I'm Getting Shredded

[Binky4075]

Has anyone ever cut their squirrels nails? I am getting shredded. I think he thinks I am a tree. He's not being mean just a squirrel but I am starting to look like a cutter. LOL :eek

[Zeemiles]

That's hilarious. I looked at my knees yesterday and thought the very same thing. Is clipping their nails similar to cat and dogs?

[Binky4075]

Zeemiles.....I have found that if I apply Neosporin right away to the scratches they heal very quickly and don't sting quite as much. I figured that if my baby squirrel, Jeffrey, is rooming with me this winter we need to do something to those nails! I didn't think painting them was an option. LOL :grin3

[CritterMom]

You need a squirrel suit. Mine consists of three long sleeved men's cotton t-shirts one on top of another and two pairs of fleece yoga pants. It is really nice in mid-summer!

Be careful if you clip - do one front and the diagonal rear, then a few weeks later the other two. You do not want them to be unable to climb - it is what a squirrel DOES. That is why I opt not to cut my guy's nails. That and the large group of people that would require.

[island rehabber]

Has anyone ever cut their squirrels nails? I am getting shredded. I think he thinks I am a tree.

To squirrels, we ARE trees. Warm trees. Warm trees that give out nuts and treats! This is why baby squirrels run up people's legs when they are orphaned and in distress.

[Binky4075]

My little guy is quite the snuggler. If I wear him out enough he will snuggle and I should be able to clip them. Thanks for the tip on cutting opposite paws? feet? I know part of the problem is I am usually warm so I just wear a tank top and capris. I'll let you know if I can achieve this great feat!

[MJS]

JUST A FEW THOUGHTS...FOR WHATEVER THEY'RE WORTH:
1. IT IS A RARE SQUIRREL WHO WILL WILLINGLY SIT STILL FOR A NAIL CLIPPING WITHOUT A BATTLE...OFTEN INVOLVING BLOOD (USUALLY YOURS)
2. SQUIRRELS AND TANK TOPS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS A BAD COMBINATION (UNLESS THE SQUIRREL IS SLEEPING)
3. THAT GOES FOR CAPRIS TOO (ALTHOUGH I'M JUST GUESSING HERE BECAUSE I'M A GUY, BUT THE HOLES IN MY JEANS SAY NO)
4. CRITTERMOM'S SQUIRREL SUIT SUGGESTION OR SOME VARIATION OF IT (ALMOST) ALWAYS WORKS WELL
5. CHECK OUT STOSH'S MASK (CAN'T LOCATE A PIC RIGHT NOW...MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE CAN) OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, IF NEEDED
6. ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!! REHABBER SLEEVES FOUND HERE http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?37850-Auntie-MM-s-Custom-Boutique BEST $ I EVER SPENT!!!
:grin3 :grin3 :grin3

[pappy1264]

Tell you what I did. I picked up one of those perches made for parrots to help grind down their nails (Peanut was not only scratching me up but getting caught on everything as well...and before you ask, his diet is great, he does not have MBD). Took two days in his cage and voila...no more scratching me to pieces and no more getting caught on stuff!!

[Missy]

I must say that i have had the same situation! Also my squirrel was getting her nails ripped off on things. I cut my squirrel's nails (just the very tips) and she still found it easy to climb but also wouldn't injure herself.



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[sdreamcatcher]

Tell you what I did. I picked up one of those perches made for parrots to help grind down their nails (Peanut was not only scratching me up but getting caught on everything as well...and before you ask, his diet is great, he does not have MBD). Took two days in his cage and voila...no more scratching me to pieces and no more getting caught on stuff!!

I have had problems with Chipper getting his nails caught on my flannel shirts -- i need to put one of those perches on my wish list. He doesn't have a cage (yet); my critter room is set up for him to be free range.

[ALittleNutty]

I was wondering if those sand perches worked. I usually take an emery board and just lightly rake it across the nails of my greys. I have also read about putting a rough, flat rock under food bowls will help wear them down. I have some old ceramic tiles with a rough surface that I am thinking of using in my flyers cage under their dishes. Easy to clean!

