Things You'll Need
- Old towel
- Helper
- Human or bird nail clippers
- Damp cotton swab
- Styptic powder
Instructions
Hold your turtle between your knees on an old towel. The towel catches any mess if the turtle eliminates during the procedure. You can also ask a helper to restrain the turtle for you by clutching the sides of the shell.
Grasp one foot gently, but securely, in one hand and keep the toes spread. Don't allow your turtle to draw the foot back into its shell.
Trim just the tip of the nail using the clippers in your other hand. If you cut into the nail's quick, dip your damp cotton swab into the styptic powder and apply the powder to the bleeding nail.
Go around the entire turtle, trimming all four feet.