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Dealing with tegu claws

VenusAndSaturn

Active Member
Messages
114
So how do you guys deal with their insanely sharp claws? It seems every time I hold Oreo lately she leaves me with quite a few scratches. They don't hurt too much yet but they sure do bleed.

First things that have come to mind are trimming and then heavy duty gloves so far.
I'd like to have something to protect my skin before she gets any bigger and does more damage.
 

rats

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
56
We put down slate slabs (real slate rock, not the ceramic lookalike) and walking on those helps to keep the claws from being too sharp.
 

Zyn

Well-Known Member
Messages
609
I do what rat does but also some times when that’s not doing the job. I wait till he’s been sleeping and semi cooled down and clip them when he’s moving slower than normal. If I cover his head with a hoody it helps lower his stress. I’m guessing covering their eyes destresses them like say crocodiles
 

VenusAndSaturn

Active Member
Messages
114
Later tonight when she's sleeping I'll have to try that. I have a few flat rocks in her enclosure but it's probably not enough to truly wear them down.
 

VenusAndSaturn

Active Member
Messages
114
Just tried trimming her claws and I cut the tip and it started bleeding. Its not a lot of blood and has seemed to stop but I'm freaked out about it and not quite sure what to do. She didn't seem to really feel it.
 
Last edited:

Zyn

Well-Known Member
Messages
609
Remember they have what’s called a quick like
Dogs cut to close to the nail bed and it’ll bleed. If it stopped it should be ok just keep an eye on it
 

EnjoysWine

Member
Messages
108
Location
Ontario, Canada
I trim Ruby's claws with a normal nail clipper. And yes, you have to be careful and only cut the very end - the sharp tip. It's difficult because Ruby is still very little. Once I clipped too far like you did. I could tell she felt it because she started flicking her foot. I just put some antibiotic ointment on the bleeding claw and it was fine.
 

VenusAndSaturn

Active Member
Messages
114
She seems to be acting fine today, last time I checked on her she was just waking up and coming out to bask.

Hopefully, if I try again I won't make her bleed. I couldn't really tell where the quick was... trimming beardie claws are so much easier.
 

Finnegan

New Member
5 Year Member
Messages
1
Oreo is only 10 months old - is that correct?

When our tegu was young, his claws were also very sharp. I believe we used a nail clipper at first and later switched to using a dremel, as someone else mentioned. If you are uncomfortable doing his nails yourself, then perhaps you would prefer to take him to your exotic vet for a mani/pedi. ;) I believe our vet only charges about $20 for a nail trim.

My tegu is now five years old and we haven't had to trim his nails in a few years. As he aged, his nails became thicker and duller. We take him out frequently and allow him to walk on the sidewalk if he chooses (which he usually does) and that hard surface probably helps a lot with dulling his nails. Also, he (obviously) digs and burrows and that probably keeps his nails from getting sharp too.

Our iguana... now THOSE are the nails I look out for!!!
 

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