This guide covers nail-trimming tools, handling and safety. No method is risk-free. If your dog is painful, frightened or struggling, stop and ask the veterinary team for a demonstration or a handling plan.
Topics covered in this blog post
Tools needed to trim the nails of your dog:
- For your dog’s pedicure, you only need a few items like:
- Nail clippers for dogs
- Styptic powder (cornstarch or flour)
- A yummy treat
Types of nail clippers available for dogs:
Choose sharp dog nail clippers sized appropriately for your dog and comfortable for you to control. A clipper guard does not identify the quick or guarantee a safe cut.
Scissor clippers:
These clippers bear similarity to the regular scissors but these have shorter and sturdier blades. Depending on the thickness and size of the nails, this type of trimmers may work for larger breed dogs.
Guillotine clippers:
These clippers have a loop where the nail is inserted. Squeeze the clipper and the blade will cut through the nail. These type of clippers are best suited for dogs of small breeds.
Grinders:
Some dogs tolerate grinders better than clippers; others dislike the noise or vibration. A grinder is not automatically best for a fidgety dog. Introduce the tool gradually and stop if your dog struggles.
The plier or scissor style nail clippers are safe to use on both the dogs belonging to large as well as small breeds. However, if your pup belongs to a small breed it might be better to use nail clippers which are made for cats or small pooches.
Use an appropriately sized pet nail trimmer rather than improvising with human clippers. Ask the veterinary team to demonstrate the tool and how little nail to remove.
Use lots of treats
Offer small, frequent rewards during brief sessions. Treats should support gradual acceptance, not distract a frightened dog while you force the trim.
Styptic powder
Styptic powder is a dry medicinal powder which can stop bleeding quickly in case you land up cutting too much of your dog’s nail. Styptic powder will help stop the bleeding soon so that you can protect your dog’s nails. If you do not have styptic powder, you can also use flour or cornstarch.
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How can you trim your dog’s nail safely?
Introduce paw handling and the sight and sound of the tool in small, rewarded steps. Progress at your dog’s pace; some dogs need weeks rather than days. Start with one nail only when the dog is comfortable, and stop before fear or struggling develops.
Once your dog is accustomed to the feel, sight and sound of the nail clippers, you can start to cut your dog’s nails.
How to safely trim your dog’s nails?
Find a quiet area where your dog will not face many distractions.
Choose a secure, non-slip location where your dog can relax without a fall risk. A familiar helper may gently support a comfortable dog, but do not pin down a dog that is struggling. Ask the veterinary team about a low-stress handling or medication plan when needed.
Firmly yet gently hold one of your dog’s paws in between your forefinger and thumb
Make sure you are able to see the entire nail without any hair blocking the view. If needed, you can push down a little on the paw to extend the nail for a clearer view.
When your dog stops fidgeting and calms down, clip the nails straight. Remember the clipping must be done across the nail tip. Do not try to clip the nail behind the nail’s natural curve.
Throughout the duration of clipping the nails, keep offering a lot of high-value treats to your dog. This will teach your dog to associate to the process of nail trimming with lots of rewards. This positive reinforcement will help in future nail trimming sessions.
Filing your dog’s nails
The purpose of filing your dog’s nails is to remove any chipped nail or sharp tips which are generally left after clipping. If any sharp fragments are left on the nail, your dog may hurt himself or herself during the scratching process. He or she may even hurt you during interaction or play time. To file your dog’s nails, follow the following steps:
First take a nail file or and hold your dog’s paw gently while spreading the toes apart.
Use your dominant hand to hold the nail filer. Then gently rub the filer against any sharp edges to get a smooth finish.
How much should you cut your dog’s nails?
The quick contains blood vessels and nerves. Its position varies, and it can extend nearly to the tip in overgrown nails, so the curve alone is not a safe cutting guide. In pale nails, leave about 2–3 mm before the visible quick; in dark nails, take only tiny tips and seek help if unsure.
If you are new to cutting the nails of your dog or if you are worried that you might be cutting too close to quick, you can choose to leave the nail slightly long.
