Chewing it over...

[soc_puppet]

Socchan: *regards checking account*
Checking Account: *has actual money in it! gasp! and will soon have more! GASP!*
Socchan: *regards rats*
Rats: GIVE US MORE FOOD, HUMAN, AND PLAY LOTS WITH US, FOR WE ARE SWEET AND CUDDLY! 8DD
Socchan: ...I wonder if rats are less excitable after being fixed.
Rats: ...? 8D?

Also, anyone out there have any suggestions for keeping rodent nails short/otherwise non- or less-scratchy? Because the boys are being especially enthusiastic about face cleaning lately, and that's some sensitive skin that they're pawing all over, kthx.

This post brought to you by ADHD month (I swear, Conan is diagnosable) and the Peticure/Pedipaws ads I keep seeing/being spammed by. YES, ADVERTISERS, I DO WANT MY PETS' NAILS TO SCRATCH LESS, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY MEET YOUR SIZE REQUIREMENTS.

Edit: Current shorter nail options:
* Trim w/nail clipper (difficult)
* Get vet to trim (potentially expensive/need transport; how often needed?)
* Rough stone for climbing, placed strategically (easy to do, unsure how to find the right stone (support issues))
* Put together a dirt digging box and let them make a mess once a week or so (easy to do, hard to clean)

Comments

[inarticulate.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose rat nails can be trimmed the same way cats' and dogs' can…? Hmm. If that's not possible they'd need SOMETHING to wear them down and somehow I don't think scratching posts are really effective.

…uhhh…

[unhelpful]

[soc_puppet]

As my other two repliers have said, yes, you can trim rat nails in more or less the same manner as cats' or dogs' nails, but they squirm, and horribly so, so I have a horrible time trying to hold onto them while I try and get it done DD:

[vitani]

You can clip a rat's nails with a nail clipper. Or you can have a vet do it. Or you could put a pumice stone in the cage, but chances are they'll just chew on it instead of use their paws!

[soc_puppet]

Knew the nail clipper thing, but have trouble keeping them in one place for it; vets I imagine charge to trim nails, and I'd need transportation there anyway. I had heard things about putting in a rough stone in such a way that they'd have to climb it to, say, reach the water bottle, but I'm not sure where to find one of the right grade of roughness, and there are some minor weight support issues involved -_-a

[abarero]

Using nail clippers always does the trick for me. Be warned though, the little ratties will glare at you as if you've ruined them completely after doing this or act as if you've clipped off their entire paw and look so sad and pathetic you are forced to give them more treats. As long as you don't clip down too far, it doesn't harm them at all (despite what they might try to tell you otherwise) XD

[soc_puppet]

How do you get them to hold still, though? I've tried wrapping at least one of my boys in a hand towel while I work on his nails, and he just squirms right out DD:

At this rate, I may have to make up a digging box, mess be damned :/

[abarero]

I sometimes have to have my roommate hold them while I clip, sometimes I luck out and they'll sit still long enough.

[soc_puppet]

I see :x I guess I may have to ask Pat if she's up to the task sometime, then. Or just do what I usually do and completely skip the nail trimming altogether.