HOW TO CUT DOG NAILS

Methods of nail trimming

• Only “scissor” type clippers should be used. Don’t put the dog’s whole nail into the clipper.
• Use a pair of small-sized clippers so you can hold the clippers better. It is only the very large dog breeds that will need a large clipper.
• Keep your tools sharp which means they will need to be sharpened or replaced regularly. The nails will need to be filed down gently with an emery board.
• You must only file the ‘insensitive’ nail part of the nail, never down to the quick part. If you do accidentally cut the quick, you, stop the bleeding. Immediately give your dog a yummy treat.
• Try and make nail trimming fun associating it with praise and healthy treats. If you dread it, your dog will as well. Short nails are imperative to a dog’s health and happiness, and if you don’t do it, you need to let a vet do it regularly.
• Groomers prefer the method of grinding a dog’s nails. It is because it slowly sands down the nail and cauterizes the end. With grinders, it’s also not as easy to get into the quick. When you grind close to the quick, the dog will yelp and you can stop immediately. But with the clippers when you cut into the quick, it is too late.

How to cut dog nails

1. Hold your dog’s foot steady, and gently.

2. Then snip off a small bit off the end of each of his toenails.

3. Place a small tip of the nail in the clipper and snip. If the dog’s nail feels kind of spongy while you’re trying to cut it, stop immediately because you are probably cutting into the quick. Stop any bleeding immediately.

4. If you do cut the quick you’ll have an unhappy dog and he will need a treat, while you clean up the bleeding. The quick can bleed quite a bit, so you will either need a nail cauterizer which will stop the bleeding. Some styptic powder can also be applied using a cotton swab.

5. If you use a nail grinder rather than clippers, use the same method — hold your dog’s foot, turn on the grinder, and grind a little of each nail.