I need some claw info
- Thread starter MikeD91
- Start date
My usual narrative...
It's a long-term solution, butttt....
I really recommend getting those nail-trimming perches... they can eliminate nail-trimming, which was always so stressful for me and the Rb. It took a few years, but I eventually established a pattern/rotation that keeps him trimmed. I haven't had to do his nails in 20-plus years. I keep a dowel as the main "highway" down the middle of the cage, but the special cement/trimmer/textured perches are all over.
A few brands... but there are many: Polly's Sand Walk... Pumice Perch... Trimmer Perch...
Be sure to introduce them gradually: they're abrasive to their tender feet at first. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are smooth on top and abrasive underneath. Very easy to install/clean, oo.
Sweet Feet and Beaks Pedicure Perch xsmall for parrots, Feather Fantasy
May take a while to get the right combinations/locations, but was worth it for me and the Rb.
Good luck!
It's a long-term solution, butttt....
I really recommend getting those nail-trimming perches... they can eliminate nail-trimming, which was always so stressful for me and the Rb. It took a few years, but I eventually established a pattern/rotation that keeps him trimmed. I haven't had to do his nails in 20-plus years. I keep a dowel as the main "highway" down the middle of the cage, but the special cement/trimmer/textured perches are all over.
A few brands... but there are many: Polly's Sand Walk... Pumice Perch... Trimmer Perch...
Be sure to introduce them gradually: they're abrasive to their tender feet at first. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are smooth on top and abrasive underneath. Very easy to install/clean, oo.
Sweet Feet and Beaks Pedicure Perch xsmall for parrots, Feather Fantasy
May take a while to get the right combinations/locations, but was worth it for me and the Rb.
Good luck!
- May 23, 2018
- 3,559
- 157
- Parrots
- Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Actually... if they do not bother you (scratching you up) and he can walk just fine (if his feet are flat the nails do not force the toes in weird, twisted positions) just leave them alone.
I do not know if you use one of more pedicure-perches (I forget the official name for them -- the ones made out of concretelike material and are designed to help wear the nails down), but they really help with reducing nasty points.
(Oh great... Gail to the rescue!! She already got that in!
)
Most parrots will groom their nails (gnawing those sharp points back on ;P ) so they are selfsufficient.
From what I read here a lot of vets seem almost obsessed with clipping nails, beaks and feathers overthere without stopping to ask if it is really necessary.
(Yes a polished beak probably looks neat and nice ...but is this worth it to the bird who had to breathe in all that dust? And every claw can be trimmed of course, most birds will have some extra, because they wear out otherwise -- and my heart bleeds for every bird that gets back from the vet with sore feet and is hurting for days - because "it looks better that way".)
If the sharp points hurt you and you are on touchy-feely terms with your bird: just use a cardboard nailfile on those tiny tips.
It will take them some getting used to- but they can learn to tolerate it
(or just plain love it: Japie wil actually drop his favorite food if he sees a chance to get "filed down" / but I think he might be a bit weird ...)
I do not know if you use one of more pedicure-perches (I forget the official name for them -- the ones made out of concretelike material and are designed to help wear the nails down), but they really help with reducing nasty points.
(Oh great... Gail to the rescue!! She already got that in!
)Most parrots will groom their nails (gnawing those sharp points back on ;P ) so they are selfsufficient.
From what I read here a lot of vets seem almost obsessed with clipping nails, beaks and feathers overthere without stopping to ask if it is really necessary.
(Yes a polished beak probably looks neat and nice ...but is this worth it to the bird who had to breathe in all that dust? And every claw can be trimmed of course, most birds will have some extra, because they wear out otherwise -- and my heart bleeds for every bird that gets back from the vet with sore feet and is hurting for days - because "it looks better that way".)
If the sharp points hurt you and you are on touchy-feely terms with your bird: just use a cardboard nailfile on those tiny tips.
It will take them some getting used to- but they can learn to tolerate it
(or just plain love it: Japie wil actually drop his favorite food if he sees a chance to get "filed down" / but I think he might be a bit weird ...)
That is what I do. My Sam will sit for me while I do his pedicure. I file his nails with a thick file, and then massage his toes. He loves it! Usually after his bath, while he is drying in his towel. In the dead of winter when it is really cold and his feet get very dry, I sometimes rub one drop of olive oil into the skin to keep it from cracking.
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