Nails Trimming

How to Clip/Trim a Budgie's Nails?

A budgie claws, if not kept clipped, can quickly get out of hand. If they get too long, they can begin to curl downward, and grow into the bird's feet, causing him severe pain and discomfort. That is why it's very important to stay on top of your budgies claws. Some may prefer to take their bird to a professional, but I've found that it's much quicker and cheaper to do it at home. Here's how.

What You Will Need

1. You will need a washcloth. This will be used to help you hold the budgie. It will protect you from being bitten, and it will help to keep the budgie calm.

2. You will need a pair of clippers. If you don't already have these, they can be found at any pet store.

3. You may need a helper. While it's not absolutely necessary, it will be a great help to have someone else hold the budgie while you clip his claws. Eventually, you will learn to do it by yourself, but for now it's wise to have some help.

Step One

                                         Before you begin clipping your budgie claws, you will need to secure him safely and comfortably in a washcloth. To do this, place a clean washcloth over your budgie, and grab him around his back with your hand.

                                                                                                    Make sure that his wings are tucked in at his sides; if they are spread out and you are attempting to secure him in this position, he could be injured. You do not need to squeeze him, just hold him in place very gently. As long as he can't spread his wings, he cannot go anywhere.

He will probably squawk a lot.
This does not mean you are hurting him, as long as you aren't squeezing too hard. This is not exactly fun for him to be confined like this, so he'll be in a bit of distress.

Step Two

Now it's time to start clipping. Before you clip each nail, it's important that you carefully examine it, and locate the vein. Budgies have veins that run about halfway through the upper portion of their claws. It will look like a red line, and should be clearly visible through light colored claws. You should avoid cutting the vein. Just place the tip of the claw into the center of the clippers, and squeeze the handles together. While this may scare your parakeet a little, don't worry, it doesn't hurt him a bit to have his nails clipped!

 

What if You Cut a Vein?

If you accidentally cut a vein, don't panic! Your budgie will be just fine. Put some cornstarch (baby powder) or some flour in the palm of your free hand, and dip the bleeding nail in it. It will help stop the bleeding. It will heal and your budgie will be okay!

Step Three
After you've clipped all of your budgie's claws, you're finished! Simply release him from your grasp. He will recover very quickly from any stress he may have been experiencing just moments ago. You will need to repeat this process every time you notice his claws getting too long. I have to clip my budgies claws every couple of months, or so. It just depends on how fast they grow, and how well they are being filed down naturally between clippings. If this seemed a little bit scary, don't worry. It will get easier every time you try. You will get more comfortable with the process, and become more confident that you won't hurt your budgie. Just keep at it. If you have any questions or run into any problems, give your local veterinarian a call for some advice. Also, shoot me a comment. I've done this hundreds of times and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!