Caleb Foster
Bearded dragons' nails need to be trimmed regularly, as their living conditions are different from those of wild beardies, and their claws may not wear down naturally. If you notice puncture wounds and bloody scratches after holding your beardie, it's definitely time for a trim. You can use standard nail clippers or small animal nail clippers to remove the sharp tips of the nails. Be careful not to cut into the quick, which is the living part of the nail filled with nerves, as this will be painful for your beardie and cause bleeding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often | Once a month or twice a year, depending on how much your beardie wears down its nails naturally. As a general rule, three or four times a year. |
| When to cut | In the morning, before you turn on their heat/lights. |
| What to cut | Only the sharp, black tips. |
| How to cut | Hold them steady and keep their arm/feet still. Use a standard pair of toenail clippers or small animal nail clippers. |
| What not to do | Avoid cutting into the quick, the living part of the nail filled with nerves. |
| What to do if you cut too much | Apply styptic powder, flour or corn starch to stop the bleeding. |
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What You'll Learn
How often to cut your beardie's nails
It is important to cut your bearded dragon's nails regularly, as their nails do not wear down naturally in captivity. In the wild, bearded dragons spend hours traversing rough surfaces, which helps to keep their nails trim. However, in captivity, their nails can grow too long and pose a risk to their health and your own. Therefore, it is recommended to trim their nails three to four times a year, typically at the start of each season.
The frequency of nail trimming may vary depending on your beardie's activity level and the type of surfaces they come into contact with. If your beardie is kept on tile, their nails may stay dull but may still grow too long. To determine if their nails need trimming, examine their feet when they are standing or walking on a hard surface. If their nails and toes stay perpendicular to the ground, the length is good. However, if the nails are so long that they cause their toes to bend over to the side, it's time for a trim. Additionally, if you are getting scratched by their nails, it is definitely time for a cut.
It is important to use the appropriate tools when trimming your beardie's nails. While some sources suggest using standard toenail clippers, others recommend investing in pet nail clippers designed for circular nails, which provide even pressure across the nail. For smaller beardies, human nail clippers can suffice, but they may be more difficult to handle and can result in uneven cuts. It is also recommended to have styptic powder or a styptic pencil on hand to stop any bleeding in case you cut the nail too short.
To make the nail trimming process less stressful for your beardie, handle their feet frequently so they get used to the sensation. You can also get them accustomed to the sound of the clippers by opening and closing them near their feet. Some people find it helpful to cover their beardie's head with a small towel for 10 minutes before cutting to simulate darkness and make them more relaxed.
By following these guidelines and monitoring your beardie's nail length, you can ensure that their nails are maintained at a healthy length, promoting their comfort and well-being.
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What tools to use
Trimming your bearded dragon's nails is a simple process, but it's important to have the right tools on hand. Here's what you need to know about the tools for the job:
Standard nail clippers can be used to trim your bearded dragon's nails, especially for smaller beardies. Human nail clippers can work in a pinch, but they may not be as effective as dedicated pet nail clippers. It can be more difficult to hold human nail clippers at the right angle, and you may end up with an uneven cut.
Small animal nail clippers are designed specifically for small pets and can make the job easier. These clippers are curved to fit the shape of an animal's nail and provide circular pressure, which is ideal for the circular nails of bearded dragons. You can find these clippers at pet stores or online.
If you have a large bearded dragon with thick claws, you may need to invest in a stronger set of clippers designed for large pets. These clippers are sharp and strong, allowing for quick and clean cuts through thicker nails. They also help prevent over-cutting.
In addition to clippers, it's important to have styptic powder or a styptic pencil on hand. These products can quickly clot blood and stop bleeding in case you accidentally cut too close to the quick, the living part of the nail filled with nerves. This can cause pain and bleeding if cut.
Finally, some people recommend covering your bearded dragon's head with a small towel for about 10 minutes before cutting their nails. This helps simulate darkness and the sleep cycle, making them more relaxed during the process.
With the right tools and a gentle approach, you can safely trim your bearded dragon's nails and keep them comfortable.
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How to cut their nails
Trimming your bearded dragon's nails is an important part of caring for your pet. In the wild, bearded dragons' nails are naturally worn down by travelling across rough surfaces, but in captivity, their nails can grow out of control, posing a risk to both the dragon and their owner.
You should trim your beardie's nails three to four times a year, but this will depend on their activity level and the surfaces they come into contact with. If you are getting scratched when holding your dragon, it's time for a trim.
To trim their nails, you will need a pair of clippers. You can use standard nail clippers, but small animal nail clippers are better suited to the shape of a bearded dragon's nails. You can also use infant nail trimmers for smaller beardies. It's a good idea to have styptic powder or a styptic pencil on hand in case you cut into the quick, which will bleed and cause pain.
To trim their nails, hold your beardie securely, preferably when they are sleepy or calm. You can cover their head with a small towel for 10 minutes beforehand to help them relax. Pick up one foot at a time and gently hold it still. Identify the quick by running your finger over the nail—you should feel a bump where the quick ends. Cut a millimetre or so beyond that, towards the tip. You only need to remove the sharp or black tips of the nails, so don't cut too much.
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What to do if you cut them too short
If you cut your beardie's nails too short, the first thing to do is not panic. It is a common mistake that even vet techs make. If the nail is bleeding, try to have styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch on hand to stop the bleeding. If you don't have any of those, you can use arrowroot, which works in a similar way to cornstarch or flour.
If the nail is not bleeding, keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get infected. The dragon might be in pain, so it is important to monitor its behaviour and look for any signs of discomfort.
To prevent cutting the nails too short in the future, only trim the very tips of the nails when they start to curl. Do not cut almost the entire nail. It is also recommended to switch to a tile substrate to help keep their nails filed down naturally.
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Alternatives to cutting
If you are nervous about cutting your bearded dragon's nails, there are a few alternatives you can try. One popular method is to switch to a tile substrate in their enclosure, which will help wear down their nails naturally. You can buy rough tile or stone to put in their enclosure, or you can tile the tank yourself with tiles from a DIY store. If you go for the latter option, make sure to caulk the seams so that nothing gets underneath them.
Some people find that keeping their bearded dragon on tile does not make a difference to the sharpness of their nails, so you may still need to trim the tips. However, the tile will make it so you don't have to trim their nails as frequently.
Another alternative is to use a small pet dremel to round out the nails. You can use a regular dremel on its lowest setting with a nail guard.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're getting scratched, it's probably time for a trim. You can also examine your beardie's nails by placing them on a flat surface and looking at their feet when they are standing or walking. If their nails and toes stay perpendicular to the ground, the length is fine. If they bend over to the side, it's time for a cut.
You can use standard nail clippers, but it's recommended to invest in pet animal clippers designed for dogs and cats. This is because pet nail clippers are designed to provide circular pressure, keeping the pressure even across the nail. You'll also need styptic powder or a styptic pencil to clot blood and stop bleeding in case you cut too close to the quick.
Hold your beardie securely so they won't jerk away and cause you to cut too much. Identify the dead point of the nail and the quick, which is the living part of the nail filled with nerves. Cut a millimetre or so beyond the quick, towards the tip. Only cut the sharp ends or the pointy part of the nail.
