Dog Nail Care: Steps For Trimming & Treating Your Dog's Nails - DogTime (2024)
Some dogs need a nail trim every month or so; others can go for several months without little or no trimming, usually because they do a lot of walking and running on hard surfaces.
Active dogs will wear down their nails on their own, but most dogs need regular nail trims. When nails grow too long, they can make it uncomfortable for the dog to walk and lead to painful, bloody snags and tears.
Without trimming, nails can quickly become ingrown or long enough to make walking uncomfortable. Long nails snag easily on carpet, upholstery, and even your clothes.
One of the main reasons dogs don’t get regular nail trims is because pet parents are afraid to do the job. They fear cutting into the “quick,” or nail bed. This sensitive, pink area at the base of each nail is full of nerves and blood vessels and will bleed profusely if cut.
But if you know how to go about it, you can care for your dog’s nails yourself.
How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails
If you hear your dog’s nails clicking against the hard floor or see them snagging the carpet, then it’s definitely time for a trim.
When trimming your dog’s nails, aim for your the nails to be close to touching the ground or just a bit higher.
Here’s a step-by-step guide that can help you get started:
1. Handle their paws often. Even when you’re not trimming their nails, touch your dog’s paws so they get used to it. Reward them with treats to form good associations with having their paws touched. The earlier in life you start to practice this, the more comfortable they’ll be.
2. Always use a nail clipper designed for dogs. Human nail clippers don’t work well because dogs’ nails aren’t flat like ours. Scissors can also cause injuries.
3. Arrange yourself and your dog comfortably. Some dogs will sit right down in your lap for a nail trim, but you can also sit on the floor next to your pup during the procedure.
4. Reassure your dog. Even if they don’t seem nervous, talking to them in a soft, calm voice will help make nail trimming more pleasant for both of you.
5.Hold each paw as you work, and spread the toes. Be careful to stay away from the quick, which is easier to cut into than you think. The quick is the end of the toe’s blood vessel, so if you cut the quick, the toe will bleed.
6. Trim dewclaws. If your dog has dewclaws, which are remnants of fifth toes, you’ll need to trim those too. Look for them high on the inside of each foot. Not all dogs have them; in many breeds, it is common for dewclaws to be removed shortly after birth. These can get torn easily in the field and are painful.
7. Finish off with a reward. Give your dog their favorite treat and a lot of praise when you’re done, so they learn that nail trimming has its benefits. That way, they’ll be more apt to cooperate next time.
How To Treat An Injured Toenail
If you’ve clipped into the quick of the nail, you’ll know: your dog will probably yelp in pain and start bleeding.
Apply pressure or dab a bit of nail styptic powder, which acts as a coagulant, to stop the bleeding. One major brand is called Kwik-Stop, and pet stores and veterinarians offices often stock it.
If you don’t have styptic powder, sometimes putting the toe in flour will help. Putting pressure on the nail with a clean cloth for five minutes may also stop the bleeding.
If your dog tears a nail before you’ve had a chance to clip, apply pressure right away with a clean rag or handful of gauze.
After you’ve stopped the bleeding, wash their paw with warm, soapy water, and take a good look at the injury. If the nail is simply torn, and you’re comfortable with clipping your dog’s nails, you can go ahead and clip away the damaged part.
When To Go With The Pros
If the whole nail is dangling from a tear, take your dog to the vet to see whether it should be removed. Before the procedure, the vet will numb the area because removing a nail can be very painful.
Tear or no tear, if you’re just too uncomfortable to clip your dog’s nails yourself, take them to a pro.
Do you trim your dog’s nails at home? How do you keep your dog calm and under control while you clip? Let us know in the comments below!
The cutting blade should be closest to you, not the dog. Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. Nails should be cut from underneath at a 45-degree angle.
The cutting blade should be closest to you, not the dog. Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. Nails should be cut from underneath at a 45-degree angle.
Clip only the tip of the nail, straight across. Include the dewclaws, located on the inner side of the paw. Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or you risk hitting what is called the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains the blood vessels). A nick there is painful and will bleed.
What Could Happen if a Dog's Quick is Exposed? An exposed nail quick will likely bleed and be painful to your dog. It is also at risk of developing an infection if left untreated. As a result, it is always best to get your dog seen by a vet as quickly as possible if they have an exposed nail quick.
Clipping and grinding are equally efficient and safe ways to trim your pup's nails. Clippers are cheaper and less noisy, while dremels are louder and more expensive but more precise and efficient. Whichever you choose, nail maintenance is still an inconvenient and challenging task for dog parents.
Nail trimmers (we recommend the scissors-type, versus the guillotine-type, as they provide better control). Nail finder or grinder for smoothing rough edges after the trim. Styptic powder to stop the bleeding should you cut the quick. Cornstarch or baking flour also works in a pinch.
Clip only the tip of the nail, straight across. Include the dewclaws, located on the inner side of the paw. Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or you risk hitting what is called the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains the blood vessels).
The most important thing to remember when cutting your dog's nails is to avoid clipping the quick. The quick are blood vessels inside your dog's nail (you'll even be able to see it if your dog has lighter claws), and trimming into these will not only cause bleeding, but also be painful for your dog.
Is Vaseline safe for my dog? If you're in a pinch and have some Vaseline in the house, it's fine to use on your pup's paws or nose. But there are better alternatives out there, like balms specifically formulated for dogs.
Dr. Hammer says, "The best thing to do is rub Vitamin E cream into the pad just like you would if you used hand lotion on your own hands. But be sure to rub the ointment in well so the dog doesn't lick it off."
Redness, swelling and pus around the nail usually indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Dogs might be unable to leave their paws alone or show signs of pain while walking, as well.
Just like human nails, dogs do not have any feeling in the nail itself, but the quick contains a nerve that transmits sensations back to the brain. When trimming the nail, it is important to stay far enough from the quick to avoid causing pain or drawing blood.
A mix of cornstarch and baking soda often works well (or, simply, cornstarch alone), while rubbing a clean bar of scent-free soap or a wet tea bag on the nail at the spot of lesser bleeding can also be effective. No home remedy, however, will be as instantly effective as a styptic powder.
Instead of making your cut horizontal, I recommend making the cuts very vertical—actually past the vertical. Step by step directions: Gently hold the paw in your non-dominant hand (i.e., left for most of us), and support each toe as you work.
Gently handle their paws without attempting to trim the nails. Reward them with treats and praise for calm behavior. Positive Reinforcement: Associate the nail-trimming process with positive experiences. Use treats, praise, or playtime to reward your dog during and after the nail-trimming session.
From a top view, it is virtually impossible to see the quick. However, it can help to look at the bottom of your dog's black nails; there may be a groove on the underside that separates the hard nail from the soft cuticle. You will want to avoid trimming into the soft cuticle because it contains your dog's nail quick.
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