Clipping nails ?????

[Boomer]

I need advise clipping my Ferrets nails. I have only had her about 3 weeks.
Do I use normal people nail clippers? I was trying to use a small pair of
dog clippers. Problem is, every time I try to clip them she makes strange
sounds and I think I am hurting her. I have only got one nail clipped. She
gets so scared. Please help, her nails are sharp, and I love to get her out
to play.

Alley_Cat

[news.mindspring.com]

The only way I can cut Brooklyn's nails is in a bath. After the soap and
rinse, I cut all the nails with regular "people" toenail clippers.

The water really sedates her, and she doesn't fight it at all. I tried
every other way, but kept getting scratched beyond belief.

As far as how close to cut them, I look for the pink strip inside the nail
and don't get close to that.

Good Luck!!

[Melissa]

If you're very nervous, bring your ferret and whatever clippers you will
be using to a vet and let them show you how the first time.

I use "people" clippers because I feel like I can see what I'm doing
better. Make sure you don't clip the tiny red vein and you'll be fine. My
ferrets are used to this and don't put up much of a struggle. I kept
petting them and lying them down on their back in my lap over and over
again, talking gently and calmly the whole time. Then once they were a
little more still, i'd gently take one paw and clip a nail. If they tried
to get up, I'd lay them down again and start all over. It took a lot of
patience, and a lot of time. I never got angry or yelled at them, I just
calmly kept putting them back, over and over (and over and over and over)
again. Eventually they figured out that it didn't hurt and that they
weren't going anywhere until I was through! It took time but this worked
with all 3 of my ferrets. Sometimes, now they'll try to leave between the
front and back legs, but I just put them back, they sigh, and we continue!
;)

-Melissa

In article <6scbko$ef4$1...@camel25.mindspring.com>, "news.mindspring.com"

[Tullister]

The best thing that we have found is to use a smaller set of clippers,like the
type that you would use on a baby.One us holds and the other one cuts.But the
key here is to put a dab of Ferretvite on the back of each persons hand.They
are so busy with that,that they forget about us.Scuffing does not work well
with us as for one it only works on about 8 of them and for the fact that we
use scuffing when they are being bad.
Dan,owned by the,get the kitty,11.

[Michelle Magness]

Make sure that when you clip, you're not cutting through the vein that runs
through the nail. If you look closely, you can see the red vein coming out
of the pad, then it ends near the tip of the nail. When you clip them, make
sure you clip after the ending of the vein. Also the clippers you are using
could be bending the nail.....my advice is to go into a really good petshop
or vet and get a small pair of clippers. The ones we have are really small,
and they're the type that work kind of like a guillotine. You slide the nail
in frontwards, and squeeze the handles. The nail doesn't get bent at all,
and the ferret isn't in any pain. That coupled with some Linatone seems to
do the job perfectly.

Boomer wrote in message <6sc75f$hh8$1...@news0-alterdial.uu.net>...

[michala]

I was also advised to cut my first ferrets nails.... My second ferret I
choose not to start, and I have had no problems, it takes care of it
himself. but if you choose to cut the nails, buy a ferret clipper.
Please remember that this is my opinion, which means no silly or rude
comments.... the rest of you.
Boomer skrev i meddelelsen <6sc75f$hh8$1...@news0-alterdial.uu.net>...

[Rebecca J Rodgers]

Our three line up and anxiously await getting their nails trimmed! Yep,
they do! It takes two people. I use the clippers (scissor-like small ones
like used on cats birds), lay the fert on my lap - on his back- while my
helper slowly drips ferretone from an eyedropper into the fert's mouth. The
ferretone is so luscious that the guys don't even know they are getting
their nails trimmed! The other two usually stand close by and, if they are
not watched very closely, will "steal" drops while their brother gets his
nails cut....that's okay, they will probably get theirs stolen while they
are flat on their backs too!

I was told that the angle at which the nail is cut is also important, so
that the nail does not get caught on stuff. Have the vet show you (or a
groomer or pet shop employee who KNOWS - some do not). I have never cut into
the vein, but was told early on to have some styptic powder on hand just in
case, as it would bleed. Thank God I haven't experienced that. After the
first time or two it's not hard at all, really!

[Ron]

I heard once to place a piece of brick or sand paper under the food/water
dish to help keep the nails under control. I don't know if this works or
not. We use 2 people, ferret clippers, and a small spoonful of peanut
butter. Neither of them mind. Rosco nails will split and get caught if we
don't keep them trimmed.

Charmaine :-) and her halo heads, Mitzi Mouse and Rosco the Rat

michala wrote in message <6sjm71$fc8$1...@dalen.get2net.dk>...
>I choose not to start, and I have had no problems. but if you choose to cut

the nails, buy a ferret clipper.
>

>Boomer skrev i meddelelsen <6sc75f$hh8$1...@news0-alterdial.uu.net>...

>>I need advise clipping my Ferrets nails. Please help, her nails are