Scratchy nails

[LabRat00]

My baby's nails have become really sharp lately. I don't think they need trimmed, just filed. My boyfriend seems to think that a human nail file would work on her nails. Is there a bird nail file I could buy? Or should I purchase a special perch so that her nails don't get this way? She is scratching up my arms pretty bad and it hurts, so any advice would be great. Thank you all.

[judygram]

You can use a regular nail file to trim them but the best thing is to purchase several cement type perches and place them where she is sure to use them, by the food and water bowls, they do a good job with keeping them filed down but they do need somewhat of a point on them to assist them in climbing especially on cloth or rope.

[Dave007]

If you think you can handle your bird so that the nails can be filed, fine. 2 people would be needed. You can also get a concrete perch at the pet store which will also keep your bird's nails somewhat blunted but if they're extremely long right now, they would first hve to be trimmed down a bit. There is no special file for birds. You can take a nail clipper and clip off the very tip of the nail that's pointed. No more than the tip though.

[casper]

The perches work really well! I use these with all my three and it keeps their nails nice and trim.

Like Judy said, use them in a spot they will get regular use, mine are all next to their food bowls, this way I know they are used on a daily basis and not avoided by the birds.

[Tycos_mom]

I had Tycos nails dremeled at the vet the other day her nails where like needle and she weighs 580gr so because she is so heavy and her nails where so sharpe they would go deep into my arm. Now is a dream to pick her up she also has 2 cement perches in her cage and both are beside he food dishes but they never seemed to do any good but now that her nails have been filed with the dremal tool the perches will help keep them that way. I did the same thing to my Amazon a year ago and her nails are still nice and smooth at the ends. You can make an appointment with your vet for that purpose and it only costs about 15.00 worth every penny I would say