Ingenious ways to keep nails short?

[gdopmop]

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has any snazzy ways to keep their gerbil's nails trim please? I've just popped up a little note about our gerbil Frankie yet have a second/separate question please...

She had her nails trimmed by the vet at the animal hospital back at the end of Feb and they're already super long/curling! She's far too much of a lively bean for us to cut them ourselves (the vet didn't believe that she'd need sedation to do it until he cut her to the quick several times and ended up being bitten...can't blame her, I felt so bad for her!).

She's already got a coconut and wooden toys/ramps in her home and even has a special gnaw and file tree (that she's merrily ignoring). Does anyone have any other tricks or ideas please? 

Thanks so much for your help. 

[thejettgerbil]

Thats tricky! Jett’s never had his nails clipped, but something that has really helped with him is rocks.
I put them by his water bottle so he has to walk on them to get water, I make them into a little ramp for him to get to his favorite spot. His nails have kept pretty short

Good luck!

[gdopmop]

Ooh, thank you, rocks are a wonderful idea! Only a few of our gerbils have ever needed nail trims - funny really when they've all had such similar living environments. I just can't believe how quickly they've shot back up, if only her nail growth formula could be packaged into a human pill, we'd make a fortune! 

[jal]

Kaytee Lava Ledges might help. If you have a topper you could fit it just under the water or just place it in the tank somewhere they walk regularly. They are made of pumice stone.
www.amazon.co.uk/Kaytee-Chinchilla-Ledge-Assorted-Colours/dp/B00176F466

[gdopmop]

That's also a great idea, thanks so much for the link Jal!