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Snip and Clip - Trimming Your Ferret's Claws

© Pam McInnis

Imagine taking something that is a quick and boundless ball of energy, getting it to stay still, and then clipping the tiny sharp objects at the end of its feet. Sound like fun?

With ferrets in your life, you should be doing this roughly once every 10 days. Your ferret will need to have his claws trimmed regularly in order to stay happy, healthy and saf.e. Ferrets who do not have their claws trimmed regularly run the risk of getting snagged on carpets, bedding, couches, etc. If a ferret’s claw gets caught, he’ll panic and do whatever he can to get free, including managing to rip the claw right out of its pad. Regular trims will keep your ferret from experiencing such a trauma.

A Few Points

* Each ferret is an individual, and their claws grow at different rates. While the average is ten days, some ferrets may need a clipping once a week and others may go two weeks or more between clips.

* The claws on the front feet generally grow faster than the ones on the back feet.

Many ferret owners fly solo for the clipping ritual, while others prefer to have a helper on hand. I recommend, at least for the first time or two, that you have a spouse, friend or family member serve as your assistant. You’ll also need clippers (some ferret owners prefer cat clippers while others opt for baby nail clippers) and a tube of syptic powder in case you cut the claw too close. A liquid treat such as Ferretone also keeps things running smoothly.

My husband and I have found that the following method works best for us:

1. One of us holds the ferret on our lap and flips him gently over onto his back.

2. We squirt a bit of Ferretone directly onto his belly. Ferretone is a liquid vitamin supplement for ferrets, and most of them love the stuff. When the cold liquid hits the ferret’s stomach, he usually wriggles and squirms a bit in a momentary fit of confusion. But as soon as he figures out what that cold stuff is, his full attention turns to licking away at the treat.

3. While the ferret is enjoying his snack, the person not holding the ferret takes the clippers and goes to work. Usually, we’re finished clipping long before the ferret is done getting every last drop of Ferretone from his belly. He never knows what hit him.