Nail trimming is an important task in keeping a dog's nails short and healthy. This nail clipper also protects your furniture and floors from damage and scratches! Long nails can break and bleed, or grow back into the dog's paws and cause pain. Dogs can also become limp if normal paw movement is hindered. Regular nail trimming will prevent these problems and give you the opportunity to check for nail abnormalities.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Getting Used to Your Dog
Step 1. Choose the right time
Most dogs don't like nail trimming, so choosing the right time, when he's relaxed, is important. If your dog is in the mood to play, wait for him to relax before you approach him with some practice to get used to.
Step 2. Start handling it gently
Gently touch the soles of his feet. If he doesn't pull on his legs or refuses, start massaging his soles and pressing his nails. Depending on your dog's age and temperament, it may take a few sessions before he gets used to being touched by his paws. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog stops reacting to the touch of his paw.
Step 3. Teach the dog to lie on his side while trimming the nails (do this only if necessary)
If your dog has had a bad experience related to it in the past, he may refuse to trim his nails. For example, if a person accidentally cuts his "quick" (that is, an area of the nail that contains a high supply of blood and nerves), he will feel pain and bleed. Older dogs may have arthritis in their toes, and clipping their nails will make them uncomfortable. For dogs like this, let him lie down while you trim his nails.
- Lay him on one side of the body while you practice touching the soles of his feet.
- Another way to trim nails is to trim them while the dog is standing without lifting the paws. Only do this if you are experienced in trimming dog nails.
Step 4. Examine the soles of the feet for any abnormality that may have occurred
As you massage the paws and nails, take this as an opportunity to check on your dog's health. Tell your veterinarian about any pain, awkward spots, nail damage, swelling or redness of the nails, weakness, or unusual nail color before you start trimming your dog's nails. Trauma, infection, tumors, and diseases Immunity is usually the most common nail disorders found in dogs.
- Trauma usually only affects one nail, and is caused by running on a hard surface, the nail getting caught in an object, or improperly trimming the nail.
- Trauma or health conditions such as diabetes and low thyroid hormone levels can cause bacterial infections of the nails. Bacterial infections usually cause swelling, pain, and discharge around the nail.
- Parasitic and fungal infections are usually less common than bacterial infections, but can cause similar symptoms.
- Tumors can appear in many different forms: a bulge, a lump, a swelling, a reddish patch, or a discharge from the body.
- Immune diseases can also affect nails, making them brittle and prone to fracture.
- Always share the results of your investigation with your veterinarian as soon as possible, so that treatment can be initiated.
Part 2 of 2: Trimming Dog's Nails
Step 1. Use nail clippers made especially for dogs
Human nail clippers are designed for flat surfaces, but dog nail clippers have a cup. Using human nail clippers can crush a dog's nails, causing pain or injury. There are several different types of dog nail clippers, with the most common being the guillotine (U-shaped) type, or the regular clipper type. The type to be used usually depends on the choice of the user.
The "regular scissors" form may be easier to use, as you don't have to slide your nails between the surfaces of the scissors, as you would if you were using the guillotine type
Step 2. Find the quick location
Quick is the part of the nail that is rich in blood flow and nerves. Cutting it can hurt the dog and cause bleeding. As an ideal general rule, trim the nail to a distance of 2-4 mm from the quick.
- If your dog's nails are white, you'll easily see the pinkish quick under the nails.
- If the dog's nails are dark, you won't be able to see the quick. Trim your nails carefully and do it little by little to avoid quick cuts. You can enlist the help of a dog nurse or veterinarian to show you how deep you should trim your dog's nails.
- When a dog's nails grow too long, the quick will grow too. Regular cuts will make the quick shorten again to its normal length.
Step 3. Make sure the dog feels safe
If your dog is relaxed and accustomed to being held on the paws and claws, lay him down while you are trimming his nails. If he is restless, gently hold him down in a lying position, using the elbows and arms that hold the soles of his feet.
If your dog is very active, ask someone else for help. Ask your friend to hold the dog so you can fully focus on trimming the nails
Step 4. Start with the sole of the back foot
The nails on the soles of the hind feet are usually shorter and easier to trim. Dogs are also usually quieter when their hind paws are touched than their front paws, so start there and work your way up to the front paws.
- Find the location or approximate position of the quick before you trim the base of the nail.
- Cut carefully, step by step closer to the quick, and stop cutting at a distance of about 2-3 mm in front of it.
- Don't forget to cut dewclaw on dogs that experience it. A dewclaw is the nail on the inside of the paw that some dogs have, just above their "ankle."
Step 5. Stop the bleeding that occurs if you accidentally cut the quick
A cut quick usually bleeds profusely, and the dog may cry out in pain or bite you if this happens. If you accidentally cause bleeding, press the tissue against the dog's nails for a few minutes. If this doesn't stop the bleeding, apply cornstarch starch or commercial bleeding stop powder, or a pen. Dip your dog's nails in bleeding-stopping powder or apply a generous amount of powder using your fingertips.
If the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes, call your vet
Step 6. Praise the dog regularly
Praise and treats (if necessary) are good incentives for your dog to keep him standing still. Compliment him during the process, and give him a snack after you've finished trimming the nails on each leg.
Step 7. File the dog's nails if desired
Just like human nails, dog nails can become rough and abrasive when they are freshly trimmed. These nails will return to normal over time. However, if you are concerned about your floors and furniture, you can file them to make them smooth right away.
Tips
- Praise your dog a lot afterward so he doesn't feel as though he's just been punished.
- Bathing your dog before trimming the nails can soften the nails and make them easier to trim.
Warning
- DO NOT cut the dog's veins in the nails!
- Cutting off the quicks on your nails and not cleaning them can lead to infection.
- Ingrown toenails should be examined by a veterinarian, and should not be cut by the owner himself.
- If you notice that your dog is walking unsteadily after clipping his nails, consult your veterinarian.
- Always clean and disinfect nail clippers after you use them. Do this to prevent infection.
