Not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but I had some questions about nail trimming. I got my newest glider about 2 weeks ago and her nails are just atrocious. She's already pretty terrified, since she is in a new home, so I am reluctant to trim her nails myself lest I traumatize her. I haven't had any luck finding trim tracks either. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can trim her nails myself without traumatizing her? Or does anyone have any links to cheap tracks that I could purchase. I'm a college student on a budget, so cheaper the better. I will buy more expensive tracks if it is the only option. Thanks!

What I do is put the glider in the pouch, then when they're all settled and bundled up, pull out a foot at a time and trim away! :) Watch out for them pulling back. You can also try to distract them with a treat.

What kind of clippers do you use if I may ask?

Oh, I use regular human nail clippers, turned sideways is best because of their nails being flat. Dog/cat nail clippers are more meant for round nails.

Thank you much. I shall try it in the morning (she is too awake to do it now)

You're welcome! :) Molly had never had her nails trimmed before coming to me at two years of age, but she did really well with it. I don't know how others will react, but I hope it's not too challenging. :) If you can't do it on your own/need another hand, you can always have someone else help hold her. :)

Some folks trim like A.Fenton4-H does

Some folks take them to a vet for the vet to trim their nails.

I usually use a mesh nail trimming pouch and cuticle cutters. My eyesight isn't the greatest anymore so I'm leery of using regular nail clippers because the half moon shape of the cutters. I'm afraid using those I would take to much off the tip and hit the quick. Cuticle cutters have a straight cutting edge instead of half moon shape, for me they are easier to use.

The mesh bag is awesome, most of the time I can very quickly get most of the nails clipped with minimal stress to the gliders and me . The mesh is black so it's easier for me to see their nails against the black mesh and usually just the tips of their nails poke through it then just snip off the tips.

I usually check them a day or two after the clipping pouch in case I missed a couple. Then I'l just pick up the foot and trim the ones I missed.

Gliders nails have a vein that runs through them, like dogs nails called the quick. So some folks keep a small container of cornstarch on hand when trimming nails. If you hit the quick just put some cornstarch on it to stop the bleeding. *This is why my eyesight worries me*

Trim tracks only help to maintain their nails, (in my opinion) if they are over grown from neglectful previous owners it's better to just trim them, then let the trim tracks help maintain them until the next needed trim.

Good luck

As Leela mentioned there are different techniques to nail trimming. Leela, I'd love to see what the mesh nail trim pouch looks like, sounds really neat.

I use the slant or angled nail trimmers, so you can see better.

Because of the fact that your baby is very new and still scared, it may be easier to take her to the vet for this time. But, remember that while nail trimming can be traumatic, usually they recover from it quickly.

I personally use a very different technique for nail trims, it's called the mealie method.

Here is my prep set up for nail trims, notice I have all I need set out a head of time. I do this anywhere between late morning and early afternoon (preferably before 1pm) when they're sleepy. I make sure I'm in a well lighted area and have my reading glasses there as well to help me see better.



After setting up, I place all three of my gliders in their canvas travel carrier and take one out at a time.

In the next photo, you'll see my lovely Skadoosh being my model. You will also notice I'm not holding the nail clippers and showing actual trimming because I was taking the pic with my other hand, lol.




My girls are very used to this method, I can get all their nails done and even run the emery board over the fresh clipped nails to dull them a bit to avoid snagging. My boy Ollie, I haven't had as long, we are still working on this method it is getting so I can usually get all but a few.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pr-S3TdjLNY This is a video of a glider in a mesh trimming pouch getting nails clipped.

https://www.facebook.com/sgliderjoy?fref=ts This is her facebook page if you message her you can place an order there

and angelfire... she has some awesome hoodies with pouches sewn inside too.
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/SugarGliderJoy

Thank you Leela, they're awesome, I may consider that for my Ollie to finish his nails . He's not with the nail trim program as well as the girls are. He's improving, but I usually end up not getting 2-4 nails and have to resort to pouch to finish, and that is not okay with him. I'm hoping with continued practice, he'll get with my nail trim program 100%. I'm hoping to get nail trims done today or tomorrow, he's been better the last two time, so I'm curious if he's getting there.

Thank you for the tips everyone! Since the previous owners neglected to trim her nails, I will try to clip them this time. I plan on getting trim tracks for next time, so I can keep her nails at a good level. I have a bonding pouch with mesh, but Nala usually sits in the lower part of the bag, not grabbing on to the mesh. I have treats on hand, and if she seems to scared I will give her a break. Thanks again everyone!