How to Trim Dog Nails
It takes special care and patience to trim your dog’s nails. The good thing is that your veterinarian can give you a good idea of when and how to cut them. In fact, you may even just want to let your veterinarian or groomer do the job. However, if you decide to do it yourself, we have some tips to help you get started.
- Gently hold and squeeze your dog’s paw. This will help extend the nail.
If your dog has clear nails: find the “quick” by looking for the pink line coming from the base of the nail. Important!!! The quick is a vein in the nail that feeds the nail bed. Do not cut this!
If your dog has darker nails: it may be more difficult to locate the quick.
- Wait until your dog is still before making the cut. You may need to have a friend or family member help you with this process.
- Start out slow. It’s better to cut a little twice than to cut too much and hit the quick.
- If you cut a nail and it bleeds, immediately apply some styptic powder and a small amount of pressure to the end of the nail.
- Give your dog praise when the process is done! Encourage them and allow them to realize that getting a nail trimming is not a bad thing.
There are some natural ways that you can keep your dog’s nails shorter. Regular exercise is a huge plus! Walking on sidewalks will keep nails short as paws brush against the concrete. Once again, always contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
