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Trimming your dog’s nails is not usually considered sharing
“quality time” with your beloved pet. But when done often
enough, with the proper technique, and rewards for your dog’s
good behavior, it should be one of those regular grooming events
that your dog will tolerate if not look forward to.
If not done often enough, with proper technique, and reward-
training, it can be frightening and even painful for your dog. In
this article are answers to many common dog nail clipping questions
as well as tips on proper equipment and technique that will give
you the advantage when you approach this simple home dog-grooming
necessity.
Is dog nail trimming painful to my dog?
Dog nail trimming is not painful if you use a sharp nail trimmer
and don’t clip the nails too short. A dull trimmer can put a
lot of pressure on your dog's toenail before it actually cuts
through the nail. If this happens your dog may feel an
uncomfortable pinching sensation. This is because the vein in the
toenail is being squeezed. To avoid this always make sure that
you're using a sharp pet nail trimmer.
What tools do I need to trim my dog’s nails?
You will want to have a sharp clipper designed for dog nail
trimming. Dogs come in all sizes so choose a nail trimmer
that’s right for the size of your pet’s nails. The most
common types of nail trimmers are the guillotine, pliers and
scissor styles.
Guillotine style dog nail trimmers require that the dog’s nail
be inserted through a hole in the top of the trimmer. As the
handles are squeezed together the blade comes down and cuts through
the nail. Many people find guillotine style clippers more difficult
to use on large breed dogs. Thicker nails can be more difficult to
insert into the guide hole in the clipper. These dog nail trimmers
have a cutting blade that must be changed frequently to maintain a
nice clean cut.
Pliers style dog nail trimmers work similar to pruning shears. The
two notched blades surround and cut through the nail as the handles
are squeezed together. Some people like this style because they can
see exactly where the blade will cut through the nail. If you have
a large dog this type of trimmer works great on thick nails.
Just make sure to select a heavy-duty clipper designed to cut
through the thick toenails of your large breed dog. Pliers style
trimmers are available for small, medium and large dogs. These dog
nail trimmers don’t have blades that need to be replaced but
they do need to be sharpened when they become dull.
Scissor style dog nail trimmers work just like a pair of scissors.
The two scissor-like notched blades surround and cut through the
nail as the handles are closed. These clippers are for light duty
jobs only. These are not actually dog nail trimmers. They are best
used for cats, birds and other small animals. Some people do use
them on small dogs. They’re usually labeled as cat/bird claw
clippers.
The style you choose for your dog nail trimming needs is a matter
of personal preference. If the clipper is the correct size it will
get the job done. Just remember to keep your nail trimmer sharp so
that it makes a fast clean cut. A dull clipper can pinch the nail,
which will result in discomfort to your dog.
In addition to good quality nail trimmers, it is also recommended
to have a pet nail file. You’ll find that it is much easier to
file down any rough edges with a nail file that has been designed
for the shape of your dog’s nails.
Next on the list is styptic powder. It’s always a good idea to
have it on hand for those occasional mishaps. A nail clipped just a
little too short tends to bleed a lot. Applying some styptic powder
will help stop the bleeding.
Finally, keep plenty of dog treats on hand to reward good behavior.
You can also use dog treats to distract your pet during dog nail
trimming. Treats work great to draw a dog's attention away from a
bleeding nail.
Why do my dog’s nails need to be trimmed
regularly?
When a dog’s nails become too long they
interfere with the dog’s gait and as the nails continue to
grow, walking will become awkward and painful. Untrimmed nails can
also split resulting in a great deal of pain, bleeding, and a trip
to the veterinarian’s office. In severe cases a dog’s
nails can curl under and grow into the pad of the dog’s paw
causing a very serious and painful infection. These types of
ingrown nail problems are most common on the dewclaws.
The dewclaws are the nails located on the inside of the paw. Many
breeders have the dewclaws removed shortly after puppies are born,
so not all dogs will have dewclaws. If your dog has them remember
to include them in your dog nail trimming routine. These nails
don’t touch the ground, so they don’t wear down as fast
as the others as your dog walks on rough surfaces. Trimming your
dog’s nails regularly will easily prevent these
problems.
How do I know when my dog’s nails need to be
trimmed?
When your dog’s nails are beginning to curve is one indication
that your dog’s nails need a trim. And if you hear a clicking
or tapping sound as your dog walks across a bare floor it’s
definitely time for a nail trimming. But it is best not to wait
that long – once or twice a month is usually a good rule of
thumb for dog nail trimming.
If you let your dog’s nails grow too long then it could take
some time to get them back to a healthy length again. Regularly
trimming the tips of your dog’s nails is the best approach.
Some dogs walk and run on rough surfaces and are able to wear down
their nails, but most dogs will need some help. You will get to
know how fast your dog’s nails grow if you routinely inspect
your pet’s nails.
Even if you don’t actually trim them each time, regular
inspection will help assure that your dog’s feet stay healthy.
So, make nail inspection and trimming an important part of your
dog’s routine grooming.
When should I start trimming my dog’s nails?
If you’re starting with a puppy the answer is as soon as you
bring your new puppy home. If you have an adult or an older dog the
answer is pretty much the same – right now. If you start early
it probably will not take too long for your puppy to adjust to a
nail trimming routine. Make a habit of handling your puppy’s
feet everyday. Nail trimming will be much easier if your puppy
doesn’t mind having his feet handled.
Adult dogs, just like people, are usually set in their ways. So if
your adult dog initially resists getting his nails trimmed you will
most likely need to spend a lot more time getting him used to the
procedure. As with a puppy, it’s a good idea to start getting
your dog used to having his feet handled before you attempt to clip
your dog’s nails. Be very patient and don’t rush into the
procedure.
