Clipping toe nails

[Gagnon]

How do you clip the dragons toe nails and when?

 

[injectedink]

i use a normal nail clipper and i just do it when they're too sharp,
you just cut off the little point and no further in, you can tell where the quick(i dont know if its called this on beardies but its the same on dogs) is on their nails quite easily and just cut right under it.

 

[vickson420]

Topic moved to General Discussions
Hello
You can use human nail clippers or they do sell avian/reptile nail clippers as well.You must be very careful not to cut the quick or the nail will bleed.Just in case it is a good idea to have a septic stick standing by.Another method rather then cutting is to file them as many are scared they will cut too far down.Personally I do neither because I house my beardies on slate tile substrate which naturally files down the nail.

I forgot to add that generally if you look on the clear portion of the nail you can see the vein/quick so just be sure to cut above that.

Vicky

 

[Theresa20]

Which colour of the nail is the part that you are supposed to cut? Because Spike has a brownish and whitish part, and it seems safe to say the brown coloured part is the one with blood in it that you shouldn't cut, but his brown part is growing out way past the white part.

 

[vickson420]

No Actually the whit or brown isnt what your looking for.In the inner part of the nail there is a red vein whoch you can see if you look on the clear part.The safest thing to do is just to cut the tip curve before the area where it kind of thickens and straightens out.Just clip a little of the very tip and you should be ok.

 

[Theresa20]

Thanks "vickson" !!!!!

 

[vickson420]

Thanks "vickson" !!!!!

Your welcome!Good Luck.

 

[Gagnon]

Thank you. I will be careful

 

[hammerhead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1HR0T-at8
This is a good video to learn. David

 

[darth99]

I had heard that and even attempted to see if it worked, however I didn't see much difference, If you look at a beardie nail, you will see that the tip is almost needlelike and then a sudden thickness. The vein should only be just past that when a beardie's nails are properly maintained, but in long nails the vein grows way past that which is why a little at a time is the way to go.
One other thing you can try, testking SK0-002 thin granite tiles as a substrate. A dragon walking on such a substrate will help wear down his nails gradually.
* There are special nail cutters made just for toenails. While a normal nail cutter is slightly curved, a toenail cutter goes straight across so as to reduce the likelihood of ingrown toenails.
* You can also buff nails to make them shiny smooth.
* Massage in a cuticle cream to keep cuticles healthy and moisturized.
* If your nails are very brittle, soaking them in water beforehand will soften them up. You can also cut them right after bathing.
* Do apply hand cream every time you wash your hands. The oils in the cream will seal moisture into your nails.
* Wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes because main cause of soft nails is exposure to water, so
* If you have very weak nails, try painting your base coat and nail polish under the tip of your nails to give them extra strength.
* You can dry the wet nails instantly by plunging them into ice cold water.
* In order to repair a split nail, testking 642-072 tear a little paper from a teabag or coffee filter paper and glue it over the tear with nail glue.
* Once it's dry, buff until smooth, and then apply your polish.
* To avoid mud getting into nails during gardening or messy work, drag your nails over a bar of soap. The undersides of your nails will fill up with soap, which means dirt won't be able to get in.
* Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean ink and stains from your finger tips.
* Do not file your nails immediately after a bath because they are weak at this time and are likely to split.
* Using a cotton bud (swab) with a pointed end, clean under your nails - it's gentler than scrubbing with a nail brush.
* Every evening smooth your nails with a nourishing oil or conditioning cream.
* This well help to seal moisture into your nails and prevent them from flaking and splitting. testking 640-460 A great cheap alternative is a tiny drop of olive oil.

 

[Buggsy]

Lol i dont think that applies to bearded dragons, but thank you!

 

[Lena]

If you mistakenly cut the quick (Like I did, once! She decided to pull her hand back at the last second..) dip the nail in cornstarch! It helps the blood coagulate and will stop the bleeding instantly.

I use normal doggy/kitty nail clippers and a file afterwards to make sure there aren't any sharp edges.