easy to do yourself if you have the time and patience.

Like Skylar said if they are curling under then they are slightly getting too long. Your going to need a strong grip of the lil fellow especially if he's nasty so probably either scruff him (gently but firmly) or try and get a good grip round the middle and maybe invest in some strong gloves and another pair of hands to help. Once you get a good grip and hes calm you should be able to start. Your going to need either small animal claw clippers or a pair of baby scissors and my tip is only to take the very ends of each claw as that way you avoid cutting through the quick and if after a week they are still too long remove a little more as the quick will have receeded a little by then so will be safer to continue. If you do accidently cut through the quick don't panic just try and stay calm, apply a little bit of gentle pressure with a cotton wool pad and it should stop within a minute. I cut all my animals claws and with practice it gets easier But if at all your worried about doing it for the first time or the hammy proves too much to handle take him to see a vet as they will know how to handle the little critter if you can't

Goodluck

 

[red-devil0602]

Thanks for all the advice, my neice is 16, i'm trained in clipping dogs and cats etc just never a hamster so i'm not nervous about the cutting . the major problem is holding him without getting bit.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I know the type, I've got a nasty hamster My uncle gave her to us. Its not that dificult to cut then, they only need one cut. Does the cage have a wire lid? Maybe you could clip them a bit when its hanging upside down (like mine does).

 

[Stagette]

Thanks for all the advice, my neice is 16, i'm trained in clipping dogs and cats etc just never a hamster so i'm not nervous about the cutting . the major problem is holding him without getting bit.

Well the vet i work for uses gloves thick gardening gloves but the sort you can still grip with so not to drop any little critters An idea might be to get your neice to hold him and then you clip his claws should make the job easier

 

[Skylar]

I wouldn't cut the hamster's nails if it was hanging on the wire because it may get shocked and fall. It could easily injure itself, etc., etc.

If you are truely nervous, try asking your vet (if they do small animals) if he/she will do it and explain how.


HTH
Skylar

 

[RandomWiktor]

Actually, one of the safest ways to hold a fractious hamster if you need to meddle with its feet or belly would be to "scruff" it. We use it all the time in wildlife rehab with struggling baby squirrels who need IP injections. I don't mean the nape of the neck like a dog; you basically take your whole hand and draw up all the loose skin from the base of its neck down to nearly the end of its body. It pulls the skin taut and thus prevents it from moving its head to bite. It looks a little bad, but its very secure; you and the animal are both less likely to be harmed.

However, as others have said, see a vet if you are unsure. It would be better than harming the hammie or getting yourself bit.