Trimming tortoise beak and claws?

[speedyTortoise]

Hey guys, I’m wondering at what point should I trim my Russian tortoises beak and claws? Do I have to trim them or just get him a calcium rock? Also, how do I trim his beak and claws?

 

[wellington]

Not all tortoises need to have the beak or nails trimmed. If feeding on a piece of slate or something flat and ruff, and not chopped my food tiny and having proper terrain, they should not need trimming.
Post a pic of enclosure and tortoise beak and nails and we can help you tweak the enclosure and let you know if they need trimming now.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Most captive turtles and tortoises don't ever need trimming. But here is a rescue tortoise who needs constant trimming. She needs anesthesia for any procedure and that costs a fortune, so my suggestion is to follow Wellington's advice and your tort won't ever need trimming....Here's Mary...she just got a beak trim and is very high....but see her jaw? Bad

 

[Tom]

Hey guys, I’m wondering at what point should I trim my Russian tortoises beak and claws? Do I have to trim them or just get him a calcium rock? Also, how do I trim his beak and claws?

Your tortoise shouldn't need either, unless there is something wrong with the housing and feeding.

 

[speedyTortoise]

Post a pic of enclosure and tortoise beak and nails and we can help you tweak the enclosure and let you know if they need trimming now.

 

[wellington]

All looks fine to me.

 

[speedyTortoise]

All looks fine to me.

Alright. Also, should I get a calcium rock for him?

 

[wellington]

It wouldn't hurt.

 

[PollyAda]

Alright. Also, should I get a calcium rock for him?

I'd opt for cuttlefish bone over the branded reptile calcium blocks.

 

[speedyTortoise]

I'd opt for cuttlefish bone over the branded reptile calcium blocks.

Ok, thanks for the help.

 

[jsheffield]

I've only had to trim beaks and toenails of new rescues, and I've been lucky enough to be able to do it at home, with either heavy-duty toenail clippers or a dremel device.

I think feeding the right foods off a tile or stone, and giving them enough space to walk around and dig allows them to keep their beaks and nails in good shape once you've corrected any issues they may have acquired in their previous lives.

Jamie

 

[Sarah2020]

The beak only gets trimmed if over hanging. If you provide fresh greens on a rough texture terracotta flower plant base thhen this will help trim. In the pics the claws are long but OK, you can see the blood, the dark part is close to the end. I agree no immediate action.

 

[speedyTortoise]

The beak only gets trimmed if over hanging. If you provide fresh greens on a rough texture terracotta flower plant base thhen this will help trim. In the pics the claws are long but OK, you can see the blood, the dark part is close to the end. I agree no immediate action.

Ok, thank you for the reinforcement.

 

[speedyTortoise]

I've only had to trim beaks and toenails of new rescues, and I've been lucky enough to be able to do it at home, with either heavy-duty toenail clippers or a dremel device.

I think feeding the right foods off a tile or stone, and giving them enough space to walk around and dig allows them to keep their beaks and nails in good shape once you've corrected any issues they may have acquired in their previous lives.

Jamie

Thanks for the information. My tortoise does a lot of digging so that is good.