Do guinea pigs need nail trims? How to avoid the quick

Short answer: yes. Indoor guinea pigs wear their nails down very little, so trim every 3–4 weeks, cutting only the clear tip in front of the quick.

1. Why trim — overgrown nails curl, affecting posture and walking and adding pressure on the feet.

2. What you need — small-animal nail clippers, a towel, a flashlight and styptic powder on hand.

3. Find the quick — on light nails the pink quick is visible; on dark nails shine a flashlight from behind.

4. How to cut — wrap gently in a towel for stability and take just 1–2 mm at a time; little and often is safer.

5. If you nick the quick — press styptic powder on for several seconds and keep the area clean; see a vet if bleeding continues.

6. Work as a pair — one person holds, one trims; finish with a favourite vegetable to build a positive routine.

👉 Watch the video: https://youtu.be/9YrLoUh-VzQ