Nail grinder?

Ezekiell

New member
Jan 31, 2016
111
3
Sydney, Australia
Parrots
Māui (white bellied caique)
So I’ve been doing nail filing training with Maui and he’s doing great. Got used to the feel and sound of the file on his nails, and learnt a command for giving me his foot really quickly.

Although, his nails are growing super quickly. I had just got them down to a manageable length, then we went away last week and when we picked him up from boarding his pointer toe has grown out the cm I just managed to file off!
I think the rapid growth is because he’s molting right now so everything is growing. But he’s a massive fidget so filing each toe can legit take me a few weeks to get them all done.

I’ve seen this marketed for dogs and I’m wondering if it could be used with parrots? Thoughts?
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
That thing for dogs probably wouldn't work well for parrots if it is the same one I am thinking of.
If you end up getting an actual dremel, you have to be very cautious about what way the nail/beak dust is flowing. There have been cases of birds inhaling the dust and having serious problems.

If you find that his nails and beak are growing fast, you might consider checking liver levels if you have not. That can be a reason for rapid growth.
 
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Ezekiell

Ezekiell

New member
Jan 31, 2016
111
3
Sydney, Australia
Parrots
Māui (white bellied caique)
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  • #4

I already have a dremel like that, I use it for my crafting. I don’t want to use an exposed dremel because Māui is such a fidget I’m afraid he might cause me to accidentally dremel this toes off (he likes the feeling so much he will bend his head over my hand and rub his face on my fingers holding his toes).
I was thinking the dog ones, like in the link I posted, with the little plastic cover over the grinder would be a lot safer, especially since he allows me to hold his nail where it joins his toe it’d be easy for me to just modify what I’m already doing with the nail file without the worry that when he rubs his head the grinder will get him where it’s not supposed to.

My partner actually found a different one used for guinea pig and hamsters for $20 that has a cover on it. I’m thinking there’s no harm in trying?


Noodle - why do you recommend checking the liver when nails are growing? Right now it’s just Māui’s pointer toes that have exploded, none of the others and he maintains his beak well. I thought that quick nail growth can sometimes be normal when they’re molting, plus he was in boarding for a little over a week so he didn’t have all his perches that usually help to wear his talons down.
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I just meant that if beak and nails seem to be growing at a faster-than-normal rate and it continues, it sometimes is the result of a liver issue. Not saying there are no other reasons, but if it persists, you might consider a CBC. If he didn't have his perches etc, then it could easily be that.
I am just mentioning that IN CASE it continues. Didn't mean to alarm you, as it could be the whole perch thing etc.
 

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