Sharp nails!

[JessLC]

Any tips on how to keep their nails filed? Pepper's nails are like little knives.. i can hardly handle her because it makes cuddle time so painful.

She has a rock in her enclosure, but i don't think she's on it enough for it to keep her nails filed. I'm afraid to try anything because i don't want to cause her any stress or risk splintering a nail and getting an infection.

 

[midmichicer]

What kind of substrate are you using? Many have found that using tile files the nails down.

 

[JessLC]

I was using paper towels until i get her 40 breeder.. which is this weekend. Then i was planning to get tile.

 

[midmichicer]

That should help a lot.

 

[JessLC]

Oh good, Thanks

 

[bltkpo]

I understand their nails can be clipped like cats as well? Our local pet store has offered to do Bindys.. but we got tile instead!

 

[JessLC]

I thought about it but i was afraid they would splinter.

 

[Seiryu]

You can clip them, just make sure to do the very, very tip.

I've had my 3 dragons on tiles from the start and they are still on them now. The tiles don't keep them from becoming sharp forever, just slows it down.

This was when I first finished the 5x2x2 enclosure. So it's much different now (more filled in etc) and much brighter than the picture shows! But she's on all tile and I still have to trim her nails once in a while.

 

[JessLC]

Okay. I just wanted to make sure it was safe.
Is there a certain clipper i should use? Like ones for dogs?

 

[Seiryu]

I personally use the normal toe clippers we use! I am not sure about the dog clippers.

I am a foster for a cat rescue and have cats of my own so I have "mastered" cat clipping and beardeds are just as easy for me. Not sure how it would go if you don't have much experience with cat clipping. Like I said, you just take the very tip off so there isn't a sharp point.

 

[JessLC]

Okay, thanks so much.

 

[randommonks]

You'll notice that there's the very sharp tip, and then it thickens out pretty abruptly. I normally just cut off that very tip, like previous posters have said. Now that my dragon's an adult, I can see the blood vessels pretty well in his nails, and I've cut his nails for the third time yesterday. It gets easier I've noticed, for both me and him . If the squirm a bit, you can let him have a break, or if you're afraid of him pulling, pull him out after he's asleep and do it then.

 

[Visionist]

Okay, thanks so much.

On the nails there is a white kind of transparent piece that comes along the back of the nail. This is the vein. You can cut the tip on an angle as long as you don't cut where the vein is.

 

[JessLC]

Oooo.. I'll try.. I'm nervous now /:

 

[Maxwellsmomma1989]

i agree tile is the way to go !! easy clean up.. and when they get bored and dig in their tank like maxs does then they file the nails for you i use to file maxwells nails but now thats hes goten older he wont hold still for me