If during the process, you feel that you are hurting your dog or if you feel uncomfortable with the process, stop immediately and call your veterinarian for any further instructions.
How to cut black nails?
Some dogs have white nails, some dogs have black nails and some dogs have a mixture of both. If your dog has black nails, it might be more of a challenge to cut these nails. Since black nails have natural pigments, it is difficult to find out where the quick exactly starts.
For dark nails, start at the very tip and remove only tiny slices, checking after each cut. Do not rely on a chalky white ring as a universal marker of the quick. If you cannot judge how far is safe, stop and ask the veterinary team to demonstrate.
You can also consult with the employees of the veterinary clinic to teach you how to cut the black nails in the correct manner.
How often should dog’s nails be trimmed?
The time between two trims primarily depend on how quickly the dog’s nails grow back and how quickly are they worn down. On an average, the nails of your dog should be clipped every 3 to 4 weeks. However, if your dog has nails which grow faster, you can reduce the time between two trims. Remember, nails should be trimmed to a point where they should not touch the ground when your dog is standing.
Pavement can wear some nails down, but active dogs still need regular checks. Check every nail, especially dewclaws, which do not contact the ground and can curl into the skin.
What to do if your dog’s toenails start to bleed?
If your dog’s toenails start to bleed it can be very distressing for both you as well as your dog. Follow the following instructions to stop the bleeding:
Styptic powder helps to block the bleeding quickly. In case you do not have styptic powder at your home, you can use cornstarch or flour to stop the bleeding. These can be applied in the same manner as styptic powder.
- Take a small amount of the powder on your fingertips and press it on the nail tip of your dog.
- Keep the pressure on the nail for a few seconds to allow the powder to stick to the nail completely.
- If the bleeding continues even after a few minutes, call your veterinarian and get assistance.
Alternative to nail cutting for dogs
Grinding can give more control, but it can still injure the quick. Use very brief passes, check often and avoid holding the tool against one place long enough to generate heat.
Keep hair away from the spinning tool, avoid all skin contact and take breaks to prevent heat buildup. Stop if your dog shows discomfort. Grinding dust can also irritate, so choose a ventilated area.
Before you start to use a grinder on your dog’s paws, it is best If you get your pup used to the feel and noise of the Dremel. Remember to introduce it slowly and give our pups a ton of treats when you turn it on and use it on your boy or girl.
Steps to grinding your dog’s nails:
1. Hold the paw firmly. Keep your thump on top of the paw. Keep your remaining 4 fingers on the under of the paw region.
2. Gently isolate a toe with your middle finger and thumb.
3. Use very brief, light passes at a controllable speed, lifting the grinder away frequently to check the nail and prevent heat buildup.
4. Repeat the same procedure on the other nails as well.
5. Do not increase speed simply because the dog is quiet. Use only a speed you can control safely, following the tool’s instructions and your veterinary team’s demonstration.
6. When the nails reach a good length, you can start to work on rounding them off till they are smooth.
7. Remember to be mindful of the location of the quick.
8. On dark nails, remove only tiny amounts and check frequently. A white circle is not a reliable universal stop marker. If unsure where the quick lies, stop and seek professional help.
Conclusion
Trimming your dog’s nails in the comfort of your home is a more cost effective and convenient process for the dog guardians as compared to visiting the groomer every 15 days. Overgrown nails can be very dangerous for dogs. It is very important to keep your dog’s nails short and clean.
In case you take the decision to cut your dog’s nails at home, make sure that you use the method which is most preferable to your pup. Be patient when trimming and give your dog plenty of treats and remember to go slow. Go slow since this process will be a learning curve for both you as well as your pup. In case you are unable to trim your dog’s nails or are facing trouble during the process, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for help.
Have you tried to trim your dog’s nails at home? How was the experience? Which method do you use for your pup? How long did it take for you to get your pup used to the process> Any other tips and tricks you would like to share with the rest of the world? Please mention them in the comment section before and share it with all of us. If you found this post informative, please subscribe to the blog so I can send you dog care tips and tricks directly to your inbox.
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Shruti
