Does my tort look healthy

[ReddyFreddy]

My Russian has an overgrown beak and what look like long nails. Is this just a sign of too soft foods (spring mix), or mbd. I have OCD so I might just be stressing.

 

[JoesMum]

Put some rough rocks in your enclosure. They will help to wear down the claws as your tort scrambles over them. Russian's claws are naturally pretty long anyway.

The beak should wear down naturally when eating. This one does need clipping.

You have cuttlebone which is good. Food needs to be served on a large piece of flat rock or slate, or even the rough back of a wall tile (not the pretty shiny side) which will help wear down the beak.

Then your tort needs to tear at plants it eats. Grow some in pots and sink them into the substrate. Also don't cut food up small; make your tort have to rip it up.

 

[ReddyFreddy]

He loves his collards, even the stalky parts, and currently eats out of a terracotta saucer. Would you recommend clipping the beak or filing?

 

[JoesMum]

@Yvonne G is the expert on this one. We have never had to clip a beak in over 45 years of tort ownership.

It looks like there's a lot to do from what I can see. I think filing will take too long. Clipping it with nail clippers - a tiny bit at a time; don't try to do big chunks - is the start I'd make.

Or getting a vet to do it may prove simpler and less stressful for both you and your tort.

 

[ReddyFreddy]

@Yvonne G is the expert on this one. We have never had to clip a beak in over 45 years of tort ownership.

It looks like there's a lot to do from what I can see. I think filing will take too long. Clipping it with nail clippers - a tiny bit at a time; don't try to do big chunks - is the start I'd make.

Or getting a vet to do it may prove simpler and less stressful for both you and your tort.

I got a clipper and file board today. I was to nervous to try to try t clip it, but he did real well with the file. I`ll get some styptic powder and try to carefully clip it. Thank you for your advise.

 

[JoesMum]

Cornstarch (Called corn flour in the UK) makes good styptic powder. You shouldn't be going close to bleeding when clipping a beak

 

[Gillian M]

Put some rough rocks in your enclosure. They will help to wear down the claws as your tort scrambles over them. Russian's claws are naturally pretty long anyway.

The beak should wear down naturally when eating. This one does need clipping.

You have cuttlebone which is good. Food needs to be served on a large piece of flat rock or slate, or even the rough back of a wall tile (not the pretty shiny side) which will help wear down the beak.

Then your tort needs to tear at plants it eats. Grow some in pots and sink them into the substrate. Also don't cut food up small; make your tort have to rip it up.

Hi Linda. Could one cut a torts claws? I thought of doing it time and once again but haven't had enough courage.

 

[JoesMum]

Yes. With nail clippers. A little at a time. Taking care not to make them bleed and the blood goes a surprisingly long way down the claw.

Joe has worn his down to bleeding several times just by walking on paving slabs, so personally I would rather put rocks in the enclosure that can be removed rather than clip.