How to Cut Your Dog’s Nails
Just like humans, dogs have nails that grow and need to be trimmed regularly. This can often be an arduous process as most canines do not like to have their nails cut and will often put up quite a fuss as soon as they see the nail scissors come out. Here is a “how to” guide to help make the nail cutting process as quick and painless as possible.
Required Materials
Doggie Treats
Doggie Toys
Cornstarch
Styptic Powders
Required Tools
Nail Clippers specially designed for dogs.
Nail File
Instructions
Ask your veterinarian which nail clippers will be best for your dog’s nails. Obviously, you don’t want to use human nail clippers as they are not shaped the right way. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the proper kind of nail clippers for your dog’s nails.
Make sure your dog’s nail clippers are sharp. Dull clippers can prolong the process and can cause your pet pain that is better avoided.
Before clipping, grasp the dog’s nail firmly above the clipper using your thumb and forefinger. If you hold the nail, you will keep any vibrations or tremors from being felt by your dog. It is also easier to clip the nail when you have a firm hold on it. It also helps to hold your dog’s paw firmly with the rest of your hand.
Starting with the very tip of the dog’s nail, cut a little bit at a time, taking care to look at the nail between cuts with the scissors. If you see any pale pink tissue close to the top of the nail, do not cut any further. There is a blood vessel in each nail and if you snip it, there will be bleeding. Use the nail file to smooth down the nail’s edges (if it is needed).
Take extra care if your dog’s nail is dark, because it is harder to tell when you are clipping to far dow the nail.
If you accidentally cut too far and your dog’s nail starts to bleed, immediately apply pressure to the nail. Use the styptic powder if you have it. If you do not, you can use a substitute. Baby powder and cotton work well as substitutes for styptic powder. Make sure you have the styptic powder or a substitute at hand when you start clipping the nails. You don’t want to let the nail bleed, as it can be extremely painful for your dog. Instead, have the powder within arm’s reach so you can immediately grab it if you clip too far.
When the clot forms, do not wipe it away.
Don’t forget to trim the dewclaw, which is on the inside of the dog’s leg. Because it does not touch the ground, it takes more time to wear down than the other nails.
Make sure that you keep your dog’s nails trimmed. They need to be trimmed once or twice each month. If you do not trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis, they will grow quickly. Long nails can easily become ingrown and cause traction issues for your dog.
Make sure that you give your dog a treat after his nails get clipped. Nail clipping is never fun for the dog and they deserve a treat afterwards!