How to Groom a Pet Lizard

Lizards may seem like low-maintenance pets that need little care beyond feeding and tank-cleaning. However, adding grooming to your list of lizard care creates a happier and healthier lizard. There are two grooming needs your pet lizard has: claw trimming and bathing. Read on to learn how to groom a pet lizard.

Things You'll Need

  • Rocks
  • Human or pet nail clippers
  • Assistant
  • Towel
  • Styptic powder
  • Cotton swabs
  • Nail file
  • Container for bathing
  • Warm water
  • Non-slip surface
  • Washcloth
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Instructions

  1. Care for Your Lizard's Claws

    • 1

      Provide substantial rocks for your lizard to climb on. Rocks help wear down your lizard's claws and are the way wild lizards' claws stay neatly trimmed. A lizard with rocks to walk on may still need claw-trimming, but not as much as she would without the rocks.

    • 2

      Get human nail clippers for small pet lizards and guillotine-style pet nail clippers for larger lizards. If you use human nail clippers, use them only for your lizard to avoid spreading infections.

    • 3

      Find a friend to help you trim the claws. It's a difficult thing to do alone without stressing your lizard. Also gather all the supplies you need: clippers, cotton swabs and styptic powder.

    • 4

      Wrap your pet lizard in a towel to help reduce his stress and make the process easier. Place him in your friend's arms and expose one of his limbs.

    • 5

      Clip the tip of her claws off above the quick, which is the darker streak in your lizard's claws. After clipping the claws on one limb, tuck the limb back into the towel and expose another limb. Continue until each claw is trimmed.

    • 6

      Dab some styptic powder onto a bleeding claw tip with a cotton swab if you accidentally cut your lizard's quick. The powder makes the bleeding stop.

    • 7

      File your pet lizard's claws instead if you're uncomfortable clipping them. Wrap the lizard in a towel as you would for clipping her nails, but file each one with an emery board instead. Though you protect against bleeding with this method, it takes longer and can be more irritating for your lizard.

    Bathe Your Lizard

    • 8

      Fill a sink, plastic tub or bathtub with warm water so it come up to your lizard's chest. For especially small lizards, just cover the bottom of the container with water. Use the smallest container that comfortably accommodates your lizard.

    • 9

      Cover the bottom of the container with a non-slip surface so your lizard feels more comfortable in the bath. Rolling a washcloth up for her to rest her front legs on can also help make her feel comfortable.

    • 10

      Place your pet lizard in the water gently, making sure his head is well above the water level. If you have more than one lizard, bathe them individually.

    • 11

      Rub your lizard gently with water using your fingertips. Rub each part of his body thoroughly.

    • 12

      Remove your lizard from her bath and blot gently with a towel.

    • 13

      Return your pet lizard to his tank so he can bask as he dries off.

    • 14

      Make bathing part of your monthly lizard care, and you can help her skin stay moisturized and healthy.