does anyone use a nail dremel or have opinions about them? i've had a horrible time with ivy's nails. filing them seems to do nothing, since i quicked her i've been terrified to trim them with clippers, her perches don't do a thing (bottlebrush and dragonwood, she won't stand on pedicure perches, not that i blame her!) her nails are becoming painful again, and she REALLY likes to hang on me like a perch lol. my vet is kinda far so i would like to use him as a last resort if possible, ivy gets kinda stressed. i've heard dremels are great, i know it's what my vet uses. thoughts?

We have one cement perch in each cage which is where they perch to get their food. They don't spend alot of time on it so it doesn't wear on their feet, but slowly keeps their nails blunted. They like their higher perches to spend their non eating time and they are made of wood. We have never used a dremel, it will be interesting to hear if others have.

My vet uses a cordless Dremel.

Liz

Yes, I have used one. If you are going to use it make sure you get her use to the noise first. Start by playing around with it near her cage where she can hear and see it. After doing this for three or four days - give it a try. Like clipping, make sure someone holds her because if you slip with the dremel it can skin.

Ya we use a dremel on the girls too. You do have to be careful, it gets hot so don't hold it on too long. Susan is right that you need someone to hold her. Our girls are used to it and it still stresses them somewhat...Harley more then Maple. Remember you can still make them bleed with a dremel if you grind too far!

Seems like Arty gave one to Rose. They had a picture of it. I will go try to find it.

I got scared after cutting one of Kita's nails too short a while back so if they need a trim I take them to my AV.

I bought a battery operated one at the beauty supply store. It's much smaller, quieter and more inconspicuous than the battery operated "Dremel" brand sold in hardware stores. My B&G Penelope perches on the back of one of my oak high back chairs and actually lifts her foot up now for me to do her nails. It was the best $29.00 I ever spent! She took to it immediately and it's less stressful than getting toweled and clipped since she hates the clippers. Frankly I don't blame her.

We use cement perches and a dremel. It's less stressful than the vet or groomer doing it and our birds trust us enough that the fear/wariness goes away after a couple almonds and orange slices. It is probably different for everyone but once the creature trusts you enough it is a decent method.

Having said that, Jen and I visited our aviary today. I interacted a bit with the owner's Hyacinth and it's the first bird to scare me. I wouldn't begin to try to dremel/restrain it. Maybe it's just me but that's a big animal. A cool and incredibly beautiful animal but one I wouldn't try to towel for the life of me. That beak is scary.