My girly has a litter which is now 9 days old. Whilst I was cuddling the pups today they were scratching my arm, so I guess they must start to be scratching my girlies tummy, though she's not yet sore. What age do you do the first clip?

I'm going to try to do them whilst sleeping (ha!), as they're still quite wriggly, and plan to use nail clippers.

Start after the first week, then weekly after that. Just take the tips off.

ditto for me.

At a week old, and I use ordinary human nail clippers too.  I just take the little hooks off each week.

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether to start now was a bit too early, but they were really scratchy.

Any tips!! As said, they are VERY wriggly when held still.

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether to start now if it was a bit too early, but they were really scratchy.

Any tips!! As said, they are VERY wriggly when held still.

4 or 5 days, then weekly.

Hi

I always found it easiest for one person to hold pup in their upturned hand with their legs dangling down, and I held one paw at a time and just snipped the ends off. The nails are very soft to start with, so be careful! The more you do it, the quicker you get...

> As said, they are VERY wriggly when held still

:-)  :-)  Fun isn't it!

I agree that your best bet is when they are sleepy.  Trouble is, at this age, you're pretty sleepy too!  :-)

Keeps you out of mischief though!!

Trouble is, at this age, you're pretty sleepy too!

I was wondering whether it was just me completely shattered, and I haven't even had babies!  It is fun, and I guess it's going to get even funner, specially when I attempt the claws this morning!! Sleepy it'll have to be as got no one else to hold pups.

I cut nails after they've fed and have full tummies, again from a week old and then at least twice a week.

Good idea, full tums and sleepy ... will go and find nail clippers NOW :-)

I managed to get my girl's done on Saturday, mum had gone into the garden for a mooch around and a wee, puppy was sleeping peacefully, so I galloped upstairs and grabbed the nail clippers! Nails are my least favourite job as a groomer, so doing them on a week old toy puppy is terrifying, but I managed with the last litter and so far all is well. Didn't bother with the back feet yet though!

Yes, I was just thinking of doing the front feet to start off with. Build up to the back ones!

Yes, 2 paws that tiny are quite enough for my nerves! :-D

I used these nail clippers, http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Nail-Clippers-for-cats/productinfo/131410/they are supposed to be for cats but I find the small size makes it much easier to clip tiny puppy claws which are dwarfed by normal size clippers.

ha ha i found the back ones easier while puppies aredrinking and front while they are sleeping

day 3 usually

I find the easiest way to clip nails on pups is when they are asleep.

Are the hyperdrug clippers really, really sharp? Am thinking I might find these a bit easier as I am very kacky handed!!

yes, and I find them really easy to use. the finger loops make them easy to grip without dropping them.

Thanks. Have got an order for some other bits and pieces, so will add those to my list :-)

> Are the hyperdrug clippers really, really sharp

I really can't get on with the enclosed type - takes far too much off, perhaps because I have a tiny breed.  They would cause far too much blood loss!!

It's human nail clippers for me, and human toe nail clippers when they are older.

Yes, human nail clippers for puppies, and then the open type of doggy ones for adults. I hate the guillotine type!

I think I need to go to SpecSavers ... as the advert goes! How do you lot with toy breeds clip nails at under 2 weeks?!  Wow, but I've done it ... over 2 days. I had a headache afterwards, concentration and trying to see the little blighters. Trouble is now I think I need to emery board them off for a proper job. Thanks for all your comments, the human nail clippers worked a treat - once I could see the nails :-)

I tried to do the back claws whilst pups at the milk bar, but they seem to be a little bit ticklish!!

> How do you lot with toy breeds clip nails at under 2 weeks?! 

I'm laughing at that.  Until I made the decision to stop, I always had my vet remove dew claws on Chi babies (before 3 days old.)

I wouldn't let a vet nurse assist, I always had to be there myself.  I don't know if you've ever seen the paw of a newborn Chihuahua, but how the hell I straightened the leg out to expose the dew claw is beyond me.

I have to admit that I was always very impressed at the vets eyesight!  :-)

I did my 3 week old HV pups for the first time last night - I had an assistant so it was quite simple! My girl absolutely hates her nails being done so she hid in the hallway for the duration!! 160 nails later she returned.....

> I did my 3 week old HV pups for the first time last night

First time at 3 weeks of age?