Nails
Guinea pigs have four toes on their front feet, and only three toes on the back feet. Each toe has a toenail that grows continuously.
Just like most pets, a guinea pig’s nails must be trimmed regularly. You can use a nail clipper made especially for small animals. I check my guinea pig's nails every day and I trim it's nails about every two months.
When you clip the nails, you have to be careful not to cut into the “quick” (the pink area inside the nails that carries the blood to the nail). If your cavy has white nails, it’s easy to see the quick, but it’s really hard if your guinea pig has black nails. You might be able to see it if you have a strong light behind the nail. Keep styptic powder on hand in case you cut the quick to stop the bleeding. Be sure to check with your vet to learn how to trim the nails correctly.
If the nails are neglected and allowed to grow without trimming, the nails can curl and grow into the foot, or at least make it difficult for your guinea to move properly. They can also get caught on something and cause your pig to bleed or break a bone. Here are some pictures of poor little piggies whose nails are overgrown.
Guinea pigs have four toes on their front feet, and only three toes on the back feet. Each toe has a toenail that grows continuously.
Just like most pets, a guinea pig’s nails must be trimmed regularly. You can use a nail clipper made especially for small animals. I check my guinea pig's nails every day and I trim it's nails about every two months.
When you clip the nails, you have to be careful not to cut into the “quick” (the pink area inside the nails that carries the blood to the nail). If your cavy has white nails, it’s easy to see the quick, but it’s really hard if your guinea pig has black nails. You might be able to see it if you have a strong light behind the nail. Keep styptic powder on hand in case you cut the quick to stop the bleeding. Be sure to check with your vet to learn how to trim the nails correctly.
If the nails are neglected and allowed to grow without trimming, the nails can curl and grow into the foot, or at least make it difficult for your guinea to move properly. They can also get caught on something and cause your pig to bleed or break a bone. Here are some pictures of poor little piggies whose nails are overgrown.
