When it comes to your bearded dragon, you want to ensure that it’s cared for properly, don’t you? Whether that’s the finest food, substrate, attention, and yes, even trimming their nails. You probably didn’t think about this until one of those spiky claws stabbed you, yes?
But finding out how to trim your bearded dragon’s nails can be a challenge. Especially if you are a first-time owner, finding the right guide and knowing what to do can be tricky. It can leave you overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
Well, no more! We are here with the only guide you will ever need to trim your bearded dragon’s nails! We have packed it full of helpful tips to prepare you for any situation and ensure that your bearded dragon’s nails are the perfect length!
How do I cut my bearded dragon’s nails?
To cut your bearded dragons’ nails, simply hold them steady, keeping their arm and foot still. Then, use standard toenail clippers to nip off the sharp ends. Avoid cutting too much, just remove the tip, and you are done!
It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, and you can carry on with your day! But, don’t worry, we go into more detail later on. So let’s get into everything you need to know about cutting your bearded dragons’ nails.
Do I need to trim my Bearded Dragon’s nails?
Now you might be wondering, do I actually need to be trimming my Bearded Dragons nails? Well, the answer is, yes, you do!
As you have probably noticed, their nails can be quite sharp, and cutting them ensures they don’t puncture our skin when we hold them! Our safety is important, and cutting their nails keeps you safe.
But it also keeps your Bearded Dragon safe. You want their toes and nails to sit upright and be perpendicular to the ground. If their nails are too long, it can force the toes to twist over.
Ouch! It can be quite uncomfortable for your dragon and leave them struggling to get traction when climbing or digging.
Long nails will get in your Bearded Dragon’s way when they are climbing. It also stops them from sleeping on branches, as the long nails get in the way when they stay stationary on the branches. Longer nails can also get caught and snag on things, like the reptile carpet.
Snagged nails can also be a problem for your Bearded Dragon. They can rip off and not grow back! Not only can this be incredibly painful for your Bearded Dragon, but it can hinder their ability to climb and cling onto things. In addition, it will be hard to do one nail short!
Now that we have established why you need to cut your Bearded Dragon’s nails, let’s look at when and how to do this!
When should I cut my bearded dragon’s nails?
It can be challenging, especially for first-time owners, to know when they should be cutting their bearded dragon’s nails. Thankfully we are here to help! There are two things you will notice when it’s time to trim those claws!
The first is if you have any scratches (and are bleeding) or puncture wounds after holding your bearded dragon. Spending time with your pet shouldn’t cause you pain and is a good indicator that it’s time to trim those claws!
The next sign is the way your bearded dragon is standing or walking on a hard surface. You want their nails to be short enough not to cause any discomfort. It can be uncomfortable when their nails are long and not sharp.
If you keep your bearded dragons on tile surfaces, you are likely to notice it. The tile will keep your nails dull but not short enough for them to be comfortable.
When your bearded dragon is on a hard surface, you will be able to notice if its nails are too long. If they are the correct length, the nails and toes will stay perpendicular to the ground.
However, if the nails and toes bend over to the side due to the length of the nail, it’s time to cut your bearded dragon’s nails.
What do I use to cut my Bearded Dragons nails?
We have established that you have to cut your bearded dragon’s nails and when, but what do you use? Well, contrary to what the forums and other websites will tell you, you don’t need specialized nail clippers for a bearded dragon.
Unless your bearded dragon is larger than 24-inches with large and thick clippers, you don’t need anything better than toenail clippers! If you have a large bearded dragon with hard-to-cut and thick nails, we recommend purchasing specialized clippers.
You can get them designed for reptiles and be stronger, and cut through these nails quickly. It’s best to opt for ones that limit how much you can cut too, so you don’t take off more than you intend!
For most people and their bearded dragons, though, you can’t go wrong with standard toenail clippers. That’s right, the ones that you use! They feature a larger gap between the blades and are strong enough to cut through your bearded dragon’s nails.
When using clippers, it’s best to give them a little clean with some alcohol when you are done. It stops any bacteria your Bearded dragon might have from transferring to you the next time you use your clippers.
Also, it might be worth having a separate pair of clippers that you only use for your bearded dragon. They aren’t too expensive and ensure there are no contamination risks.
You will also need a styptic powder or pencil. This substance works to clot blood and stops bleeding. You shouldn’t need it, but we think it’s best to have it on hand, just in case!
