How to Cut a Turtle's Nails

Written and verified by the biologist Cesar Paul Gonzalez Gonzalez

Last update: 29 December, 2022

Turtles are one of the most famous and common species found in captivity, as people think they’re quite easy to be kept as pets. Although it’s true that they don’t need a lot of care, you do need to pay attention to several characteristics regarding their physique and environment. In this article, we’ll look at the important task of cutting your turtle’s nails.

The most common species found in homes is the pond slider (Trachemys scripta). Despite being an aquatic animal, it has claws on its hands that help it to move both in water and on land. In fact, in some cases these “nails” grow too long and may need to be trimmed. Continue reading this article and find out how to go about this process.

Is it necessary to cut a turtle’s nails?

If you’ve kept such a reptile before, you may find it strange to hear that it’s possible to cut its nails. This is because, in most cases, it isn’t necessary to trim their claws, as they naturally wear down as they go about their normal business. Also, if you aren’t careful and experienced in carrying out this type of procedure, you could harm the turtle.

The only reason the owner should cut the turtle’s nails is if it’s recommended by the veterinarian. In fact, the task should be carried out by an expert and not the owner, as only the expert has real knowledge about the animal’s physiology. If you have the experience and approval of a specialist, you can perform the procedure but under your own responsibility.

Are long nails a problem for turtles?

Long nails aren’t usually a problem for turtles; they’re even an advantage because they help them to dig and move stones more easily. It’s logical to think that they can hurt themselves with them, but this isn’t usually possible because of the shape of its body. If, for any reason, you notice that your pet is having problems because of its claws, then you should go to see the veterinarian for a consultation.

What do I need to cut my turtle’s nails?

If you really do need to cut your turtle’s nails and you have the approval of an expert, you’ll need the following to carry out the process:

• Nail clippers (special ones for pets): The ones normally used for cats work quite well. If you need to cut a larger turtle’s nails, then you could opt for the dog versions.
• Towel: This helps to hold the reptile down with something soft, but also gives you the grip you need to avoid accidents.
• Disinfectant (iodine): In case you accidentally cut your pet and there’s bleeding, you should apply it to prevent infections. The solutions should be diluted at 10% with water.

Steps to trim your turtle’s nails

The following steps should only be considered as a reminder of your veterinarian’s instructions. Remember that you can harm your turtle and cause an infection if you perform the procedure incorrectly. If you still wish to perform the procedure yourself, consider the following steps:

1. Prepare everything before taking the turtle out of its habitat: Reptiles don’t usually enjoy being handled, so they’ll become restless from the moment you take them out until they return home. Minimize this time and have everything on hand to minimize the stress of this process.
2. Cover the reptile with a towel: This will help you get a better grip and make it easier to keep it still. Preferably, ask someone else to help you hold it while you start cutting.
3. Stabilize the leg and start cutting the nails: Remember to cut as little as possible, because if you cut too much you can damage the blood vessels and harm your turtle. Some nail clippers have lighting to see where the “root” of the blood vessels starts. This facilitates the process and helps to prevent accidents.
4. In case of bleeding, apply disinfectant: If the worst happens, just apply disinfectant to the wound and take the turtle immediately to the veterinarian. It’s very likely that bleeding is nothing to worry about, but if not taken care of properly, it could become severe enough to cause death.

Is it easy to perform this procedure?

The process of cutting a turtle’s nails is quite complex, as fear causes them to retract their limbs and it’s difficult to bring them out again. It’s crucial to be patient and under no circumstances shake them, hit them, or pull them too hard. All you’ll do is to hurt the turtles even more. Remember that if you don’t think you’re capable of carrying out the process, you can always go to see a veterinarian.

As you can see, cutting a turtle’s nails is something that isn’t too common. However, it’s always better to go and see an expert who can take care of it as it deserves. It’s quite normal to want to help your pet, but this isn’t always possible and sometimes causes even more harm.