>I know all about how to clip their claws (thin red vein on claw) but I > can't > >hold them still to see if they need doing. How do I do this? How do I know > >when they need doing? Except in the instance of an elderly gerbil or a gerbil who has broken a bone at one point (the bones often fuse together in an odd position, preventing the nails from wearing properly) you really shouldn't trim their claws. They are supposed to have long claws (I believe the translation of their scientific name is "clawed warrior") You can give them things to do, as Deb suggested, to wear down the nails in a natural way, but you definitely want to keep them long. As for the plastic ladder- I had the same problem several years ago and instead of plastic I bought a wooden one of similar size from the bird department in a pet store. The gerbils will still chew it, but it'll take longer and it's better for them to chew wood than plastic. Jill ____________NetZero Free Internet Access and Email_________ Download Now http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html Request a CDROM 1-800-333-3633 ___________________________________________________________
