Calm him down so I can trim his nails?

[aquiel]

I've only had Basil a little over a week, and his nails were quite long when I got him. I'd really like to trim them, but no matter what I do I can't calm him down long enough to get him to hold still so I can do it. Even scruffing him doesn't work; he just yawns and squirms all over the place. He's my first ever ferret so any advice would he appreciated!

[raven]

Does he like salmon oil? I carefully put some on my ferrets belly and they are so busy lapping at that I can clip all their nails with ease. I say carefully because they kinda freak out at first but once they realize it nummies they are totally distracted.

Getting them while sleeping has worked a little for me as well before I got them to like salmon oil.

[Sherry]

I just use a favourite oil on the tummy. While they are busy licking it off, I clip all their nails Here is a good video of doing nails

[raynebc]

If you have somebody that can help you (one person scruff while the other clips), it is a lot easier than clipping the nails by yourself.

[unclejoe]

That is a good video. I have a hard time manipulating human nail clippers so I use one designed for kats that's more like a scissors.

[Sparrow]

I clip Taz's nails while he's asleep, because awake he's not letting you do anything, lol!

[Blue]

I've just given up trying to do it myself. They'll do it at the vet for $13. It takes two techs to do it, and she still wriggles!

If you are cutting them yourself, a very useful thing to have on hand is styptic powder. It stops the bleeding if you accidentally cut the nail to the quick (the little red vein you see inside the nail). Yes, I did manage to do that. Hence the vet visits. We call it Maisie's monthly mani-pedi.

[Sherry]

If you don't have styptic powder on hand, cornstarch or flour works almost as well. Just dip the cut nail into it. Yes, I've done it as well.