Can You Clip Bearded Dragons Nails (Truth + Tips)

Most people are pretty familiar with trimming a dog’s nails, but have you ever tried it on an animal without fur? Can you clip bearded dragons nails? Many reptile owners believe that because their pet has claws, they can cut them like a dog or cat, but that’s not always true. 

Reptiles—including bearded dragons—have very different nail care needs than dogs and cats, so if you have one as a pet, be sure to learn about the proper ways to care for your bearded dragon’s claws before you try to trim them yourself.

Keep reading to understand how to best clip bearded dragons nails, how to often to clip your bearded dragon’s nails,and so much more.

Let’s get straight to it!

Can you Clip Bearded Dragons Nails?

The answer is yes, but it’s not easy. You can clip their nails if you’re very careful, but it could be dangerous for your pet if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Bearded dragons have very thick nails designed to help them climb trees and dig through the soil, so they’re quite strong. This means that they’re difficult to cut with normal human nail clippers.

If you attempt to cut them at home, make sure that you have a pair of heavy-duty nail clippers available. The best ones are called “guillotine” style because they work like big scissors that lock into place once closed. These clippers are usually used by vets to cut the nails of large dogs and cats but may also be available at pet stores or online retailers. 

If you don’t have access to guillotine clippers, then try using a small pair of regular human nail clippers or even scissors instead (although these won’t work as well). Just be sure not to squeeze too hard, or else you could hurt your bearded dragon!

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How to Clip a Bearded Dragon’s Nails

Bearded dragons are popular pets, but they can be challenging to care for. They need to eat every day and have a place to bask in the sun.

They also have very sharp claws that can tear up your furniture, clothes, and other belongings. One other thing you need to do is trim their nails.

Step 1

Select your clippers carefully. Bearded dragons have tough nails that are often too thick for ordinary clippers. You may need special tools or even a saw to trim the nails properly.

You should also check with your vet or breeder before trimming your bearded dragon’s nails since some veterinarians recommend against trimming them at all.

Step 2

Get your bearded dragon into position before you start clipping its nails. Most people find it easiest to hold their lizard securely in one hand while trimming its nails with the other hand, but you can also use tweezers if you prefer them over clippers or snips. 

Hold the lizard firmly but gently so that it doesn’t get injured while you’re working on it — but don’t squeeze too hard because that could cause him pain and make him more difficult to handle during this process.

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How Often Should I Clip my Bearded Dragons Nails?

This is a question that many bearded dragon owners ask. The answer to this question depends on the age of your bearded dragon, the condition of their nails, and the size of their enclosure.

If you have a young bearded dragon, they will most likely need their nails clipped every month. This is because they tend to scratch at things when they are bored, which can cause damage to their nails or even themselves if they scratch too hard.

If you have an adult bearded dragon, then it’s not as important to clip their nails regularly. You should only clip them if they start to separate from their toes or develop sharp edges that could cut your dragon while they’re walking around in their tank.

If you have an older bearded dragon with long claws, you may want to trim them more often than usual because it will be easier for them to get around without having any trouble with their nail length and curling up over time from being so long.

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Why Do Bearded Dragon Need Their Nails Trimmed?

The obvious reasons would be to keep away those sharp daggers away from our hands so they don’t puncture us owners when we hold them. But that’s not the only reasons.

Bearded dragon are known to be climbers and spend quite a percentage of their lives hanging on branches; and for that to happen they need a well trimmed nails to prevent falling.

We also wouldn’t want their long nails caught on anything as they go by their day to day. When they have long nails, they could easily get caught in reptile carpet.

Final Thoughts

You can clip your bearded dragon’s nails but only do it when the dragon is very calm and relaxed. Bearded dragons have very sharp claws that can easily puncture a finger or toe if you’re not careful. They also have relatively soft skin that tears easily, so be sure to protect your hands with thick leather gloves while working on them.

Bearded dragons often have dirty nails, making it difficult to see exactly where the nail starts and stops. To make this easier, dip your dragon’s foot in warm water for a few minutes — this will soften the dirt and make it easier to wipe away with a damp cloth or paper towel. You might also find that clipping one toe at a time is easier than trying to clip all four at once.

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If you decide to clip your bearded dragon’s nails, ask someone else to hold the lizard while you do so. If there are any accidents — like if they get loose and run away — they will likely run into another room before they try to hide under something or jump out of their terrariums onto the floor (which could break their necks).