| Every pet has specific needs, and these needs vary | | | | human heating pad is a great tool for relaxing your |
| per species. Iguanas are no different. It is your | | | | iguana prior to the procedure. If your iguana is fussy |
| responsibility as a pet owner to respond to your | | | | about the trimming procedure, it is because he is not |
| animal's needs and care for him properly. | | | | feeling secure and relaxed. |
| One specific maintenance procedure in caring for your | | | | Cut only one single claw at a time and have a routine |
| iguana is claw trimming. This is not a time consuming | | | | pattern you follow. Move slowly, and pay attention |
| task, and it should be performed regularly and | | | | to all areas of the iguana's body so you do not |
| correctly. | | | | accidentally pinch another finger in the process. |
| Untrimmed claws present many problems. First of all, | | | | If your iguana happens to jerk his finger or toe back |
| they can hurt you a great deal when you handle your | | | | during the trimming, don't force the issue by gripping |
| iguana. Secondly, iguanas with sharp lengthy claws | | | | the clippers tightly. Instead, just let go, and give your |
| can inflict injury to themselves, as well. | | | | pet a few minutes before resuming the procedure. |
| As an iguana's claws grow, they form into a "curved" | | | | It is best to cut too little than too much when you |
| shape. This causes the nails to get caught on the | | | | trim an iguana's claws. You can always trim off more |
| cage wire, which can result in a nail being snatched | | | | later, but you cannot take back a painful nicking. If |
| off or even worse. | | | | you do happen to cut into your pet, don't panic. It |
| The goal of the nail clipping is not to snip it down to | | | | does not hurt as bad as you may think, depending on |
| the very base. You want to remove the sharp | | | | the severity. After you have some practice, you will |
| needlepoint portion of the claw so it does not have | | | | know exactly how much to trim off from experience. |
| "puncture" capability. You want your iguana's claws to | | | | The quick of an iguana's nail appears as a black line |
| be dull, not razor sharp. | | | | through the middle of its claw. The quick extends |
| Trimming your iguana's claws may hamper his climbing | | | | down the claw to the very tip. You want to trim the |
| ability somewhat. Some people have found that | | | | part of the claw that is below the quick, only the |
| modifying the habitat is a solution. You can modify | | | | very tip. You just want to clip off the sharp pointed |
| your iguana's climbing accessories by providing | | | | part. |
| additional "branches" or "rungs" to improve his grip. | | | | You can file the rough tip of the nail down after |
| You can also add grooves in the added branches to | | | | clipping if you iguana does not make too much of a |
| give him a better foothold. If you only clip the sharp | | | | fuss. It is not necessary, though, and your iguana |
| ends of the claws, the climbing issue is often not | | | | may not be cooperative enough. |
| even a problem. | | | | Keep styptic powder handy to stop the bleeding just |
| When your iguana is younger, his claws will grow | | | | in case you do cut too much. Other things you might |
| faster and require more frequent trimmings. Once the | | | | try are soap, cornstarch, or flour. Styptic powder is |
| iguana matures, his growth will slow and the number | | | | inexpensive and one container will last you a while, |
| of trimmings required will decrease as well. | | | | unless of course you are a butcher of a nail trimmer. |
| You and the iguana will both get used to the | | | | Some iguana owners like to soak their iguana a half |
| trimming process after you have practiced a few | | | | hour or so before they trim their nails, claiming it |
| times. Just be cautious and careful not to harm your | | | | makes the nails softer. You might consider letting |
| pet. You do need to be in full control, though, and | | | | your herp veterinarian trim your iguana's nails the first |
| your iguana needs to sense that. The younger the | | | | few times, allowing you to observe. |
| iguana is when you start a regular trimming process | | | | In the beginning and until you are more experienced, |
| the better. | | | | you might enlist the help of a friend or family |
| Reptile claw clippers are the recommended tool for | | | | member to assist you in the nail trimming procedure. |
| the job. You can use other items such as scissors or | | | | Some iguana owners use a towel to "wrap up" the |
| human toenail clippers, but claw clippers designed | | | | iguana, gently pulling out only one foot or hand at a |
| specifically for this purpose work well. | | | | time, trimming, then replacing in the towel "wrap" until |
| You should choose an area where you will trim your | | | | the job is finished. |
| iguana's claws and make that the routine trimming | | | | As you and your iguana both become adjusted to |
| area. The area might also be where you provide | | | | the procedure, it is much easier than you may think |
| other routine and first aid treatments. You want your | | | | to maintain your iguana's claws. Have the proper tools |
| iguana to associate this area with "good" helpful | | | | for the job, and know what you are doing ahead of |
| procedures, not negative ones. | | | | time. You will be an expert claw trimmer in no time |
| You can offer your iguana a treat before you | | | | at all. |
| perform the trim and again after you are finished. A | | | | |