Trimming your bearded dragon’s nails can seem like a daunting task. But with the proper preparation and tools, it can be a relatively easy process. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to trim your bearded dragon’s nails safely and effectively. So gather up your supplies and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is trimming of nails?
Nail trimming is the process of carefully and precisely cutting the nails of your bearded dragon. It is important to trim their nails regularly to keep them healthy and avoid any potential problems that could arise from overgrown nails.
Why do I need to trim my bearded dragon’s nails?
There are several reasons why you might need to trim your bearded dragon’s nails.
- Their nails can become overgrown, which can cause pain and discomfort. Overgrown nails can also make it difficult for your bearded dragon to walk and climb, which can lead to them becoming stressed or anxious. In some cases, overgrown nails can even cause injury to your bearded dragon if they catch on something or get caught in between two objects.
- Another reason to trim your bearded dragon’s nails is to prevent them from becoming ingrown. Ingrown nails can be painful and difficult to treat, so it is best to avoid them altogether. Regular nail trims will help keep your bearded dragon’s nails at a healthy length and prevent them from becoming ingrown.
Bearded Dragon Nails Curling:
From around the third month, the nails of a juvenile bearded dragon will begin to grow and curl. This is perfectly normal and is nothing to worry about. The nails will continue to grow and curl until they reach their full length, which is around 6-12 months old.
As the nails grow, you may need to trim them more frequently to keep them at a manageable length.
Bearded dragons have nails that curve downwards, which can make them difficult to trim. The best way to trim these types of nails is to use a sharp nail trimmer/clipper and cut the nail at a 45-degree angle.
What do I need to trim my bearded dragon’s nails?
There are a few things you will need in order to trim your bearded dragon’s nails effectively.
- First, you will need a sharp toenail clipper/trimmer. You can find these at most pet stores or online.
- Second, you will need a styptic powder or pen. This is a powder or pen that helps to stop bleeding in case you accidentally cut the quick (the blood vessel in the nail).
- Third, you will need a pair of tweezers. This is for picking up the nails after you have trimmed them.
- Fourth, you will need a towel. This is to put your bearded dragon on while you trim their nails. It will help to keep them still and prevent them from moving around too much.
How to trim bearded dragon’s nails:
Now that you have all of your supplies, you are ready to start trimming your bearded dragon’s nails!
The first step is to put your towel on the floor or surface where you will be working. This will help to keep your bearded dragon in one place and prevent them from moving around too much.
Next, gently pick up your bearded dragon and place them on the towel. You want to be sure that they are comfortable and not too tight.
If your bearded dragon is struggling or seems uncomfortable, you can try wrapping them in the towel like a burrito. This will help to keep them still and make them feel more secure.
Once your bearded dragon is on the towel, take a look at their nails. You want to identify the quick (the blood vessel in the nail) so that you can avoid cutting it.
The quick will be different colors in different nails. It is usually pink or white. In some cases, it may be difficult to see the quick. If this is the case, you can try using a pen or pencil to mark the nails where you will be trimming.
Now that you have identified the quick, you are ready to start trimming!
Start with one nail and carefully cut it at a 45-degree angle. You want to be sure not to cut too close to the quick. If you do accidentally cut the quick, don’t worry! Just apply some styptic powder or pen to the nail to stop the bleeding.
Repeat this process for all of the nails. Once you are finished, you can help your bearded dragon down from the towel and give them a treat!
Do trim your beardie’s nails cut too close to the quick:
Unlike other animals such as dogs which you can trim their nails as close as possible to the blood vessels, that is not the recommended case for bearded dragons.
Do not trim your Bearded dragons’ nails too close to the quick as it will cause discomfort and sometimes bleeding. If you accidentally cut the quick, use styptic powder or a styptic pen to stop the bleeding.
When is a good time to trim?
Trim your bearded dragon’s nails as soon as the tip of the nails start to curl. You don’t want to wait until the nails are overgrown, as this can cause pain and discomfort for your bearded dragon.
If the nails are too hard to clip, you can try soaking their nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes before trimming. This will help to soften the nails and make them easier to cut.
Nail trimming is an important part of keeping your bearded dragon healthy and happy.
How often should I trim my bearded dragon’s nails?
It is a good idea to trim your bearded dragon’s nails every 4 to 6 months. This will help to keep them at a healthy length and prevent them from becoming overgrown or ingrown.
What difficulties should I expect when trimming bearded dragon nails?
They squirm:
Many bearded dragons will squirm and try to get away when you start to trim their nails. This is normal! Just be sure to hold them securely and take your time.
They bleed:
It is possible to accidentally cut the quick (the blood vessel in the nail) when trimming your bearded dragon’s nails. If this happens, don’t worry! Just apply some styptic powder or pen to the nail to stop the bleeding.
They’re scared:
Some bearded dragons may be scared of the process of nail trimming. If this is the case, you can try wrapping them in a towel like a burrito. This will help to keep them still and make them feel more secure.
Parts of Bearded Dragon Nails:
Beardies have five toes on each foot, and each toe has a nail. The nails are made of keratin, which is the same substance that human fingernails and toenails are made of.
The part of the nail that you can see is called the claw. The claw grows from the nail bed, which is the fleshy part of the toe.
The quick is the blood vessel in the nail. It is important to avoid cutting the quick when trimming your bearded dragon’s nails.
The base of the nail is called the matrix. This is where the new nail grows from.
Tips for Trimming Your Bearded Dragon’s Nails:
1. Start with one nail and carefully cut it at a 45-degree angle.
2. You want to be sure not to cut too close to the quick.
3. If you do accidentally cut the quick, don’t worry! Just apply some styptic powder or pen to the nail to stop the bleeding.
4. Repeat this process for all of the nails.
5. Once you are finished, you can help your bearded dragon down from the towel and give them a treat!
6. If the nails are too hard to clip, you can try soaking their nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes before trimming. This will help to soften the nails and make them easier to cut.
7. It is a good idea to trim your bearded dragon’s nails every 4 to 6 months.
8. This will help to keep them at a healthy length and prevent them from becoming overgrown or ingrown.
9. Many bearded dragons will squirm and try to get away when you start to trim their nails. This is normal! Just be sure to hold them securely and take your time.
10. Some bearded dragons may be scared of the process of nail trimming. If this is the case, you can try wrapping them in a towel like a burrito. This will help to keep them still and make them feel more secure.
Bearded dragons are amazing pets! They are friendly, docile, and relatively easy to care for. One important part of caring for your bearded dragon is trimming their nails. In
Final thoughts:
Trimming your bearded dragon’s nails is a quick and easy process that can be done at home. By following these simple steps that I have explained in this article, you can help keep your bearded dragon’s nails healthy and prevent them from causing pain or discomfort.
Sources:
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
