Leopard tortoise long nails

[Rhea&Hendricks]

hi I have a leopard tortoise and his nails are getting pretty long he is only little and my boyfriend has said I can't cut them ..... What should I do file them with a nail file ? Please help as not wanting to hurt him Thankyou

 

[Tyanna]

Post of picture of the nails if you can so we can tell you if they really should be cut or not.

Some people use an emery board to file them down, but it's stressful for you and tort and shouldn't be done if not necessary.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi, this is something I thought about as far my tort is concerned. However, I'd take it to a vet for such an "operation" if so I may call it. Good luck and take care whatever you decide to do.

 

[wellington]

We need to see a pic. Very unusual for a little tortoise to need its nails trimmed. One thing that will help to keep them filed down is to feed him on a flat rock or piece of tile. Also putting a few around the enclosure. The feeding tile will also help keep his beak trimmed.

 

[Katherine]

Substrate to burrow in so she can put them to use no need to nail trim a young tortoise

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I have several flush laying cement pads around the enclosure. They seem to do the trick. Should you have some siptic powder nearby if you decide to trim them your self? I have siptic powder for my dog and birds in case there is any bleeding.

 

[Prairie Mom]

I'm a new sulcata owner. When I first got my tortoise, the poor girl had REALLY long obviously overgrown razor sharp nails (I don't think she ever was out of an aquarium previously). Taking her on regular outings around the yard and allowing her to walk on the concrete patio and sidewalk naturally filed them down on their own. The back legs took a bit longer that the front, but they are filing down nicely. Her nails are much better in just about a month's time. I agree with the suggestions to use tile or concrete slabs in the enclosure. I plan to use cheap garden path/paving stones in parts of my winter enclosure. I found that putting them around the water dish helps keep the water cleaner too.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Make sure that the tiles or cement pads lay flush with the ground. They will also wear down the shell plastron if it drags across.