Anyone with a scaly companion in their home knows that handling time usually comes with plenty of pokes and scratches. Even if your pet likes spending time outside the enclosure, their sharp nails can scratch up surfaces completely on accident. But should you be cutting your lizard’s nails? And how do you do so safely?
Should You Cut Your Lizard’s Nails?
There’s no single right answer to this question. Sometimes, a trim is in order. In other cases, you should leave your reptile’s nails alone unless there’s a problem.
Consider trimming your pet’s nails if:
- They are long enough to interfere with their quality of life (e.g., they’re making the toes go in odd directions)
- They are cracking when left untrimmed
- They are causing significant harm to you during handling
Remember that your pet uses its nails to safely hold on and engage with the world. You shouldn’t expect to get out of every encounter scratch-free. But if your pet is experiencing negative health outcomes due to the size or shape of their nails, or if you’re getting badly hurt, a trim might be a good choice.
Avoid cutting your lizard’s nails if:
- They climb (especially if they are a fully arboreal species)
- They are not causing any issues
- You aren’t comfortable doing the task yourself
Many species rely on their claws, and it’s important to prioritize their well-being over your comfort. If you think you might hurt your pet during trimming, leave this task to the vet instead.
Tips for Keeping Your Lizard’s Nails Trimmed
So you’ve determined that your lizard needs a trim. Now what? There are multiple ways to make those claws a little duller.
Clippers
The most common type of nail trimming device, clippers work for reptiles just like they do for humans. Make sure that your clippers are sharp (getting a new pair for this purpose is smart) so that the cut is clean and doesn’t crack the nail. Ideally, use scissor-style clippers. Look for the blood vessel inside the nail so you can avoid it. If the animal has dark nails, trim no further than where the thickest part of the nail starts to resolve into a smaller, thinner curve. It’s better to clip too little than too much.
Grinders
A Dremel tool (also called a rotary grinder) is another option, and many reptiles find it more palatable. While it works better the larger the animal, even small pets can try a grinder as long as someone is holding them securely. Gently place the tip of the nail against the grinding surface, wearing it down slowly. Don’t push too hard, as this can grind the nail too fast (and most reptiles don’t like the vibration).
Décor
You don’t necessarily need to manually trim your lizard’s nails in order to make them shorter! Consider adding new features to the enclosure that allow your pet to manage their nails on their own. If your lizard likes to burrow, try adding a slate tile or two underneath the area where they burrow the most. As they dig, they will naturally file down their claws! Pay attention to your pet’s habits and make small modifications to the enclosure, like rocks or textured objects, where they can blunt their nails on their own.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
Sometimes, even the most well-intentioned owners can make a mistake. Maybe you tried trimming your lizard’s nails on your own and now their nail is bleeding. Maybe they tried to twist out of your grasp and seem to have hurt themselves. It’s important to make a plan ahead of time so nothing catches you unprepared!
- Have a first aid kit – Before you start, prepare your first aid items. If you don’t already have a first aid kit for your pet, now’s a great time to make one! The most important item is styptic powder, which can be dabbed on a lizard’s nail if it starts to bleed in order to stop the bleeding.
- Act fast – If your pet is bleeding, assess the situation quickly. A small nick on a nail can be stopped with styptic powder or gauze, but if anything more than a drop or two is present, seek veterinary care right away. Keep your regular vet and emergency vet information nearby for this purpose.
- Secure the site – If you may have accidentally hurt your animal (such as if it twisted while you were trimming and hurt its arm or leg), keep the injured area secure. You can use gauze to pin the affected limb to the animal’s side; just be sure not to get the adhesive part of any tape on the reptile’s skin!
Trimming your lizard’s nails might seem simple, but it’s a task that many pet owners leave to their vets so that no one ends up hurt. You get less scratched up, and your lizard gets neatly trimmed nails with fewer accidents.
However, remember that your exotic might not even need a nail trim! Their claws are important parts of their normal activities, so it’s best to leave them as-is unless a problem arises. Managing your lizard’s nails means being an attentive keeper and adjusting the enclosure or your pet’s routine to create the best results!