Clipping Their Nails

[SomethingTegu]

This will be my first time soon. I bought a nail clipper for reptiles and I am wondering if anyone has some tips for me. I'm kind of worried "Chubby" is going to get a bit pissed and bite me while I clip his nails.

 

[laurarfl]

If you do it while they are cold, they will struggle less. I just clip the tips while my lizards are hanging out. I slip the clipper in under their toes instead of trying to restrain the lizard.

 

[chelvis]

Depending on what size your tegu is, you can do what Laurafl said or if they are small and not really sure about the clippers you can make a tegu burrito(take a towel and wrap the tegu in it). Wrapping them up in a towel and covering the face helps restain them with as little stress as possible. They you just pull one foot out at a time and clip form there. It is better if you do not have to restrain them.

Another method is tiles and a dog harness. Get them on the dog harness and let them pull but not go anywhere on the tile or concert outside, this helps file down there nails. Again not the best method.

 

[kbaker]

This will be my first time soon. I bought a nail clipper for reptiles and I am wondering if anyone has some tips for me. I'm kind of worried "Chubby" is going to get a bit pissed and bite me while I clip his nails.

Their nails are kind of like kitten claws...so what I have used for monitors and now with my tegus are cat nail trimmers which work like scissors. Remember not to clip too much off or they will bleed. In general, they will need clipping every two weeks.

Another tip...if your tegu won't settle down long enough and you are not good at trimming, yet...do it at the end of a soak while he is still in the water. The tegu will be a little worn out from swimming and you should be able to take your time. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your tegu will be.