Nail trimming active squirrel

[Jgirl]

I am probably going to have to sedate the squirrel. I she does not like to. Be touched. I what can I use as a mild sedation. I I don't know if exactly how much she weighs

[cava]

Are you trying to trim the nails on a squirrel you are rehabbing?

As much as I would pay big bucks to have trimmed squirrel nails:

1. they would kill me if I tried

2. they need those nails to hang upside down and climb

3. some have used other tips and tricks that don't involve sedation, like giving a treat through the bars and quickly getting some trims in while they lick the treat, etc.

I think you have to weigh a nail trim against the stress of restraining if she can't be touched, and giving meds without a weight.

[Paigeervin2700]

We trim our NR's nails. We've had him since he was 5 weeks old, and probably got his first trim at 9 or 10 weeks. He didn't have any any difficulties in climbing or hanging upside down after his trims. He was fine with it. One of us held him and the other trimmed the velociraptor talon off each digit. Our skin looks better too.

[Floppysquirrel04]

Don't trim his nails. There are ledges you can get at petco like lava ledges. They wear down their nails, like filing, or you can get a track for her wheel that files her nails as she runs (if you have a wheel). You might cut through her blood veins if you trim her, even if she is sedated

[astra]

I am probably going to have to sedate the squirrel. I she does not like to. Be touched. I what can I use as a mild sedation. I I don't know if exactly how much she weighs

only an experienced vet can sedate a squirrel. It is super important to have it right, otherwise it will be lethal. Squirrels are very sensitive to sedation.

While sometimes trimming nails is necessary, for a healthy active squirrel it should not be done. THey need nails to jump and climb well, without nails the risk of falling and injuries is high.
It is especially a "no" for squirrels to be released.
It's not good for healthy active non-releasable squirrels either - as NRs, they do not get nearly as much variety and level of physical activities as in the wild, so trimming their nails further reduces their activities and activity levels as they can't jump and grip as well. This can not only lead to emotional frustration, but plain cruel to an animal who is meant to run, jump and climb.

To avoid being scratched - wear thick clothes, sweatshirts, sweatpants. But generally, if you keep a squirrel - you need to be prepared to being scratched sometimes, it comes with the package. Same as, for example, if you have a dog, you have to deal with training/barking/getting up early to walk the dog etc - it just comes with the territory and it is humans who have to adjust and adapt, instead of adjusting and adapting the animal.

In addition to what's been mentioned, your squirrel should have lots of thick tree limbs and branches to climb and jump - climbing thick tree limbs and branches helps to file their nails and prevent or at least minimize scratching.
Get lots of tree limbs and create a little gym for your squirrel to play and climb. Just make sure it is safe trees and wash them well before giving them to your squirrel.

[Moo Moo's Mama]

I wanted to trim my baby's nails. However, I didn't want to hinder her in any way so, I refrained from doing so. Squirrel ' s are very smart, no matter what you've been told. MooMoo knows that her nails cut, scratch, and hurt bare skin. She has learned that if she jumps on bare skin, it hurts us. Now, she jumps almost solely on my clothes. Sometimes she forgets when she gets excited or sleepy but, mostly she remembers. Don't trim the nails. They learn and know that it hurts you and will try their best not to hurt you. This doesn't mean you won't get scratches. You will but, your baby will try it's best not to hurt you.

[Floppysquirrel04]

? Squirrels are one of the smartest pets I've ever had my flyer is very intelegent.