Is he ready for a toenail trim?

[ReturnOfGiles]

Giles is my new Irian Jaya (I think) juvenile skink. I've had him for about two and a half weeks and he is doing extremely well. I would kind of just like to say what I am doing and maybe get some feedback?
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I feed him: 50% chopped greens (I alternate between collard and mustard), 40% premium canned cat food that is 95% chicken and turkey, and 10% fruits (mango, raspberry, apple, etc.) He's eating very well. Mangoes are his favorite.
Every few days, I get Giles out for about twenty minutes and he has really improved. At first, he huffs quite a bit, but when he settles down, he explores and enjoys having the top of his head rubbed. After I put him back in his terrarium, I give him a snail as a treat, just because he loves them so much.
My main concern is for his toenails. They are not grotesquely long, but they are sharp and could use a trim. He is, however, very uncomfortable with me handling his feet. He will start huffing like a maniac, but he has never displayed his tongue or shown any signs of aggression ever.
I guess my question is, can the toenail trim wait until he is more comfortable having his feet handled, or is something I'll just have to grit my teeth and do?
Thanks,
Spencer

[Linnea]

welcome!

i think you will have to post a photo of him.
it would be good if we could tell you what species and subspecies you have, and it would give us an overall look on his nails too.

normally, a bluey should wear down its nails if there is a piece of slate or the like in his terrarium, and this should be the first option to pick before trimming as it will solve the problem in a long term way. more floorspace to use and move about on helps wear down nails too, since they love digging around and some light exercise (they might find food, who knows?). it takes quite a while for their nails to grow long, so it isnt anything you have caused to happen.
so again, a photo of him and his enclosure.

no bluey seem to enjoy having their feet handled (and it wont get better), i suppose its since theyre so very small and fragile, but if a nail trim really is needed for health reasons (like if the toes start to bend) then a nail trim can definitely be made. Fatal_S made an excellent post about how to trim a blueys nails a few months back....ill see if i can find the link for you.

a note on the food, try to not feed fruits with every feeding. snail treats are super, and could be put in the food mix instead.

my new bluey is also in need of a nail trim, but i am patiently waiting to see how much his larger enclosure will affect the nails. so far it has been a rapid positive result since he has been very active. i may need to cut one of his nails though, i promise to take a photo for you if i do.

[Spindown]

They are too long if they have look long? curling nails are WAY too long...and honestly, you have to do it sometime if its not wearing down on its own. Might as well start now, before its necessary, so you can try it, and give yourself time to perfect it so when they ARE too long, it will be no biggy. I've seen people just leave the nails, and once I accidentally missed one nail it and it got so long it curled over (I felt SO bad but her nails grow SO fast!) Its MUCH harder to have to cut overly long nails.

Trimming them are just like trimming dog nails that are clear, or cat nails. Dont cut the quick and if you are still scared, just nip the very tip of the nail, and as you get braver, you can do more efficient cuts safely. If you do get one, its just like a dogs nail.