nail issues

[achilles2224]

I was wondering if anyone could advise me as to what to do with Achilles nails. They are super sharp and leaving scratch marks on me. He is about 5 1/2 months old. I can tell the long nails are bothering him/her (that has yet to determined). Any advice would be great! Thank you!

 

[Brandonforty2]

You can put slate tile or a rock in his tank to file down the nails a bit or you can clip them. Here is a good guide for nail clipping. http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nail.html

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

For my lot, I use a pair of very sharp human-grade nail clips and a pot of waxworms - I also recommend the beautifuldragons guide before starting!

I sometimes use an electronic rotating nailfile to smooth off sharp edges, though the younger ones don't have the patience for it (thus the waxworms!).

 

[CooperDragon]

Ceramic tile substrate has helped me quite a bit. I still have to use nail clippers to trim the tips once in a while, but not often. Using clippers carefully isn't so bad at all once you've done it. One of those "huh, that wasn't so bad" things.

 

[achilles2224]

Thanks. I think I will try to clip them. I just hope Achilles will be patient with me as I do it. I might try closer to bed time when beardie is sleepy.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's a good idea. I also suggest keeping some corn starch handy, just in case a toe starts bleeding at all (I've never had that happen).

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Oh, I forgot: window sill. Your best friend in the battle of the clippers: it keeps your dragon entertained and distracted, the white sill is great for contrast to see where the flesh of the nailbed is, and the natural daylight makes it much easier to see by.