Did you know that pet birds need their nails trimmed on a regular basis? Yep, it’s true! When in the wild, birds will wear down their nails by climbing, perching, and engaging in normal activities. However, when birds are kept in more domestic settings, they might not be able to wear down their nails properly.
Over time, if a bird’s nails get too long, it can cause some problems and stress. So, nail care is really important. Find out more about this below!
Why Trim Your Bird’s Nails?
Some of the most important reasons to trim a bird’s nails include:
- It prevents injury: Did you know that long nails are way more likely to get caught in things like cage bars, toys, or even your bird’s feathers? This can cause some pretty painful injuries or even broken nails.
- It promotes your pet’s comfort: If a bird’s nails are too long, it can be hard for them to perch properly. The nails can curl under and affect their balance.
- It’s hygienic: Overgrown nails can make it super hard for a bird to maintain proper hygiene. Long nails can sometimes snag their feathers and even scratch their skin, leading to infection and irritation. Bacteria can also accumulate around the long nail, making infection much more likely.
- It protects your bird’s environment: Long nails can scratch and damage furniture, walls, and other surfaces. This is most often seen when people let their birds free roam.
- Broken nails can cause problems: Broken nails can be super painful and even lead to bleeding. They can also become infected if they’re not treated correctly.
Signs of Overgrown Nails
It’s super important to keep a close eye on the length of your pet birds’ nails and trim them often. Here are some common signs that your birds’ nails might need to be trimmed:
1. Obvious curvature: If your pet bird’s nails are curling or growing in weird directions, it’s a pretty common sign they’re too long.
2. Problems perching: If your bird is having trouble gripping its perch, this could be a sign that its nails are too long and not providing the bird with proper support.
3. Nails get caught on objects: If you notice your birds’ nails are always getting caught in the cage bars, toys, or even your clothes, this might mean they’re too long and need attention.
4. Scratching or discomfort: Overgrown nails can be uncomfortable, leading to scratching or other behaviors that come from irritation.
5. Broken or split nails: If you notice your bird has a broken or cracked nail, it’s super important to trim the rest of the nails to avoid further injury.
What Birds Need Their Nails Trimmed?
Every pet bird, regardless of whether they’re large or small, need their nails regularly trimmed to promote comfort and avoid injury. These include parakeets, African grey parrots, and scarlet macaws. If you have a pet pigeon, dove, or lovebird, these animals also need regular nail maintenance to truly thrive. Matters change slightly if you have chickens or other livestock; their nails are naturally ground down by roaming outside.
Trimming your bird’s nails is an unavoidable aspect of bird ownership. As with providing a balanced diet and forms of enrichment, maintaining your bird’s nails is part of being a responsible pet parent.
What to Know About Trimming Birds’ Nails
Trimming your pet birds’ nails requires a lot of patience, focus, and the right tools. First, you need to prepare the tools you’ll need which are a pair of bird nail clippers, a towel or cloth to hold your bird, and styptic powder or cornstarch to stop any bleeding if you accidentally cut too close to the quick.
Before you start trimming, start by handling your bird and touching its feet. Over time, it’ll be way easier to trim your birds’ nails. Then, secure your bird in the towel and begin to examine their nails. Look closely and identify the quick. For dark nails where the quick can’t be seen, just trim a small amount at a time.
You’re always safer to trim less and take off more later to avoid cutting the quick as it’s painful and will bleed. If you cut too far by accident and the quick bleeds, apply the styptic powder or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If you can’t stop the bleeding, contact your vet. Finally, reassure your bird, using positive reinforcement to reduce any stress, and reward good behavior.
When You Need to Call the Vet
So, you’re not comfortable trimming your birds’ nails. Well, that’s fine! Better safe than sorry as we like to say!
If you’re uncomfortable trimming your bird’s nails yourself, or if they have dark nails that make it difficult to see the quick, it’s important to take your bird to the vet to have their nails trimmed. Your avian vet will be able to trim the nails safely and make sure that your bird is healthy and happy. It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet if you notice any signs of injury or common health issues that affect birds.
It is also important to seek professional help if your birds’ nails are overgrown or if they’ve been neglected for a long time. In some cases, the nails will need to be trimmed very particularly to prevent injury or discomfort.
