caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Apr 9, 2006 7:00:38 GMT -8
Hi All, I know I've asked this before, but I've just had Bonnie out for a play and I'm concerned her claws (especially her front ones) are getting too long. When she stood on my hand with her front paws her claws were just slightly bending to the side  and the very tips are curled a very little bit. Her back claws are also pretty long but not 'bending'. Daisy's are no way as long as Bonnies at all. Obviously, as she only digs against the glass, they are not getting worn down. I thought perhaps a small terracotta plant pot for her to dig in might help  instead of her digging at the glass. Any other ideas? bearing in mind the limited space in a tank and the fact that most things get buried with substrate  Thanks Caroline ;D |
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Post by AndreaS15 on Apr 9, 2006 11:19:18 GMT -8
The plant pot is a good idea.
I've never had nail problems with the gerbils. I have large cardboard tubes for them to chew & scratch at, some of my tanks also have a flat rock, I've heard of people putting in bricks (a bit to big i think).
Someone told me for dwarf hamsters you can put VERY fine grit sand paper on the wheel for a night to help with the nails. Never tried it yet though.
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caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Apr 9, 2006 12:03:33 GMT -8
Thanks Andrea ;D Sandpaper is a good idea - but my two don't have a wheel! (well, only in their playroom, and they've never stepped on it yet in 3 months!) I did (rather stupidly) think of putting a sheet of sandpaper in their tank, cut to fit on perhaps two of the shelves, but on second thoughts, they'd shred it and maybe injest it too so not a good idea I think! Also, I thought it might make the pads on their feet sore The girls have two cardboard chubes to dig in and munch on but I can't see how cardboard would help keep their claws trim. I also though of a piece of something rough like a roof tile ? But can't see how they'd actually 'walk' on it often enough as it would get buried! As gerbils love to go into things and 'dig' the terracotta pot is all I can think of at the mo that is not too smooth - anyone else got any other ideas? Caroline |
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Post by malabui on Apr 9, 2006 12:34:14 GMT -8
I have the same problem as you with my older gerbil Spree. I've ended up getting them clipped (at the same time as his teeth) at the Vets. I don't really think there is anything I can do to get them to naturally wear down as he has lots of woodshavings to dig in (well he does normally, but hes currently recovering from an operation) and toliet rolls and wooden toys and 2 floors lined with cardboard (more comfortable to walk on than metal bars)
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caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Apr 10, 2006 12:25:19 GMT -8
OK, purchased a small terracotta plant pot today for 45p Put it in the bottom of their tank laid on it's side, and yes, Bonnie went to investigate straight away! Trouble was, she decided to fill it completely with aspen and 'buried it!' Have now moved it higher in the tank and YEH! she's been digging in it!!!! ;D Could hear her little claws rapidly scraping away.... She seems to be quite taken with it actually! and within the few hours that it's been in the tank, she has spent some time digging and just sitting in it! - ah, bless her!!! As long as I can keep it from getting buried - it should serve it's purpose I hope!  Caroline Update:- She loves her pot and has been digging furiously and just sitting it in for about 3 hrs now! - sweet! Might have to get another one for Daisy now!..... |
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and the very tips are curled a very little bit. Her back claws are also pretty long but not 'bending'. Daisy's are no way as long as Bonnies at all.
instead of her digging at the glass. Any other ideas? bearing in mind the limited space in a tank and the fact that most things get buried with substrate 