[Zeemiles]

I think that if you are going to clip then yeah just the very tips. I noticed Squeaks this weekend where almost clear on the tips. You don't want to get in the quick and have it bleed. If their nails are anything like dog or cat nails if you get the quick it will start bleeding and well he could bleed to death if you can't get it to stop. Not only that but it is quite painful. But I am not exactly sure about how the squirts nails are. I am also curious about the rotory filer that they have for dogs and cats as well to file them down.

[Binky4075]

I have 6 cats and used to have a rabbit so I am pretty good at clipping nails. I also have the powder to make it stop bleeding if necessary. I can honestly say I've only had to use it once. WHEW! Just want to take off the sharp tips. I may look into that perch for the future though.

[newsquirrelmommy]

Ive had my baby 14 months now and ive put together a squirrel suit, aka layered sweats and shirts, socks and slippers even in summer and i dont get scratched except for the unavoidable occasional face plant being he loves to lay on top of my head....lol. Ive tried in the past to clip just one nail and it didnt work and was too much stress on him. So i let his nails be and i just layer the clothing:grin3 I do however have a few fine grit sanding pads on the shelves he runs on, not sure if they work too much but he jumps on them so i think they do work.

[Garden71]

Tell you what I did. I picked up one of those perches made for parrots to help grind down their nails (Peanut was not only scratching me up but getting caught on everything as well...and before you ask, his diet is great, he does not have MBD). Took two days in his cage and voila...no more scratching me to pieces and no more getting caught on stuff!!

:goodpost
Going to get one for Nugget.

[pappy1264]

I was desperate, as Peanut kept getting stuck on everything, then he would panic (I tried to help him once...he bit me so bad and then was po'd for days after!) I put them in my flyers cages, so figured I would try it...after first day, they were better, but one or two still was 'catching', but not too bad. By the next day, no more catching, and now now more owwies from his zipping around me! (Now, the babies are another issue...maybe will get them one! lol) Make sure it is the thick one for parrots so they can actually stand on it.

[Duckman]

I have been clipping Rex's for almost a year and a half. I have to clip them about every 4 days, but he is use to it now. I only clip the clear part and have never clipped the quick (no blood). At first it was a struggle, but now he just kind of huffs and squints his eyes (in resignation) until I am finished (and then perks up because he knows a walnut is on the way as a treat). It hasn't limited his ability to climb everything in his cage, but I would recommend that you take out any long branches, if there are any in the cage. Your squirrel, won't be able to grasp that as normal, if you clip the nails.

[Bronson]

Stuart has a 120 grit sandpaper sheet under his food bowl, and another piece just outside of his nestbox. There is no way he can avoid it. It is a fine enough grit that it does not irritate his paws, but does a number on his claws.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

being shredded is part of it. I advise NOT to clip nails, it is selfish on your part. suppose your baby escapes? what is he gonna do then? they do escape. They need their nails to climb trees, without them they are SUNK.

get a long sleeved corderoy (sp?) shirt and wear long jeans.

Adults don't dig in their claws like babies do. When babies get older, they stop shredding as bad.....

tough it out. I have had 2 escapes so far, and I wasn't planning on them getting loose. it DOES happen.

[Duckman]

Adults don't dig in their claws like babies do. When babies get older, they stop shredding as bad.....

You have never had Rex climbing you! 2 lbs and he is ALWAYS using his nails! Edit - And with 18 tiny little nails that are sharper then a surgeons scalpel!




tough it out. I have had 2 escapes so far, and I wasn't planning on them getting loose. it DOES happen.

I would never allow Rex anywhere close to where he can escape. He is always 2 doors from the outside. He got away when he was about 12 weeks old, was missing for about an hour and I don't know who it scared more. He refused to come out of his cage for a week afterwards (and is the reason I keep 2 doors between him and the outside!). But I do agree with you, if they even have a chance of getting out, is best to suck it up and take the shredding. I just don't have enough blood in me!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

i think it is always best to be safe. I wasn't planning on losing 2 escapees either. sometimes bad things happen, and we need to think about the squirrels first.

[Binky4075]

I finally got the guts to clip Jeffrey's nails. Honestly he was great for the front ones. I haven't tried the back yet. I think that may be a whole other story. :grin2