I have used pumpkin before and it works. Well, it did for my babies.
As for the clippers, I use Andis. They are a bit more expensive, but, they are really good clippers, to me anyway. Jeffers Pet supply has them. They run a little over 100.00 and comes with a # 10 blade. You can call 1-800-JEFFERS and ask for a PET CATALOG..they also have equine and farm animals too. I get all three!!! They do have a website as well. I just like the old fashioned catalog tho!!!
www.jefferspet.com