How can I tell how short to clip my guinea pig's nails without making her bleed?

Both molly and E have the right answers.





If the nails bleed when you clip them you are cutting them too short and that does hurt.


Someone said to use an Emory board and that is a good suggestion, although slow. and the pig may not hold still for the sanding so you may still want to clip it. If you cannot see the quick like in a dark or black nail then just take off a little at a time. (a very little)


As the nail grows so does the quick, if you can keep the nail short the quick will also remain short.





The below link is for dogs but the principle is the same.How can I tell how short to clip my guinea pig's nails without making her bleed?
Thank you

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How can I tell how short to clip my guinea pig's nails without making her bleed?
Just to be on the safe side have a styptic stick or styptic powder in your the first aid kit for your piggy. If applied to a minor bleed like a cut quick it'll stop the bleeding pretty fast. Almost all of us that groom our own pets and most certainly the assistants at the vets office will sooner or later cut a quick. It's scary, but not life-threatening.
You cut off the white nail don't go beyond it though
bring it to the vet, and they can show you exactly how to do it.
Instead of clipping just use an emery board to file them down. That way you don't have to worry about clipping too short. This works great for small dogs and cats too. I would use the fine side of the emery board rather than the coarse side.
Use corn starch instead of styptic powder...it's a lot cheaper and clots as well.
Groomers?
If their nails are clear, you'll be able to see the quick- a darker area in the center. Cutting the quick is what makes them bleed. If you can't see it, just stay close to the tips- a little trim at a time. Investing in a pair of scissors meant for piggies' nails isn't a bad idea either.