Depending on how close your dog is, you might hear their nails clicking on the tile floor as they approach. Trimming your dog's nails is an essential part of every pet owner's grooming routine. A dog's long nails are unsightly, but they can also be detrimental to their health and well-being. Failing to care for your dog's nails could leave them suffering for the rest of their life.
While clipping your dog's nails can be daunting, sending your dog to the groomer for a nail trim can be both expensive and time-consuming. It doesn't have to be a worry! Dog grooming was a thing of the past for me, and I'm here to show you step-by-step how to clip dog nails, just like I did in my previous profession.
Can you tell when a dog's nails have grown too long?
You'll know it's time to trim your dog's nails when you see any of the following signs: you can hear them clicking together when they're on a hard surface or the sidewalk. It's helpful to think of these clicks as an automatic reminder to trim the nails.
Those who have a dog that spends most of its time on carpet or grass will need to pay more attention to when to trim their dog's nails. The area of the nail that can be trimmed is generally noticeably thinner than the rest of the nail, making it easier to trim than the rest.
We have a reward for you if your dog's nails are bright white. It's easy to see when they're getting too long because you can see through the pink nail (also known as the vein), which is visible. Your dog's nails may be too long if there's significant white outside the pink area. Don't worry if your dog's nails are black; follow the "slender curve" rule described above and trim small amounts to ensure you don't go too far.
What happens when we don't cut a dog's nails?
Long nails can have several negative effects on your puppy's health and well-being in several ways.
These are the short-term effects of having long nails:
- Each toe is pressed against the other or bent to one side, causing discomfort while walking.
- Occasionally, long nails can grow into the sole of the foot, causing discomfort and infection.
- They can get tangled in rugs, bedding, and even their collars if they're not careful.
Long-term consequences of having long nails include:
- The quick can grow too long, making it difficult to keep the nails short enough.
- Arthritis in the foot can be caused by chronically long nails.
- The unique walking posture that results from wearing long nails can lead to various joint disorders.
What is a dog's speed and what happens when it gets cut?
The quick vein in your dog's nail runs through it. If you cut it, it will sting and bleed for a while. Even experienced groomers trim the quick vein from time to time because not all dogs sit still for nail clipping, so don't be too hard on yourself if this occurs to you!
Cornstarch, flour, or styptic powder are excellent options for trimming your dog's nails. Because it contains benzocaine, styptic powder is the only product that can help relieve pain and stop bleeding simultaneously.
The most effective way to prevent quick clipping is to trim small sections of the nail instead of a large piece at a time. If you have the opportunity to reduce the quick, stay calm. Scoop up a small amount of styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch and press it onto the affected nail for a few seconds to stop the bleeding.
Blood on your dog's coat after a quick nail clipping is completely harmless and can easily be removed with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad.
How to Trim a Dog's Nails and the Supplies You'll Need
When it's time to trim your dog's nails, you'll need to have a few items on hand. These include:
- Keep your fears under control and have lots of patience!
- An extra pair of hands is always welcome.
- Styptic powder, cornstarch, or flour are all excellent options.
- A nail clipper or nail grinder is recommended.
- Treats
Detailed instructions for cutting dog nails
Ready to get started? Here's how to clip a dog's nails.
1. Supplies need to be gathered.
Before you start, check that you have everything you need.
2. Pick up the foot and move it.
While it can be tempting to pick up your dog's paw from the front and examine the nails directly, which is more convenient for clipping your dog's nails, the photo above shows how some pet owners find it easier to sit next to their dog and reach under and over their dog's arm to grasp the paw, while others prefer to sit in the middle of their dog's body. Then, with your free hand, you can trim the hair with clippers if necessary.
Alternatively, you can sit behind the dog and tilt their paw back to look at the bottom of their leg, which is easier for other dogs. (This is the way I like it.) This helps you have a clear view of what you're doing while allowing your dog's paw to move freely.
3. Determine where to cut.
Aim for the shortest nail length possible without causing bleeding. For those who want to avoid fasting, here are some suggestions:
- When doing white nails, avoid cutting the pink part of the nail.
- On many nails, the portion of the nail that can be safely cut is significantly thinner than the rest of the nail.
- If you're trimming black nails, start with a section and work your way up. You'll notice the inside of your nail is chalky and white as you get closer to the quick. Keep going until you see a small black circle in the center of the white area—that marks the end of the fast.
4. This cut uses a 45 degree angle.
After trimming your dog's nails, the cutting edge should be parallel to the floor. To achieve this, cut at a 45-degree angle instead of straight across.
5. Take it easy and gradually increase your speed.
It is better to cut off a small amount at a time rather than cutting off too much at once and causing your dog to bleed.
6. Never forget about the Wolf Claws!
Dewclaws are visible on the inside of most dogs' front paws. The claws are located higher on the thigh than the other toes and are weakly connected.
Because certain dogs, such as Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees, have double dewclaws on their hind legs, it is essential to inspect all four paws.
7. Sharpening nails
You can grind your dog's nails or use them as a finishing touch after clipping them with another instrument.
Hold the grinder at the top of the handle for optimal control. Make sure you're brushing as much of your dog's fur and hair out of the way as possible to keep it out of the way.
In general, gentle to medium pressure is usually sufficient. When you're finished, check for a pink dot in the center of the nail tip or a dark dot in the center of the nail tip to indicate you're done.
If your dog's nails are long and thick and you know the nail is deep in the nail bed, you can apply firm pressure. Remember to keep an eye on the time to see how close you are to reaching the quick.
8. Reward your dog
After your dog's nails are trimmed, always offer them a treat, playtime, or another meaningful incentive. You want dogs to associate nail trimming with something enjoyable rather than negative.
