How To Clip Bearded Dragon Nails

If you own a bearded dragon, yous would have noticed how long their nails can grow through the years, posing a danger to you and your bearded dragon.

Trimming your disguised dragon's nails might seem like a challenging task; fortunately, we are here to go far easy for you!

After reading this post, you volition learn how to check for long nails, what tools you'll need, and how to exercise it in just a few quick steps.

This is something anyone tin can practise easily from their home, and will have your bearded dragon kept happy and healthy.

When to trim disguised dragon nails

On average, a disguised dragon's nails need to be trimmed one time every 4 to vi months. Yet, that volition likewise depend on how fast your beardie's nails abound.

In that location are two signs to wait out for that will bespeak when it'due south time to go alee and cut your pet's nails.

Sign #1 Scratching

The get-go one is when their nails begin to scratch yous. You lot may not find this if yous aren't holding your pet very much, only this is important to go along an eye out for.

If you rarely get them out, look at their nails occasionally, so you know when it's time to clip them.

Sign #ii Ingrown nail

The 2nd sign is an ingrown nail, which happens when the nail grows then long that information technology begins to curl underneath. As mentioned higher up, this is uncomfortable and can be painful, so endeavour to ensure it doesn't achieve this betoken.

Most people will find that they need to trim their pet's nails at least 1-2 times a year, with some going higher to 5-vi times a yr. This is upwards to you lot and depends more than on how fast your pet'southward nails grow. Only go on an eye on their nails every couple of months.

Preparation: Items y'all'll demand

The first thing you're going to demand is a nail trimmer. Many people differ on the type of trimmer they utilise, but information technology's really upwardly to you.

Y'all can purchase a specific trimmer for a bearded dragon or even use one meant for some other fauna, such as a cat or dog. Zen Clippers host a great variety of trimmers that you lot could use for your bearded dragon.

Some people even use standard blast clippers for humans, which is totally fine! Just brand certain you lot are careful with whatever clipper you are using and know how to use it before you attempt it on your creature.

The 2d affair you'll demand is some treats to accept nearby. You lot want to make sure you can advantage your pet during and afterward the clipping, as it may stress them out just a picayune.

Nothing fanciful then far, correct? Told y'all it's going to exist an easy lesson!

Step 1: Make sure the beardie is calm and comfortable

And now we are gear up to begin! First of all, yous need to brand certain your bearded dragon is at-home. This is a crucial step! You don't desire to be treatment a hyper or stressed-out beardie when trying to prune their nails.

There are a few ways you tin can calm them down, including stroking them, giving them a bath, covering their cage, and giving them treats. Y'all may fifty-fifty let your bearded dragon heed to some relaxing music!

Hopefully, y'all know what will brand your pet relaxed and can ensure they are calm earlier starting. If yous find that these methods are not working, only simply try again the next day.

Important: Don't try to cut their nails when they are non calm. This is essential for both your safety and theirs.

You too want to ensure that your bearded dragon is comfortable beingness held by you lot. Some people don't handle their pets as much, which can make it difficult when trying to trim their nails.

Try and incorporate some handling time into your daily routine. This will brand your pet more comfortable being held, which will make it easier when you decide to clip their nails.

Stride 2: Decide how to handle

Next, make up one's mind if y'all are going to have someone hold your pet while you cut their nails, or if you lot are going to agree them yourself. This all depends on how cooperative your bearded dragon will exist.

Prone position

If they don't mind their nails being cut, yous may be able to simply have them lay down. This manner, you can easily cut their nails while they remain at-home and stay lying downwards.

This may only come up with time, so make sure your pet is really calm if you try this mode.

Held by yous

The best method is to hold your bearded dragon to ensure your pet won't motility while you are in the procedure of trimming. This is important for the prophylactic of both you and your beardie.

If you aren't holding them, they may strike out unexpectedly, causing y'all to cut deeper than intended. That said, if they are at-home and you can hold them steady while you lot work, this is the ideal situation.

Held by a friend

If the above methods are not plausible, accept a friend hold them while y'all clip their nails. This style, you tin can focus on the trimming while someone else ensures the bearded dragon won't motility.

Make certain they know how to hold them correctly, never squeezing. Also, make sure to wave your manus in front of their face before picking them upwards, and then they are not surprised when handled.

If they practice not want to be picked up, merely leave them be and try a dissimilar solar day. Again, we don't want to handle an upset bearded dragon.

Step 3: Which role of the nail to prune?

When looking at what part of the nail needs to be handled, notice the white function almost the leg, and the thin black office coming out in the claw. The black office is the slice you will be cutting.

The white slice contains living tissue and blood vessels, so you mustn't striking this part. Yous want to cut about half of the black department, making sure not to overcut.

You are non trying to cut most of the blast; you're merely trimming a trivial scrap. Make certain you understand this earlier start, as y'all don't want to hurt your pet!

Go dull and just cut a little piece of the thin claw. Over time, you will go more than experienced on how to practise this and hopefully will get more than comfortable cut their claws.

If yous want farther help, y'all can even look at pictures or YouTube videos. Here's one video I plant that explains it pretty well.

Bonus: Reward your beardie buddy after the deed

The final pace is to reward your disguised dragon with a treat for cooperating so well! You may also desire to keep some claret clotting gel around, just in case they drain a little bit.

This should not happen if you stay near the tip, but if y'all accidentally go a little as well deep, this may exist a adept production to take nearby. You can put a small amount on the smash, and the haemorrhage should finish shortly.

Make certain to requite your bearded dragon some reanimation after this, specially if they were stressed out. You could cover their cage, requite them a bath, or do other things you know will continue your pet prissy and relaxed.

The importance of trimming their nails promptly

There are a couple of reasons why this is a necessary activity that needs to be taken. But firstly, if the nails are too long, information technology'south a danger to your pet. Nails that take grown too much tin really begin to twist over on themselves, making it difficult for your pet to walk.

Depending on how mobile your bearded dragon is, they also could have trouble getting around their enclosure and doing everyday tasks, such equally climbing and eating.

This could reach a very uncomfortable point for them, causing unneeded distress, which can touch on the life span of your bearded dragon.

The other reason is for the safety of you, their handler! If you constantly handle your pet, you don't want to get punctured past hook marks. Make sure you go on an eye on the claw length, and then you know when it'southward fourth dimension to cutting them.

My disguised dragon'due south nails are growing too fast!

In that location are certain products you tin keep in your bearded dragon's enclosure that will actually help trim their nails. These include items like wooden logs and rocks. They will naturally continue the nails worn down as your pet climbs on them and spends fourth dimension rubbing their nails against them.

Another great particular to look for is porcelain tile. You can option these up from your hardware store, flip them around to the unfurnished side, and place them in the tank.

Brand certain to put it somewhere you know your bearded dragon will use information technology, such every bit by their water basin or climbing tree. Your beardie will apply it as a basking plate and a nail filer at the same time!

This is a great way to keep their nails trimmed easily without forcing unnecessary stress on you lot and your pet. By keeping these items in their environment, they'll do the work for you!

Final Thoughts

At present that you know how to cutting your bearded dragon's nails, you can go on your pet looking healthy and safe! It's of import to think to trim their nails for both their health and yours, and it's an easy task that you can larn rather speedily. Afterwards all, this is pretty simple, isn't information technology!

Make certain yous have washed your research beforehand, and then you can begin like a pro. Skillful luck!

Source: https://cleverpetowners.com/how-often-should-i-clip-my-bearded-dragons-nails/