Need a Manicure?

Post by **Datsun and Family** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:17 am

How does everyone keep long nails under control?

Datsun has a "Beach Walk" perch that has shell and grit and sand in it which I put at the back of her cage up high so she is often on that and even sleeps on it but it doesnt seem to help trim her nails. She also has a mineral beak block but never uses it.

Any tricks I dont know???????????????????????

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:55 am

Can we clip them? I have wondered this myself. My girls nails are very sharp, like a kittys even. She too has a sand perch but doesnt like it much.

Great question, thanks for asking.

greeny · Post by **greeny** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:18 am

You can clip them, but very carefully. I used to take them to the vet for this, but it got expensive. They used small clippers and a Dremel device kinda like a very small sander, after they clipped the nails. My bird hated it and it took 3 people to clip him! He was mad at me for a week after this. I had to clip the toes because they were sharp like needles!

Be very careful not to cut too high on the nail or it will bleed.

Post by **Datsun and Family** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:31 pm

I use a pair of small animal clippers and them an emery board to file them smooth. But Datsun HATES it and Im very fearful of cutting them too short, knowing that birds can bleed to death from the smallest cut.

selma · Post by **selma** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 2:21 am

Yes good question. I took bibou for his nail clipping and he was upset with me too for nearly a week. Don't think i will be able to cut it myself though. he does not even let me touch him so i can't see that happening. I saw the mineral block at the shop. What exactly does it do for the beak? Hope it doesn't make it sharper :shock:

Melika · Post by **Melika** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 2:30 pm

For all my birds you only tip the nail. That's all you need to do to take the edge off. Use a nail clipper for birds, dog or can ones can be too large and twist the nail as it cuts.

All my birds just sit on my finger and I clip one handed. They just sit there. But I've also never cut the quick, same for my dog. And all of them have nice nails. ^_^ With Hane, it can take more than one day to clip all his nails since he'll get impatient but he'll sit still for at least a few at a time.

Birds need to wear their beaks down since it is continualy growing. But wood works just as well, if not better than a mineral block. Hane prefers wood, so I always get him some softwood (pine) toys or perch for him to chew to bits.