Bring out the clipping tools ahead of time and let your dog become
familiar with them. It is important that you remain calm. If
you’re nervous, your dog will sense it and associate fear or
uncertainty with dog nail trimming. If your dog is nervous use
gentle reassurance, but don’t coddle your dog. Let your dog
know that you expect him to behave, but don’t push it too
far.
If your dog can only manage to tolerate getting one toenail trimmed
that’s all right. Just be persistent and try for another nail
at another time. And always remember to reward good behavior with
your dog's favorite treat.
How can I cut my dog’s nails when he doesn’t like his
feet touched?
Have patience and start working on getting your dog used to having
his feet handled. This must be done gradually, so don’t rush
it. Try gently touching one foot while your dog is asleep. If your
dog wakes up be very casual about it. Just remove your hand and act
as if you didn’t even notice that you were touching his paw.
Anytime your dog resists don’t react, just ignore the fact
that you were even holding his paw and try again another time.
Repeat this process and over time your dog will adjust to having
his feet handled and you should even be able to start touching
individual toes without an adverse reaction.
Whenever your dog allows you to touch his feet always remember to
praise your dog and give him a dog treat. Your dog will begin to
associate having his feet handled with a pleasant experience. Bring
out the nail clippers when your dog is very comfortable with you
handling his feet and you are confident that you have gained your
dog’s trust.
Will my dog ever adjust to getting her nails trimmed?
Many dogs may never like to get their nails trimmed, but if done
regularly over time, dogs can learn to sit through this routine
grooming procedure. Other dogs may never sit still. If you
can’t get your dog to sit still you may need to recruit the
help of another person to hold your dog while you trim her nails.
While some dogs can be distracted by dog treats alone, others may
also have to be held. You may want to try clipping your dog’s
nails after a full day of exercise when your dog is looking to take
a long nap. Tired dogs tend to be less resistant.
If you know that your dog tends to bite when stressed out, for
safety sake you should muzzle your pet before you begin a dog nail
trimming procedure. If the task of trimming your dog’s nails
proves to be too much, find a professional dog groomer or
veterinarian for this part of your dog’s routine grooming. If
you can’t get your dog to cooperate it’s better that your
dog doesn’t associate you with this negative experience. If
you know that your dog tends to react in an aggressive manner, be
sure to let your groomer know what to expect so that the necessary
safety precautions can be taken before they begin a dog nail
trimming session.
What is the quick and what do I need to know about it?
The quick is the living part of a dog’s nail and has blood
vessels running throughout. Cutting into the quick during dog nail
trimming is painful for your dog and will result in bleeding. If
your dog has light colored nails your job will be easier since you
will be able to see the quick. It will be impossible to see the
quick if your dog’s nails are black or dark in color. If your
dog has at least one light colored nail you can usually use that
nail as a guide for the others. If dog nail trimming is completely
new to you, ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to
trim your dog’s nails or consult a good dog care book.
Another important fact to note is that the quick grows with the
nail. As a dog’s nails grow longer the quick will also
lengthen. So if your dog’s nails are over grown you will not
be able to clip the nails to the desired length without cutting
into the quick. You will need to trim the tips of your dog’s
nails often and over time the quick will shorten. To avoid cutting
into the quick you’ll want to start by trimming small pieces
of the nail until you get the hang of it.
Help, I’ve cut my dog’s nail too short and now my dog
is bleeding! What do I do now?
Don’t panic. Your dog is in a little pain but the prognosis is
good – your dog will live! You’ve cut into the quick, the
blood-filled tissue in your dog’s nail. To stop the bleeding
take a pinch of styptic powder and press it against the bleeding
toenail. Now give your dog lots of treats. The nail should stop
bleeding in about 5-10 minutes.
Try not to baby your dog too much. You don’t want to bring a
lot of unnecessary attention to the injured nail. You’ll be
surprised at how easily your dog will be distracted by the dog
treats if you’re not making a big deal out of the bleeding
toenail. So just stay calm and upbeat and you may be able to finish
your dog nail-trimming task.
If your dog is calm and enjoying the treats it's best to continue
trimming. If you didn’t finish with the paw that you were
working on you may want to continue on another paw and come back to
that one after you have finished the rest. If your dog is too
excited you may need to try again at a later time. Don’t be
discouraged, even professional dog groomers occasionally cut into
the quick.
If my dog’s nails are over grown how can dog nail trimming
get them back to a healthy length?
You will need to trim your dog’s nails regularly. Start by
clipping very small pieces of the nail tip until you can see a
dark, round, kind of moist looking disk appear in the middle of the
nail. This means you’re approaching the quick and the nail
will bleed if you cut it any shorter.
Try trimming this far every week or two and the quick will
gradually recede. Over time the length of the nail can be
shortened. Cutting into the quick to shorten a dog’s over
grown nails could lead to an infection. If your dog’s nails
are extremely over grown and this condition is causing health
issues consult your veterinarian immediately.
Trimming your dog’s nails is one of the regular home dog
grooming tasks that helps to keep your dog healthy and active. As
with most dog grooming tasks, rewarding your dog for positive
behavior is an important part in your dog’s acceptance of the
activity. It’s always best when your dog can associate the
attention you lavish on him or her with a positive, happy memory.
Learning the tricks to proper dog nail trimming, training your dog
with positive feedback, and showing patience and love will make the
time you spend together a reward in itself.
About the Author: Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com a website dedicated to providing dog care advice on a broad range of dog-related topics. Includes informative articles, frequently asked questions, recommendations, and Free Ezine.
Copyright 2004 Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission