Chinchillas Information, Tips, Advice, Products

Question: A strange question about chinchillas and their nails...?

(Posted by: KRISTIN on 2010-03-08 14:44:31)

I have read that chinchillas need their nails clipped once in awhile, but I'm having a problem finding my chins nails, lol. It sounds funny, but I looked at all his fingers on every paw and see and feel no nails. Do some not have them or could his previous owner have removed them somehow, becuase they are serously not there, or just so small and smooth, I'm thinking its part of his pads. I've looked very closely too, so I'm not sure I can be just not seeing them. Can someone help with this question that specifically knows about chinchillas- not rats or hamsters or mice because I know tthey have nails and I have felt them and seen them before, but where are my chins nails? I know it sounds stupid too, but I am seriously wondering about this and need serious advice- I've done sooo much research on chins so I'm not an ignorant owner- yes, he is my first and I've only had him a few weeks, but I am well educated on my little guy:) Is it possible they're just so short I can't feel them? He is only about 3 1/ 2 months old- could tthat explain it somehow? Thanks... Yeah, he gets dust baths like 3 times a week now for about 10 minutes each times- it used to be more but I cut back. And no, I wasn't planning on clipping them every week- I'll just check them every so often to see if they need it, but that is if they grow. He's a violet (light grey) which I know isn't a natural color for them (I read its a mutant color- beautiful but unnatural)- anyway, maybe that could have something to do with him not growing nails:( if he doesn't.

Posted by: Matayeos on 2010-03-08, 15:33:12

Ok so the problem is you want to make sure there clipped if you cant see them or fell them then no problem also im pretty sure they dont need them clipped neither of mne have ever hads theres clipped in 3 years and i havent noticed anyproblems the nails are covered by over lapping fur and there very small and the same color as there skin so they are hard to find on some especialy tan and mosaic or white if you want to make sure there not too long get a lava ledge they climb on it and sit on it and in doing so they file down there nails they sell them almost every where and get the wide ones not the triangle onesunless oyu get 2 trainlge ones otherwise there too narrow

Posted by: divegirrl on 2010-03-08, 14:47:50

He could just not have grown them out, or could have a genetic defect that caused them to not develop. It's not a problem, and 1 week seems like too often to clip them anyway- just do it when they get long, if they do grow. (and make sure he gets dust baths, which I'm sure you know if you did research!)

Posted by: Bee D on 2010-03-08, 15:30:45

I have had my chinchillas for 19 years now, and not once have i cut there nail, yes they do have them but they grind them down ither by scratching them on wood est. it is unlikly your chinchilla will have nails at its age in time, they produces nail around 4 years of age maby 5, as in the wild they depend on their mother till about 5 years of age. hope i helped X