Post
by [cub] » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:24 pm
I've got various rough surfaces in my cage, including very rough concrete perches, and I don't think they do anything for sharp claws. In normal use, rats' claws just don't have enough of the right sort of contact with them for them to do much. So I just clip their claws myself, using a normal set of nail clippers. I've now got my older rats accustomed to busying themselves with a treat while I give them their pedicures, and the younger rats are (slowly) learning to do the same. It takes a lot of patience and persistence to begin with, but it's not as hard as it looks provided you do it in a well-lit environment. Having a good working relationship with the rat in question helps a lot, so if your boys are still getting used to you I'd focus on getting them used to being handled and restrained first (e.g. for health checks).
Poo-shoveller to: Calyn, Din, and Zephyr Mick Jagger (Edgeworth).
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Donovan (Phoenix) the big dope, Xeltan, Lita (NLA32), Lia (NLA28), Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28), Falere (NLA36), Mirala (NLA36), Zephyr Opold, and Rila.