How to Trim your Dog’s Nails

How frequently should I Trim the Nails of my Dog?

The nails of most dogs should be trimmed once a month. If your dog walks on concrete or pavement, you may be able to go longer between trimmings because the rough, hard surface helps to file down the nails. If your dog is inactive and does not spend much time on hard surfaces, you may need to trim their nails more often.

The easiest approach to determine whether your dog needs a nail trim is to carefully examine your dog’s nails. Look at your dog’s nail length from the ground. If they touch the ground, then they are too big and need to be trimmed. You can also tell if your dog’s nail clicks on the wood or tile floor when it walks.

Which type of Nail Clippers is best for Dogs?

Two main types of dog nail clippers are available: scissors and guillotine. Guillotine clippers are designed with a hole through which the nail can be fed. After the nail has been inserted into the hole, the handle is squeezed together to release the blade. The scissors-style nail clippers are similar in shape to a pair of scissors. The clippers come with two blades that move when the handles are squeezed together.

Although many people have a favorite style, both styles are effective on dogs. If you’ve never clipped your dog’s nails, try both styles and see which one works best for your dog and you.

How can I trim my Dog’s Nails Safely?

It is easier to trim the nails of your dog if someone can restrain it. By keeping your dog still and minimizing its wiggles, you will minimize the risk that you will accidentally cut the nail too short.

Take your dog’s foot in your hands and check the nails. You should be able to see the quick in the nail if your dog’s nails are light-colored. To avoid causing pain to your dog, you should cut the nail approximately 2 to 3 mm from the quick. You may not be aware of the quick if your dog’s nails are dark. Trim the tip of the nail in this case. You can reduce the length of the nail by using a series of small clips. Each clip will remove 1-2 mm. This minimizes the risk of damaging the quick. You should aim to stop your final cut near or at the beginning of the curve in the nail. If you come across the quick, however, it is better to stop earlier. Some dogs’ quicks may extend almost to the tip of the nail, particularly those that haven’t had their nails trimmed regularly.

Trim the dewclaws of your dog if they have them (smaller, middle-side nails). Dewclaws are not in contact with the floor, so they can become overgrown. They may even curl around and grow into the paw pads.

How should I act if my dog’s nails bleed after accidentally hitting the quick?

It is possible to hit a quick while trimming your dog’s nails, despite all of your efforts. If you’re making small cuts and only cutting the tip of the fast, your dog will feel minimal pain and see a tiny drop of blood. You can stop bleeding by applying a small amount (available in any pet store) of styptic dust to the nail. You can also use cornstarch or flour if you don’t have any styptic.

What can I do to lessen the anxiety associated with clipping my dog’s nails?

It is perfectly natural for dogs not to like having their feet touched, but most can be taught to tolerate it and even enjoy it. The majority of the time, a dog’s stomach is the best passageway to its soul. By rewarding your pet with treats as you cut their nails, you can make the experience more pleasurable for both of you. You can give frequent, small treats to your dog if you have someone holding him. Peanut butter can be used to get your dog to stay still so you can trim his nails.

Last but not least, follow your dog’s lead. You should not try to clip all your dog’s dog nails at once if your dog is averse to nail trimming. Take your dog to the vet or groomer if you need to clip his nails immediately. You can then begin to gradually accustom your dog to having his nails trimmed. You can use praise and treats to gradually acclimate your dog to nail trimmings. As soon as you are able to handle your dog’s feet without him panicking, start trimming one nail with treats. Trim one nail per sitting until your dog is calm. Gradually increase the number of nails you trim at once and, eventually, an entire paw. After a few weeks of daily efforts, your dog should be able to allow you to complete a full nail trim at one time.

This method may appear time-consuming at first, but it will save you a lot of time over the long term. After a few months of daily, consistent effort, trimming your dog’s nails should be relatively stress-free and easy for the remainder of their life.

Can a filer or grinder be used on the nails of my dog?

Some people choose to use a grinder or file to remove the end of their dog’s nail instead of clipping it. This method has several benefits. This method will first leave the nail end smooth and eliminate sharp edges. This method also reduces the risk of damaging your pet quickly. Some dogs who are averse to nail clipping may be more tolerant towards grinding their nails.

Nail grinding does not come without its risks. It is important to be careful when grinding nails on a dog with long hair. The file spinning can easily get tangled up in the hair. The file can cause severe burns if it slips on the dog’s body. The dust that is created when you grind your nails can irritate people and dogs, so it’s best to do it outside.

You will need to gradually acclimate the dog to the ground nails, just like you would with nail trimming. Begin by clipping just one or two nails and rewarding your dog with food. Gradually build up their tolerance.