Nail biting?

[shilohismygirl]

I have seen Fiddler do this off and on his whole stay with us, so a year plus. I used to think that it was because he thought his nails were too long, so now I am cutting them to where they are barely above the quick and keeping them like that so that he doesn't bite them. He's started biting them again! Do any of yours do this and have you ever heard of a ferret doing this or why they might be doing it? His nails are already quite short-I really can't cut them again! Also, I keep them smoothed if there are jagged edges so as not to entice him to bite them.

[Sherry]

Not my ferrts, but one of my cats does this regularly. I think it's a need to self groom. Claws are part of the grooming process, so they include them, even though we've already done them.

[Heather]

If you're cutting up to the quick you're probably cutting too short but that's not his issue. My suggestion is to cut them a bit longer and allow him the privilege to groom. I don't cut my cats toenails they cut them on their own
ciao

[shilohismygirl]

Ok, I kept thinking that they were too long for his tastes and that he wanted to make them shorter. I'll just let them grow out a bit, and if he wants to bite them, I guess he will bite them. As long as there is nothing wrong with him doing it then that sounds fine. The others don't do this, and I don't keep their nails as short as Fiddler's. Thanks, guys!

[crazylady]

Hi can I ask if there are any flakey bits on the nail ? sometimes they try and replenish calcium by nibbling on nails give him a bit extra bonemeal and rub a little olive oil into the nails to prevent splitting take care bye for now Bev
crazy lady

[shilohismygirl]

There aren't any weird flakey bits on there. Olive oil on nails sounds like a good plan-I have been feeding them a lot of bone lately, because their poops always look better and are better formed when they get enough bone. He seems to only do it when he's grooming or I am grooming him.

[shooper]

My lab/chow does this! To hear her, you would think that she is crunching her foot off. I never trim her nails cause she keeps all of them short. I was told that this is just her preference and not to worry about it!

[katt]

For nail strength and to prevent splitting, velvet antler is very good if you can convince them to eat it.

[shilohismygirl]

I'll have to look for some at my local health food store. That would be a good little supplement.