All it takes is your bearded dragon to move or your hand to slip, and you could have a serious injury on your hand!
You can pick it up from your reptile store or online for a reasonable price. We’d recommend getting it before beginning to trim your bearded dragon’s nails.
It comes in handy if you ever cut your nails too close to the quick and they start to bleed. The styptic powder or pencil will help stop the bleeding and is usually used with dog and cat owners.
How should I hold my bearded dragon when cutting their nails?
One of the biggest challenges when cutting your bearded dragons’ nails will be holding them. They can squirm and wriggle, making the job difficult, and can run the risk of injuries.
Regularly handling your bearded dragon is the best way to ensure they don’t wriggle or squirm when you try to cut their nails.
If you only hold your bearded dragon when it’s nail-cutting time or very rarely, then they are likely to be skittish when held and try to wriggle free.
Ensure that you hold them regularly and are used to you before trying to cut their nails. If your bearded dragon is well socialized, they should be docile and still when it comes to nail cutting time!
Holding your bearded dragon several times a week or daily will help prevent any issues when cutting their nails.
It also helps develop a bond with your bearded dragon and makes them more cooperative. If you aren’t sure how to correctly hold and handle your bearded dragon, there are plenty of online tutorials to show you!
It’s important that the handling is correct so that your bearded dragon is comfortable at all times.
What about squirmy bearded dragons?
Even if you have the best relationship with your bearded dragon and an unbreakable bond, they can squirm and wriggle. It might be a little, or it might be a lot; it varies from bearded dragon to dragon and how they feel on that day.
It’s not always something personal; they might just be anxious to get to the food or not wanting to be held.
Whatever the reason, you need to know what to do if your bearded dragon squirms. Of course, it’s best not to attempt to trim your bearded dragon’s nails when they are hyper and squirming like this; however, we do have some solutions for you below!
Try again later
Most times, it’s best to try again later on in the day or the next. Most bearded dragons aren’t as lively, and you should find a time where they are more relaxed and likely to let you cut their nails.
Cut when they are sleepy.
You could try and cut their nails when they are asleep for the night. They tend to be groggy and sleepy once the nighttime rolls around, meaning they tend to fight back less, giving you a better chance at cutting their nails.
Bearded Burrito
No, it’s not the kind of burrito you think! Instead, take a warm and soft towel and wrap your Bearded Dragon up in it, like a burrito. It calms your dragon down and gives you a better chance at cutting their nails.
It can also feel relaxing for them, so they are less likely to get stressed or anxious.
You can even try this with a paper towel after their bath to see if they like the sensation. Most bearded dragons find this calming and relaxing, giving you the perfect opportunity to cut their nails or carry out other jobs like administering medicine.
Get a firm grip
If these other methods don’t work, you can’t go wrong with holding your bearded dragon. You can try and hold them firmly until they calm down, but do not squeeze them.
If the bearded dragon is held firmly, they tend to settle down, especially when they realize they cannot wriggle free.
Remember to check that you are holding and picking up your bearded dragon correctly before attempting to grip them firmly. The last thing you want to do is upset or scare your bearded dragon.
It won’t be easy to cut their nails and will not be a pleasant experience for them.
Do I need more than one person?
When cutting your bearded dragon’s nails, sometimes it can be done with just one pair of hands. If your bearded dragon is calm and relaxed, you won’t need any extra help.
However, for those with squirmy bearded dragons or large ones, you might need a second or third pair of hands!
How many depend on your situation, and there isn’t one answer that will suit every citation. Instead, you should make your judgment call. Your safety should be your number one priority at all times, followed shortly by your bearded dragon’s safety.
Use the right amount of people that will ensure the safety of yourself and the bearded dragon at all times.
Do I need to hold my bearded dragon?
We’ve spoken a lot about holding your bearded dragon and ensuring that they are held correctly, but you might be wondering, do I need to hold them while I trim their nails? Well, it all depends on your bearded dragon!
Some bearded dragons are happy to sit on your lap or the ground while you cut their nails. It does make for an easier job when they are like this and allows you to grab their feet and cut the nails while sitting calmly on or next to you.
Your bearded dragon might even prefer this to being held, so be sure not to force the situation and follow their lead.
