Toenail concerns

[eleda]

I think Data's toenails might be getting too long, They're pretty hook-shaped, especially one on his front paw. I already have a terracotta flowerpot in the tank, but I guess they dont scratch at it much. I've heard of putting down sandpaper for them to walk on, or a brick/rock. But when I had a brick in in the past they pretty much just ignored it and buried it. can anyone think of anything else I can try? if I could get terracotta in a tube shape it might be ideal, but I don't know if such a thing exists. I know we don't have any at the craft store where I work.

Also, has anyone ever trimmed their gerbil's nails? That front claw might need intervention from me, but I'd like some advice anyway. Would regular toenail clippers work? I'm a smidge worried they might crush the nail. also, any advice on how to handle the gerbil for nail-cutting? Data is only part tame so it will be tricky to do any sort of "procedure" on him.

[rennmaus]

I recommend this: www.amazon.co.uk/Kaytee-Was-Superpet-Lava-Ledge/dp/B00176F466, and also lots of wooden bridges/toys - in combination these things made a difference to my gerbils' nails.

I also tend to put a small sheet of sandpaper in their playpen. This way they can run around on it while I supervise them to ensure they don't start chewing it.

A few weeks after I first got my gerbils, I took them to the vet for a check-up. The vet suggested the sandpaper idea (I think even she was not very keen on trying to cut a gerbil's nails).

[eleda]

thanks! I'd forgotten about lava ledges. that might do the trick - I've also turned the flowerpot upside down in hopes he'll climb on it, but so far he's only done it once.

[linkasaurus]

I had a lava ledge for an incredibly long time and my girls didn't touch it more than once.
I gave them a terracotta pot, which they seemed to get bored of pretty quickly.
What did work to trim their nails down however, was a piggy bank I got from a dollar store.
I'm not exactly sure what it's made out of, but it's one of those DIY piggy banks where you're supposed to paint it yourself. The texture is very rough feeling, so it definitely hasnt been glazed or anything, just formed and baked I'm pretty sure.
My girls love it!
They crawl inside and scratch it up all over, it's getting so warn out.
If you could find something similar I'd definitely recommend it. Their nails have been much less threatening since.