In order to properly maintain your dog, nail cutting is a must. Well-groomed nails are an obvious indicator of your dog’s health and cleanliness. If done correctly, a dog nail trimming is a straightforward procedure; however, hesitant owners might leave the chore to professional groomers.
Start handling your puppy’s feet and clipping their nails when they are young, so they develop acclimated to the procedure, as many dogs find nail trimming to be an anxious experience. While you trim their nails, some dogs may happily sit on your lap or on a table, while others might require some kind of restriction.
Fortunately, you can let your dog lick peanut butter off a silicone wall mat while you work on the nails to make the operation more enjoyable for them.
Creating a Comfortable Environment for Your Dog
You can have one of those unusual dogs who doesn’t mind the slightest bit of nail clipping in as little as one week. Don’t give up if your dog takes a bit longer to adjust, though. Remain calm, kind, and upbeat while continuing to give sweets and praise. Make sure the clippers or grinders you use are safe for dogs.
From the very first day, it is beneficial to regularly touch and hold your puppy’s paws (gently and joyfully) to help prevent them from developing sensitivity to being handled on their feet.
Day 1: Give your puppy a sniff at the grinder or nail clipper. Reward and give appreciation.
Day 2: Use the nail clipper or grinder very lightly on each paw.
Day 3: Turn on the grinder and let the puppy feel the vibration or touch the nail clipper to each paw and squeeze it so the dog hears the sound. Actually, don’t cut your nails. Reward and give appreciation.
Day 4: Give your puppy’s feet another touch with the nail clipper or grinder. Reward and give appreciation.
Day 5: Consider cutting off one front paw nail’s a little tip. Apply, to only one nail. Give your puppy lots of cheerful praise and, if allowed, a treat. Just do one, even if he allows you to. Continue daily until he seems okay with you doing this.
Day 6: Consider cutting the tips of just two nails.
Day 7: Continue working your way up cutting a few more nails every day, until all of them are trimmed and your puppy is comfortable. Even if you don’t need to cut your nails, practice. Your dog can become accustomed to the entire procedure, even if you just act like you are trimming and go through the motions.
Nail Trimming for Dogs
Dog nail trimmers come in a variety of forms, including as guillotine models, dog-specific grinder tools, and scissors. You can choose the type that works best for your dog, or whichever type you are most comfortable with. Having some clotting powder, such as styptic powder, on hand is a good idea in case you cut your nail too short and need to stop the bleeding.
Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer of the AKC, advises, “If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, you may want to have your veterinarian or vet tech give you a lesson on how to do it.”
The procedures to correctly clip your dog’s nails are as follows:
1 Grasping a paw, place your thumb firmly but gently on a toe’s pad and your forefinger on the skin above the nail at the tip of the toe. Verify that there are no furry paws obstructing the path.
2 Using the pad, move your thumb slightly up and backward while bringing your forefinger forward. The nail is extended as a result.
3 Just the tail’s tip should be clipped, straight across. Take into account the dewclaws, which are found on the inside of the paw.
4 Steer clear of cutting past the nail’s curve to avoid damaging the quick, which is the pink portion of the nail that houses the blood vessels. There, a cut will hurt and bleed. In dogs with dark nails, keep an eye out for a white, chalky ring.
Stubbing the Nails of Your Dog
How to Cut the Nails on Your Dog
- Grind the nails on your dog with a safe instrument.
- Grind only a tiny portion of your dog’s nail at a time. Give the dog’s toe firm yet gentle support.
- Smooth rough edges by grinding across the nail’s base and then very carefully working your way up from the tip.
- Hold the grinder higher, closer to the top, for more control.
- Make sure your canines are at ease and be aware of any sensitivity issues.
- Make sure your dog’s long hair stays away from the grinding tool to avoid getting tangled.
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Not Trimming Your Dog’s Nails
Maintaining healthy nails is more than just looks. In rare cases, unhealthy nails may result in lasting harm to the dog and cause suffering.
The hard exterior substance known as the shell and the living pink quick make up a dog’s nail. The quick penetrates the nail’s core and delivers blood to the nail. When sliced, the quick’s nerves induce pain and blood. The quick will retreat from the end with regular nail clipping. For the sake of the dog’s comfort and ease of maintenance, short, quick are the recommended length.
Long nails can cause malformed feet and tendons to be injured over time. They can also cause a sound paw to become a splayed foot and diminish traction. The pressure from the extended nail striking the ground forces the structure of the foot and leg. Some dogs don’t require as frequent nail trims, because they wear their nails down.