Some hamsters will need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis. Generally, dwarf hamsters especially Campbell’s and Winter White’s will need to be trimmed every few months.
Preventing Excessive Nail Growth At Home
For hamsters who have fast growing nails, having to trim them might be unavoidable. However you can reduce the need for nail trimming by having a lot of textured/gently abrasive items inside the enclosure. This allows the hamster’s nails to be naturally filed while running around the enclosure.
Note: Sandy track wheel accessories are not safe. They can cause burns and abrasions on the hamsters paws.
Cutting Hamster Nails
When it comes to trimming hamster nails, you can either opt to have them done by a vet tech (some might even do at-home visits) or do them yourself at home.
Having hamster nails cut at the vet
Pros:
- The vet/vet tech will have more experience and knows how to handle the hamster
Cons:
- Expensive
- Stressful for the hamster to have to travel to a new environment
- You have to find the right vet/tech who is experienced in handling hamsters
Trimming hamster nails yourself at home
Pros:
- More economical
- Can be less stressful for the hamster since they don’t have to make a trip to the vet
Cons:
- Unsafe/stressful for hamster if done incorrectly
What can you use to cut?
Note: Depending on where the nail cutter has been, you may want to sanitize the nail cutter first by baking/boiling it (if all metal) or wiping with alcohol and then rinsiing.
- All metal regular nail cutter
- All metal cuticle cutter
- Dog and cat nail clipper
Tips for cutting hamster nails at home
If you are thinking about trimming your hamster’s nails at home, keep in mind the following:
- It is important when cutting their nails to hold them over their enclosure, or sit on the floor above something soft. This way if the hamster squirms out of your hands, it will be a soft landing.
- There are 3 common ways to hold the hamster for trimming
- Gently hold them in your hand, tilt them facing up to access their nails.
- “Burrito Method”: Gently wrap the hamster in a cloth or fabric material except one leg, which will help stop them from squirming out of your hands.
- Scruffing: This method is not recommended as it can cause permanent eye damage. A veterinarian may do this when necessary but they are trained to do it carefully.
Avoiding the quick: The quick is a sensitive part of an animal’s nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into it is very painful and can lead to infections. When trimming their nails, make sure to avoid the quick by not cutting past where you can see the quick (which will be a subtle pink color).