Your dog's nails should just touch the ground when she walks. If her nails are clicking on the floor or getting snagged in the carpet, it's time for a pedicure.
Instructions
- STEP 1: Use trimmers designed for pets. Ask your veterinarian or a groomer for advice about what types of nail trimmers are best for your dog and how to use them properly.
- STEP 2: Make sure the clippers are sharp.
- STEP 3: Start at the tip of the nail and snip a little at a time. Look at the cut edge of the nail. When you start to see pale pink tissue near the top of the cut edge, stop. You can use a nail file to smoooth the edges further.
- STEP 4: Avoid cutting into the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. It is painful and will bleed easily. On white nails, the quick is the pink section.
- STEP 5: Be extra careful when cutting dark nails, because the quick is difficult to see.
- STEP 6: If the tip of the nail begins to bleed, apply pressure using styptic powder or a substitute such as baby powder or cotton.
- STEP 7: Avoid wiping the blood clot off the tip of the nail once the bleeding has stopped.
- STEP 8: Remember to trim the dewclaw nail, on the inside of the leg. Since it doesn't touch the ground, it wears down less rapidly than the others.
- STEP 9: Trim nails once or twice a month. The quick will lengthen if you don't trim the nail regularly, and long nails can cause traction problems or become ingrown.
Tips & Warnings
- If you have not cut your dog's nails since she was a puppy or you're uncomfortable with the task, ask your veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate proper nail trimming or to do it for you.
- Give your dog a treat after trimming her nails.
- Never attempt to trim your dog's nails with clippers designed for use on humans.
Comments & Tips
- Styptic - With black claws, clipping too much happens easily. Be prepared with styptic powder or a substitute, such as baby powder or cotton, and a towel before you start clipping.
It's frightening, especially to you, to see the amount of blood and length of time it may take to stop the flow. This is no time to run around looking for a towel. There is a pet product which is powered and antiseptic that works well.
- If you trim with a dremel tool - Paw hair can EASILY become wrapped around a dremel tool if you aren't careful. Ouch! It's very important to isolate the surrounding paw hair away from the nail before you get the dremel tool close to the paw.
- Start when the dog is still a puppy! - Clipping nails doesn't really hurt the dog; it is just not used to being touched on the nails. Start training your puppy as soon as you get it, showing it that it isn't painful. Then - no problem!!
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