Nails are too long!

[Whizz]

I need some ideas and advice on how to shorten my little devils' nails. If I don't deal with them soon, they'll get to the stage where they cause the actual Degu pain.

It's already passed the stage where they end up hurting each other - because Luigi and Gus were boxing earlier (nothing big, just normal boxing) and Luigi's nails are obviously a bit longer and he managed to scratch Gus on the neck. Gus bled a little, so I took him out for some cuddles and cleaned the wound up - it's only a small little flesh wound and he's okay. I checked Luigi and he's fine - both are back in the cage safe and sound - Luigi is really giving Gus' lots of kisses and cuddles as if to say "I'm so sorry for hurting you! I really didn't mean to!" Bless him. They're cuddling and getting on so it was obviously an accident.

I thought about putting some sand paper on their wheel (I have two, so I'd only put it on one) so that it gradually files the nails down. Does that sound alright? They've had longish nails before but have always managed to file them down themselves.
If anyone has any other ideas - I'm open to them.

[squeakyandbubbles]

Like you said, put some sand paper on one of their wheels
Don't leave it in for too long though, a couple of days should file their claws down properly

[Ady]

I never had this problem but there was thread about this recently on forum and someone advice the owner not to use sand paper as degu would chew their nails off themself when it got too long.

[Maravilla]

I have the problem of too long nails with one of my degus, her nails of the hind paws are too long and there is no natural way to shorten them. If you have no experience in cutting degu nails (or nails of any other small animals) I strongly recommend you to ask a vet to show you how to cut them and then you can do it alone. It's not only about hurting the animal if you cut them too short (it's hard to see the flood vessels) and possible infections but also that bad experiences resulting from pain can make further treatments almost impossible. Degus don't forget bad experiences!!
Cutting nails is no sorcery, but really ask an experienced person before you do it for the first time alone.

[marracraighead]

I saw a post a few back not sure the thread where they used grip paper from a skateboard and it was effective and left it in for long periods but because on the grit on the paper it doesn't wear them down as fast
Just thought I would weigh in I will try to find the post