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Michellev123
Flutterer
Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 171
Location: Uk |
| Nail clipping |
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I need to know, how do you know if your babies toe nails need clipping? And whats the best thing to do?? i Have read some people say file them and others say cut them. Which one is best.
I am going to take him to my vet the first time, but wondered what to do next time>??
Thanks
Michelle and Harley  |
Friday February 17, 2006 5:55 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
It is said that if the toe itself is not touching a flat surface then the nail is too long. |
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Friday February 17, 2006 8:48 pm |
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ekkiemom
Fledgeling
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 203
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA |
Hi Michelle:
I have Linus' nails ground with a small tool called a dremel. It is like filing the nail. the tool has a rough head like an emory board and it spins quickly.
I do not do it myself. We visit the store where I bought Linus. I usually have them done every 6 weeks or so. I gues just like peoples hair and finger naisl, all parrots nails probably grow at slighlty different speeds.
The vet should be able to show you a good lenght for Harley's nails
Genny |
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Friday February 17, 2006 11:32 pm |
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Yupra
Flying tumbler
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 2206
Location: CA |
I used to clip Speckles' nails with a clipper my husband bought from the store. One day though I cut too far and got the blood vessel, luckily I'd read a parrot book and put some flour on it to clot the blood and stop the bleeding, but I've been too scared to clip him since. Besides I don't like the clipper very much because it seems blunt and I don't think I'd be capable of sharpening it. Lately I have been thinking of filing but I'm not sure if my own nail file would be safe, some feedback would be great! |
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Friday February 17, 2006 11:34 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Michelle, I think it just depends on your bird really & what he'll tolerate. I couldn't ever imagine trying to file my fids feet with a nail file, they just wouldn't hold still long enough to get anything done. |
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Friday February 17, 2006 11:48 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Hi Michelle,
All my birds usually have their nails done at the vet. Our vet used to clip the nails and then use a dremel to round off the tips. But the last time my Grey had her nails clipped, she kept falling off her perches  So this time when we went for grooming, the vet just used the dremel and filed down the tips of the nails a bit just so they're not sharp. I took my lovebirds to the vet yesterday, and saw a new doctor, and so he went ahead and clipped the lovebirds' nails, and now they keep falling  So now I totally hate getting clippings, and I'll never have it done again for any of my birds. I think the only time it's necessary to get your birds nails trimmed is if they're really sharp and they're digging into your skin, and then I would recommend filing them. However like Cathy said, some birds just don't tolerate you sitting there and filing their nails, so you might need someone to towel your bird while you do the filing. |
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Saturday February 18, 2006 12:05 am |
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ekkiemom
Fledgeling
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 203
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA |
Linus has trouble with landing on his perch right after a nail grinding. He slips off sometimes. Usually only the first day or so.
I always worry about his nails getting caught in things (toys, rope perches, etc.) if they get to long?
I have read in several differrent books that it is better to let young birds have long (ish) nails to help them feel more secure perching and stepping up. |
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Saturday February 18, 2006 12:16 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Gennie, you're right, that could be a concern with long nails. Bunny has 3 rope perches, but I think they're safe as long as there's no loose threads? Her nails are really rounded with the dremel alone. I think the clipping was making them too short. She fell so many times the first couple of days that it really feaked me out And now the lovebirds keep falling I'm scared they'll hurt themselves. When you get Linus's nails done, do they cut them first and then use the dremel? Or just use the dremel alone? |
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Saturday February 18, 2006 12:24 am |
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ekkiemom
Fledgeling
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 203
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA |
Hi Shirin:
We only use the dremel. no cutting. Just enough to keep the points dull.
I believe that as long as you remove any loose threads from the rope perches they are safe even with longer nails.
Genny |
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Saturday February 18, 2006 12:30 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
The dremel sounds like a good idea. I'm not real sure what our vet uses, I will ask him next time I take Manu in. |
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Saturday February 18, 2006 2:34 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7967
Location: Australia |
I use an emery board for Apollo's nail. I give him a quick file every two weeks or so... This is just to keep the nail from getting too pointy.  |
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Sunday February 19, 2006 6:14 am |
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Yupra
Flying tumbler
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 2206
Location: CA |
So would using my regular nail fail on my little budgie be ok? |
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Monday February 20, 2006 1:27 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Yes, that's fine if she lets you  |
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Monday February 20, 2006 1:32 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7967
Location: Australia |
yeah regular emery board is ok. Make sure the nail file isn't the metal type. It's a lot harsher on the bird's nail. |
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Monday February 20, 2006 2:41 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10070
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| Re: Nail clipping |
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I clip my bird's nails when they're too sharp. I just clip small bits. Just to lessen the sharpness.. You can also file, but I find clipping much easier! |
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Monday February 20, 2006 6:32 pm |
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