Just like any pet parent, you want the best for your dog from head to toe. That’s why learning how to safely cut your dog’s nails and how often to trim your dog’s nails is an important skill for dog parents. After all, nail clipping is an important part of dog grooming.
You can always pay a professional groomer to help you, but with a little time and practice, trimming your dog’s nails can become a do-it-yourself task.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to cut your dog’s nails.
tools for cutting dog nails
Trimming your dog’s nails is much easier with the right tools.
These nail clipping essentials will get your pup ready for his next manicure.
Even better if a friend or family member can help.
Types of nail clipping and nail sharpening
Nail clippers and grinders come in several styles. The best dog nail clipper for your dog will depend on the dog’s size and breed.
scissor clipper
scissors clippers etc. Frisco® Nail Clippersa great option for small dogs. These clippers look like scissors and have notches on the blades to secure the claws.
pliers type clipper
Large dogs require strong clippers to get through thick nails. Millers Forge® Nail Clippers Ready for the mission.
These clippers work similarly to scissor clippers, but they have heavy-duty springs for added strength.
guillotine hair clipper
With a guillotine style clipper like this pair; Resco®when the groomer or pet parent inserts the nail into the hole, the sharp blade pushes up and cuts the nail.
These clippers stay sharp for a long time and are easy to use even on small dogs.
However, Amber Kulwacki, DVM, heart + feetin Philadelphia, generally recommends avoiding them. Because they make it “harder to tell where you’re trimming” and increase the likelihood of cutting quick.
The quick is the sensitive area on the inside of your dog’s nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
nail grinder
This is what dog nail polishing looks like Dremel® Rotary Nail Grinderit works by filing the nail instead of cutting it.
This option is best for dogs with black nails, as it will be easier to avoid quicks.
However, grinders may not be the best option for dogs that jump or become desensitized to the sound of tools.
“When they jump and move around, [you] They are more likely to grind on their paws or skin, or get their fur entangled,” says Nationally Certified Master Groomer (NCMG). Fuzzy Butts LLC In Cincinnati.
How to trim your dog’s nails, step by step
Once you have secured all the proper tools to cut your dog’s nails, you are ready to go.
1. Touch your dog’s legs and feet regularly.
By touching and massaging your dog’s paws regularly, you can reduce the burden of nail trimming.
“If you have a puppy, it’s a good idea to play with his feet and toes as much as possible so that he doesn’t shy away from having his paws touched,” says Dr. Kalwacki.
2. Introduce your dog to nail clipping or clipping.
Another way to reduce stress during grooming is to familiarize your dog with the equipment you will be using.
“Get a nail clipper and feel your dog’s paw with it for a moment before you actually try to cut the nail,” says Sexton.
She also suggests giving your dog lots of treats when he touches the clippers or grinder so he can develop a positive association.
3. Choose a relaxing space with good lighting
A comfortable and quiet environment makes a big difference when cutting your dog’s nails.
Dr. Karwacki recommends a well-lit area so you can see what you’re doing.
4. Keep your dog in a natural position
One common mistake Sexton says dog parents make is lifting their paws out of their normal range of motion.
To avoid discomfort and potential injury, she suggests keeping the dog’s paws close to the surface it’s resting on.
If possible, having an extra helping hand will help keep your dog calm and still throughout the nail trimming process.
5. Find quick
The quick is the cuticle on the inside of your dog’s nail, and as mentioned earlier, it contains blood vessels and nerves.
An important part of learning how to cut your dog’s nails is learning how to spot the quicks and avoid cutting them, as cutting the quicks is painful for the dog and can cause bleeding.
- For bright colored nails, Quicks appear as soft pink areas.
- In dogs with black nails, Fast is not so obvious, so it is better to go slowly. Trim a little at a time and look for the black dot in the center of the nail, advises Sexton. When you see the dot, you know you’ve reached the quick and you need to stop cutting.
6. Start small and cut slowly and vertically.
It takes some time and practice to get used to trimming your dog’s nails, so stay calm and be patient.
Cut the nail vertically along the angle of the nail, or at about a 45-degree angle.
Dr. Karwacki says if your dog is particularly anxious, it can be helpful to start by cutting just a few nails per sitting until your dog gets used to the process.
And don’t forget the dewclaws. These are small extra nails on the inside of your dog’s paws. Just like any other nail, they require regular trimming.
7. Be generous with praise and rewards.
The more positive reinforcement you can give your dog during nail trimming, the better.
Give lots of praise and love throughout the process and keep plenty of treats on hand.
“Using lick the mat and peanut butter or Spreadable dog treats “When a dog cuts their nails, it can be very distracting,” says Dr. Kalwacki.
How to cut your dog’s nails short
Before you start cutting, it’s a good idea to know how short to cut your dog’s nails.
This varies from dog to dog, but in general, your dog’s nails should be cut as short as possible without hitting the quick.
Quick continues to grow along with the nail.
Dogs who haven’t had their nails trimmed in a while will often have longer nails and cannot cut them as short as dogs who have their nails trimmed regularly.
What to do if you accidentally cut the quick
If you cut the quick, don’t panic.
Sexton recommends keeping a hemostatic powder on hand that you can apply to your nails to stop bleeding.
If you don’t have a hemostatic agent, you can use powdered flour on the nail bed (the area under the hard part of the nail, where skin tissue and other sensitive tissue are located), Dr. Kalwacki says.
How often to cut your dog’s nails
How often you should trim your dog’s nails again depends on the individual dog.
In general, Dr. Sexton advises doing this about every four weeks, but some dogs don’t need it as often.
“Dogs that are allowed to walk on concrete will naturally file their nails, so they may not need to have their nails trimmed as often,” Dr. Kalwacki says.
It is important to trim your nails regularly to prevent pain and injury. Long nails can curl under the paw pads, causing infections and changing the way your dog stands and walks.
Nails should not extend beyond the toe pads when the dog is standing. The best way to tell if your dog’s nails are too long is to listen to the sound of your dog walking.
When you hear your nails start tapping against a hard surface, it’s time to trim them, says Dr. Kalwacki.
