Baby squirrel's nails

[Nayadarling]

My Eastern Gray is about 3 months old now, and his nails are becoming insane.. I understand with squirrels that you're gonna get a scratch or two, but I'm starting to look like a yeti every time I hold my baby. I've got like 3 layers on, plus a scarf. Is it okay to put like the nail filing bird perches in the cage, or will that cause him harm? Any suggestions, thoughts, information, products etc are more than welcome. Thank you!! :grin2

[island rehabber]

He needs things in his cage that will wear down his nails, like big, rough maple logs or even a nice flat rock he can run across.

One question: what is his diet like? Sometimes a lack of calcium, causing the onset of MBD, can first show up as extremely long nails that get caught in everything. Just asking. :)

[DarkLies212]

Sometimes a lack of calcium, causing the onset of MBD, can first show up as extremely long nails that get caught in everything. Just asking. :)


Not to thread jack, but my NR goes through period where his nails are like this twice a year. Standard diet - 2 HHBs, follows the healthy diet pyramid to a T, etc. When these periods come up, should we follow the MDB emergency protocol or just add more calcium to his diet?

[Nayadarling]

He needs things in his cage that will wear down his nails, like big, rough maple logs or even a nice flat rock he can run across.

One question: what is his diet like? Sometimes a lack of calcium, causing the onset of MBD, can first show up as extremely long nails that get caught in everything. Just asking. :)


Thanks for the response! They aren't abnormally long I don't think, I just didn't have anything for him to wear them down. He eats kaytee Rodent block with a varied assortment of veggies, nuts, and shelled sunflower seeds. I've got deer hooves and sticks and antlers and a cuttlebone for him to chew for calcium.