Cutting your dog's nails

Depending on how close your dog is, you may hear their nails clicking on the tile floor as they approach. Trimming your dog’s nails is an essential part of every pet owner’s routine when grooming their pet. A dog’s long nails are unsightly, but they can also be detrimental to their health and well-being. Failure to care for your dog’s nails could result in them suffering for the rest of their life.

While trimming your dog’s nails can be daunting, sending your dog to the groomer for nail trims can be both expensive and time-consuming. It doesn’t have to be a worry! Dog grooming was a thing of the past for me, and I’m here to show you step-by-step how to trim dog nails like I did in my previous profession.

Can you tell when a dog's nails have grown too long?

You’ll know it’s time to trim your dog’s nails when you see any of the following signs: You can hear them clicking together when they’re on a hard surface or sidewalk. It helps to think of these clicks as automatic reminders to trim your dog’s nails.

Those who have a dog that spends most of its time on carpet or grass will need to pay more attention to when to trim their dog’s nails. The area of the nail that can be trimmed is generally noticeably thinner than the rest of the nail, making it easier to trim than the rest.

We have a treat for you if your dog’s nails are bright white. It’s easy to tell when they’re getting too long because you can see through the pink nail (also known as the vein) of the nail, which is visible. Your dog’s nails may be too long if there is significant white outside of the pink area. Don’t be alarmed if your dog’s nails are black; follow the “slender curve” rule described above and trim small amounts to ensure you don’t go too far.

What happens when we don't cut a dog's nails?

Long nails can have several adverse effects on your puppy's health and well-being in several ways.

These are the short term effects of having long nails:

• Each toe is pressed against the other or bent to one side, causing discomfort while walking.
• Occasionally, long nails can grow into the sole of the foot, causing discomfort and infection.
• They can get tangled in rugs, bedding, and even their collars if they're not careful.

Long-term effects of having long nails include:

• The quick can grow too long, making it difficult to keep the nails short enough.
• Arthritis in the foot can be caused by chronically long nails.
• The unique walking posture created by wearing long nails can lead to various joint disorders.

What is the speed of a dog and what happens when it gets cut?

The quick vein in your dog's nail runs through it. If you cut it, it will sting and bleed for a while. Even experienced groomers cut the quick from time to time because not all dogs sit still for nail clipping, so don't be too hard on yourself if this occurs to you!

Cornstarch, flour, or styptic powder are excellent options for trimming your dog's nails. Because it contains benzocaine, styptic powder is the only product that can help relieve pain and stop the bleeding at the same time.

The most effective way to prevent quick clipping is to clip the nail in small pieces rather than one large piece at a time. If you have the chance to reduce the quick, stay calm. Scoop up a small amount of styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch and press it onto the affected nail for a few seconds to stop the bleeding.

Blood on your dog's coat after a quick nail nick is completely harmless and can easily be removed with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball.

How to Trim a Dog's Nails and the Supplies You'll Need

When it comes time to trim your dog's nails, you'll want to keep a few items on hand. These include:

• Keep your fears under control and have lots of patience!
• An extra pair of hands is always welcome.
• Styptic powder, cornstarch, or flour are all excellent options.
• A nail clipper or nail grinder is recommended.
• Treats

Detailed instructions for cutting dog nails

Are you ready to get started? Here's how to clip a dog's nails.

1.    Supplies need to be gathered.

Before you start, check that you have everything you need.

2.    Pick up the foot and move it.

While it may be tempting to pick up your dog’s paw from the front and directly examine the nails, which is more convenient for trimming your dog’s nails, the photo above shows how some pet owners find it easier to sit next to their dog and reach under and over their dog’s arm to grasp the paw, while others prefer to sit in the middle of their dog’s body. You can then use your free hand to trim the hair with clippers if necessary.

Alternatively, you can sit behind your dog and rotate their leg back to look at the bottom of their leg, which is easier for other dogs. (This is the way I like it.) This helps you have a clear view of what you are doing while allowing your dog's leg to move freely.

3.    Determine where to cut.

Aim for the shortest nail length possible on your dog without causing bleeding. For those who wish to avoid fasting, here are some suggestions:

• When doing white nails, avoid cutting the pink part of the nail.
• On many nails, the portion of the nail that can be safely cut is significantly thinner than the rest of the nail.
• When cutting black nails, start with a section and work your way up. You will notice that the inside of your nail is chalky and white as you get close to the quick. Keep going until you see a small black circle in the middle of the white area – that marks the end of the fast.

4.    This cut uses a 45 degree angle.

After trimming your dog's nail, the cutting edge should be parallel to the floor. Instead of cutting straight across, cut at a 45-degree angle to achieve this.

5.    Take it easy and gradually increase your speed.

It is better to cut off a small amount at a time rather than cutting off too much at once and causing your dog to bleed.

6.    Never forget about the Wolf Claws!

Dewclaws are found on the inside of most dogs' front legs. The claws sit higher on the thigh than the rest of your dog's toes and are weakly connected.

Because certain dogs, such as Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees, have double dewclaws on their hind legs, it is essential to inspect all four paws.

7.    Sharpening nails

You can grind your dog's nails or use them as a finishing touch after clipping them with another instrument.

Hold the grinder at the top of the handle for optimum control. Make sure you have as much of your dog's fur and hair out of the way as possible to keep it out of the way.

In general, mild to medium pressure is usually sufficient. When you are done, check to see if you have a pink dot in the center of the nail tip or a dark dot in the center of the nail tip to indicate that you are done.

If your dog's nails are long and thick and you know the nail is deep in the nail bed, you can apply hard pressure. Remember to keep an eye on the time to see how close you are to reaching the quick.

8.    Reward your dog

After your dog's nails are trimmed, always offer a treat, playtime, or some other significant incentive. You want dogs to associate nail trimming with something fun instead of something negative.