GET ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT
DOG NAIL TRIMMING
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 behaviour, 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 labelled 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 behaviour. 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.
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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 behaviour with your dog's favourite 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 coloured 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 colour. If your dog has
at least one light coloured 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 behaviour 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.
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