How To Trim Your Dog's Nails
- December 4, 2007
- 17,241 Views
from
Dorits
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Writer
Ann Hodgman
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Pets Expert
Dorit Shevach
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Produced by
Howcast Media
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Directed by
Kevin Hall
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Voice-Over Artist
Christina Prostano
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Production Designer
Karin Olsen
- Cosmetics Provided by M·A·C
- Animals Provided by The North Shore Animal League
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Music
Edison Music Corp
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Art Director
Dew Gueramian
Pedicures aren’t just for pampered pooches—your dog is descended from wolves, but her nails don’t have the chance to wear down as they would in the wild. A regular clipping every three or four weeks will save her from painful ingrown nails and sore paws.
You Will Need
- A sturdy table or counter
- A towel
- Dog nail clippers
- Tissues
- Styptic powder or cornstarch
- 1-inch-wide emery board
- A helper
- Dog treats
Step 1: Check dog's nails
Check to see if your dog’s nails need clipping. You shouldn’t hear her nails clicking against a hard floor when she walks. If there’s clicking, it’s time for a clipping.
Step 2: Position yourself
Your dog probably won’t enjoy this procedure, so she’s likely to require some form of restraint. Hold her in your lap, or spread a towel on a sturdy table or counter and place the dog on top. Stand on the side of the table opposite the nails you’ll be trimming and lean over her, so you can hold her down with your body, if necessary.
If your dog is large or very wriggly, it may help to have a second person hold her while you do the clipping.
Step 3: Clip nail
Holding one paw gently but firmly, clip the tip of the nail. Clip from underneath, holding the clippers at a slight angle in keeping with the curve of the nail.
Step 4: Clip carefully
Be careful to avoid the blood vessels and nerves that run through a dog’s nail, called the quick. If you cut into the quick, it will cause pain and bleeding.
If your dog’s nail is white, you can see the pinkish quick, so it’s easy to avoid. If your dog has black nails, snip a little bit at a time until, when looking at the nail in cross-section, you can see a darker dot in the middle.
Step 5: Stop bleeding
If you cut into the quick, place a tissue over the nail and apply pressure until it stops bleeding—or try dipping the nail into styptic powder or cornstarch. It’s unlikely that the bleeding will continue for longer than 5 to 7 minutes, but if it does, or if the blood is spurting, call your vet.
Step 6: Trim dewclaws
Don’t forget to trim the dewclaws, located slightly behind the paw on the inner part of the leg. Some breeds have more than one pair on their hind legs.
Step 7: Use emery board
If your dog still has some patience left, it’s a good idea to use an emery board to lightly file the nails smooth.
Step 8: Praise your dog
Praise your dog lavishly before you let her go. That way she’ll come to associate these beauty treatments with extra attention from her owner!
Many companies now sell doggie nail polish—it’s safe for pet nails, requires only one coat, and dries quickly to keep squirmy dogs from smearing it on the furniture.
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Comments (4)
this is interesting but i hope you just colored the cloth insted of cutting into the nails veins
over 3 years ago by J_scap
I am queemish about cutting nails. I have heard electric dog nail files work well too. They safely file nails down without the worry of clipping too much nail.
about 1 year ago by takingcare
Pain and bleeding of the dog followed by the pain and bleeding by you lol.
over 2 years ago by Concardne
I am queemish about cutting nails. I have heard electric dog nail files work well too. They safely file nails down without the worry of clipping too much nail.
about 1 year ago by takingcare
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