Guinea Pigs toe-nails/smelly cage

[ChirpyKez]

Is it possible to trim Guinea Pigs toe-nails yourself or do they need to be done by a vet? I know this is an odd question, just wondered as my 2 pigs could do with a trim and they are not registered with a vet as yet so I wondered if it was something I could just do myself? Any advice would be great.
Also.....how can I stop their cage from smelly so strong? I clean them frequently but they really do pong!

[weamdebest]

You can trim the nails yourself: http://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

Have you thought about getting them a litter tray? When I was a youngster I had hamsters and I trained them to do their poopydoops and wee wees in a box in the corner of their cage. I think GPs are similar, do they favour one corner for their calls of nature? If you keep collecting up all the smelly bits and put them in a tray in that corner they will learn to always do it there and you can just empty that daily.

[ChirpyKez]

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

[garner]

I have two g/pigs but I have their nails cut by the vet,I would be afraid of cutting to far down[they can bleed alot] its not dear and only is done every year.Good luck in what you decide..g

[garner]

Forgot to mention I clean Iggy and Wiggy out once a week and they do not smell unduly.Do you give them plenty of veg and celery ect as well as guinea food?. g

[bensmum]

I usually cut my guinea pig's nails myself. You need proper clippers and need to be sure of where you are cutting. If your guinea pigs have transparent nails it is easier as you can see the little blood vessel. If their nails are dark it might be better to get a vet to do them, or at least show you how to do it.
As far as smelling goes I always remove any soiled material each morning then again in the evening when I replace the hay completely. I clean him out completely twice a week but I admit to being a bit neurotic as one of my pigs had fly-strike one year and since then I am very careful.

[ChirpyKez]

What's 'fly-strike'? I have no idea!
I feed my 2 {del and rodney} mostly carrots and spring greens - do they eat celery?! I hate that stuff!

[Jugglering]

Fly strike is awful, not just for you and your wee critter but also for the vet who has to sort it out ....

http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/herbivores/healt h/flystrike.php

[garner]

Mine adore celery chirpyKez they also love broccoli, chickweed and are mad on dandilion so you have plenty to go at and their urine might not be as strong. g

[bensmum]

Fly-strike happens usually in warm summer weather and is more common in rabbits. It is caused when flies lay their eggs in the faeces which can mean that if the rabbit or guinea gig has a dirty bottom the eggs get can laid there. When the eggs hatch the maggots can eat into the tissue of the "host". Sorry, it is horrible but if you keep your pets outside you need to be aware of this during warm weather. I just keep the cage and bedding clean and inspect the pig's bottom daily and use special wipes on him. Of course if your pets are kept indoors it's not so much of a problem.

[ChirpyKez]

Thanks for all your advice - I'm gonna try my boys on celery {although I can't bare the smell!} and maybe broccoli...that's a weird one!
They live inside and they go out in a huge run when it's nice weather so I'll keep a closer eye on them. I might have a crack at their toes although their not the friendliest of pigs so they will probably go mad!!