You should trim your ferret’s nails at least once a month, but twice is probably better. When your ferret’s nails get too long, they get caught in their toys, cage and can rip or “shred”. This is very painful for your little guy. Ontop of that, trimming will keep their nails healthy and strong.
You’ll need “cat clippers”, these are scissor style with a notch at the bottom of the blade. DO NOT use human clippers, these actually pinch the nail and can actually crush it if its not sharp enough.
Keep Styptic powder or gell handy, because we aren’t perfect, and we may need to stop bleeding if we cut too far.
Also you’ll need a distraction, because as you know, your ferrets cannot hold still. I use FerreTone or
FerretVite. They are both like ‘crack’ to ferrets and they will hold still as long as you are feeding them with these.
Look at the nail — notice the small red line (called the quick). You want to cut about 1/8″ above that. Cut the nail so that when your ferret’s foot is on the floor, the edge will be parallel to the floor.
If you can’t get your little guy to calm down to get his nails cut, cut a few nails at a time once a day until you get them all. Also try to do it when the little guy is sleeping or just waking up. I’ve talked to people who will wrap their ferret in a towel with his head and one paw sticking out.
Do you have any other ways that you clip your ferret’s nails? Let us know in the comment section below!
November 19, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I usually use the ferrotone idea or pepperonis, my little guys really like them
January 21, 2011 at 11:16 am
Ferretone or whatever liquid/gel vitamins your ferret likes can be a limb saver! Smear a little on their bellies and they’ll be so busy licking it off (a.) ferretone! b.) ferrets hating having ‘stuff’ on their fur) that you can usually get at least two full paws done before they try to squirm away again. If I don’t get through all 20 toes in one sitting, I just finish the next day the same way.