The Easy Way to Cut Your Ferret's Toenails

Step 2 Get your cutting tools ready!

In order to cut your ferret's nails you will need a pair of nail clippers. The small "cat" clippers shown are the easiest to use because they cut the nail from the side. Using dog-style guillotine clippers causes the nail to splinter at the ends and often makes it too difficult to not cut into the quick (the pink part that bleeds all over if you cut it). Some people use human toenail clippers, but I find they are awkward when holding a ferret and cutting from the side. Small cat clippers are the tool of choice.

You'll see some stypic powder next to the clippers on a paper towel. If you are not sure of your ability to cut your ferret's nails, keep this around in case you do hit the quick. It will stop bleeding almost immediately. Corn starch can also stop bleeding, although not as quickly, should you need it.

Comments

[ferretlady]

I know a lot of people use these cat clippers, but i greatly prefer using flat-edged human toenail clippers. I feel it's easier to get the correct cutting angle, and would be impossible to take off a toe if the ferret thrashed. But whatever works!

[lbaran]

Not me, small cat clippers are my preference. When we have over 400 toenails to cut, we can accurately and quickly cut the nail without needing to concentrate on getting the pressure for the human-type correct. The scissor type movement of my hand is also much easier on my wrists than the human style which requires some up/down pressure. Everyone has their own preference. Just from experience I find that human-style nail clippers leave more jagged edges. The cat clippers tend to make a smoother cut, so you don't need to buff them (unless you're showing). When we have 30+ ferrets to do, I find the cat style is really fast (once you get confident and have some practice). Usually it takes about 20 minutes to do 30 ferrets, but with us speed is a necessity.

[ferretlady]

Yes, the human clippers have to be sharp, or they do break the nail more, but for me, the motion is much more comfortable than the scissors. TETO!