If you can, hold your bearded dragon when trimming their nails is best. It allows you to keep them in one place and relatively calm.
Holding your bearded dragon also means you can isolate each leg as you trim, reducing your chances of getting hurt! We find it the easier method and usually results in the least amount of scratches or wounds.
When holding your bearded dragon, it’s easy to securely hold them and place one of their legs between your fingers. This positioning prevents your bearded dragon from pulling away or nipping at you.
It also gives you clear access to the nails and allows you to trim them with ease.
Where should you trim them? We think it’s best to do it on the ground or on a large table. It means that if your bearded dragon does manage to wriggle loose and escape, they won’t fall and hurt themselves. A risk many of us don’t want to take!
Now that we have covered all the terrifying what if’s, let’s move on and tell you how to trim your bearded dragon’s nails!
How to trim your bearded dragon’s nails
To correctly trim your bearded dragon’s nails, you first need to understand their makeup. The nails are made up of several parts, with the whole nail being made of keratin! It’s similar to what our nails are made of, but they can be stronger!
Running along the top of the nail is a pigment strip.
Some morphs (genetically bred variants that have been bred for certain appearances and physical traits) have clear nails, but mostly they will have a dark stripe of pigment running down the top of the nail.
The pigment is just color and bears no indication of where you should cut the nail. Instead, the sharp tip of the nail extends back until, on the underside of the nail, you see a bump where the body of the nail gets a lot thicker.
Inside this bump is living tissue, known as the quick. Naturally, you don’t want to trim anywhere near this!
When trimming your bearded dragon’s nails, you want to take off a bit of the tip, so it’s not as sharp anymore. It’s best to go just under halfway from the tip to the bump. It’s a good guide to follow and one you can do easily with the thin and long end of the nail.
Remember, we are not cutting the nails down as far as possible. While you might do this with other pets like cats and dogs, we do not want to do this with our bearded dragons.
Ensure that the nails are all cut to roughly the same length and have no jagged edges. These can snag on items and be quite painful if you catch yourself with one!
Finally, offer your bearded dragon a reward for their good behavior while you were trimming their nails. Give them one of their favorite treats and positive praise.
Hopefully, a treat and some affection will leave your bearded dragon with the memory of nail trimming as a good experience. Ensuring it ends positively can help when it comes to trim your bearded dragon’s nails again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get your last-minute queries answered here!
Can I use a file instead of clippers?
If your bearded dragon sits still long enough, then yes, you can use a file or emery board to trim their nails! You can use the same guide as clipping, taking off the sharp tip of the nail.
How often should I cut my bearded dragon’s nails?
When it comes to cutting your bearded dragon’s nails, there are no hard and fast rules about how often you should cut your bearded dragon’s nails. Instead, you should cut your bearded dragon’s nails when they need doing.
How long that is will depend, some bearded dragons’ nails will grow quicker than others and need to be trimmed regularly. You can expect to trim your bearded dragon’s nails every few months on average.
The amount of activity and the substrate you have will also influence how often your bearded dragon needs to have its nails trimmed.
In most cases, you will tell when they need trimming (use our tips from earlier, too) and trim them as needed. Once you have trimmed them once or twice, it will be easier to notice the pattern and know when your bearded dragon’s nails need cutting.
What if I don’t want to cut my bearded dragon’s nails?
If this all sounds too much or extremely off-putting, you don’t have to do it! Instead, you can take your bearded dragon to the vets, and often they can do it for you.
They can even walk you through the process if you are uncomfortable or nervous to ensure that you are doing it correctly. Sometimes you just can’t beat a demonstration!
It’s also worth checking out your local reptile store too. They can also show you if you are a little uncomfortable or point you in the direction of someone who can assist you.
There might even be reptile shows that you can attend too! These places usually are good places to meet people who can help and other bearded dragon owners that can offer support and helpful tips!
Final Thoughts
And just like that, we have come to the end of our guide today! As you can see, trimming your bearded dragon’s nails isn’t overly complicated and can be done in a few easy steps!
The hardest part is usually getting your bearded dragon to stay still for long enough!
Although this has been a long guide, we have packed it full of potential scenarios and solutions, so you will never need to worry about anything happening with your bearded dragon.
Remember to follow the tips and steps we have laid out for you, and you are sure to have a successful nail trim with your bearded dragon!
If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to check out our FAQ section below!