Having pets can be very beautiful but there is a lot of work that comes with keeping pets as well. This mainly includes the grooming of your pet. Dogs are naturally very playful and carefree pets. The only time when they can get panicky and finicky is when they are about to get their nails trimmed. There are many tips for when one is about to cut or trim dog nails. Keep reading if you want to learn how to make the process easier.

Steps on how to trim dog nails

1. Precaution

As a precaution, you should always talk to your vet or any other animal professional who can help you in this department. Get some basic guidelines and the go ahead from them. Proceed once you think you’re comfortable to do it. If you’re nervous your dog will be even more stressed as animals can pick up your energy.

2. Positioning

Firstly, you should sit in a place where you and your dog are both comfortable. There are lots for tools that you can use if you want to trim your dog’s nails. These include guillotine type and scissor type instruments. Choose whichever you are more comfortable handling. Hold on to your dog’s paw. Make sure that it doesn’t move a lot. Hold the paw in such a way that you can steady it. You should hold it firmly but gently so as to not freak out the dog.

3. Trimming

Next, start by trimming of the edges of your dog’s nail. It is very important to know that there are two parts of a dog’s nail; the extended nail and below the nail and the quick. Quick is a small part in the nail which is responsible for the blood supply. You do NOT want to cut the quick as there can be a lot of mess of blood. First, trim around the edge of the nails in order to avoid the quick. Second, move to the center of the nail and start clipping gently. As soon as you feel like the clipper is touching something soft and spongy, stop! That is the quick. Continue cutting around the quick and you’re done!

4. Cleaning

If you do somehow end up cutting the quick by mistake, take quick action. There will be a lot of blood because of the cut. You can instantly stop the blood flow by applying styptic powder. Clean the blood with a damp cloth gently and apply the styptic powder with the help of a cotton swab. You also use a nail cauterizer for quicker results.

A nail cauterizer is basically an instrument that stops the bleeding by applying heat to the wound.

5. Treats

The trick to making this complicated process fun is by using treats. Award your dog with a treat as soon as you are done trimming a nail  Keep the dog motivated with encouraging words and pats and rubs on the head. All of this can go a long way. Make sure to be patient. Dogs are bound to freak out a little as they dislike getting their nails trimmed. Give them time. Cut one nail at a time and give them the time and space to run away. Pick up the cutting once again after a while. The entire process will be a breeze for the dog and for you as well.

Lastly, trim your dog’s nails every few weeks to get it used to the process. Take lessons from experts on how to carry out the process. Try not to cut the quick as it can be quite painful and traumatizing for the dog.

How can I cut my dog’s nails at home?

How do you cut a dog’s nails that are black?

How do you know where the quick is on black dog nails?

To view the quick of the nail, gently lift your dog’s paw and look at the center of the unclipped nail head-on. If the nail has a small dark circle at the center, it indicates the beginning of the quick of the nail. Do not clip any nail that has a circle in the center as you’ll be clipping into the quick.

Can I file my dog’s nails instead of clipping?

Many pet owners prefer the use of a motorized nail file or Dremel tool that is often less stressful for dogs, as it eliminates the pinching sensation associated with clippers. Manual filing is time-consuming, but for an extremely anxious dog, it may be a viable alternative to clippers or motorized instruments.

Can you file nails instead of clipping?

Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails, so you may find that you do not need to trim these nails as often. Smooth uneven or rough edges using a nail file or emery board. Always file the nail in the same direction, as filing back and forth can weaken your nails.

Can I use sandpaper to file my dog’s nails?

Sandpaper. Introduce self nail filing using 80 grit sandpaper. Remember, higher grit numbers mean softer (less abrasive) grit, which will slowly file back your dog’s nails. Most dogs are comfortable dragging their nails across 30-40 grit sandpaper, which files down nails fast.

Is it better to cut or file dog nails?

Some pet owners prefer to use a grinding tool, such as the nail Dremel for dogs. This method of trimming can be quite effective, although using a grinder necessitates doing the job more often. A grinding tool can give a smoother finish to the nail than the clipper and works well on thick nails.

How do you trim severely overgrown dog nails?

Using your preferred clippers, trim a very small bit of nail at a time. Cut at a slight angle across the tip of the nail, following its natural shape. After each cut, look at the freshly-cut tip of the nail to look for the little black dot that tells you when to stop.

How often should you trim a dogs nails?

While on average most dogs will need to have their nails trimmed every 1-2 months, it can be more frequently – even as often as once per week – for senior dogs.

Can you trim cat claws with nail clippers?

Either the guillotine type or a human fingernail clipper are easiest to use in cats. The scissors-type is used if a toe nail is so long that it is curling in a circle. Long claws can grow into the toepad. If you cut into the quick, the claw will bleed and the cat will experience pain.

What happens if you don’t trim your cat’s nails?

But you can‘t skip the nail trim. If a cat’s claws are not trimmed on a regular basis, they can curl in on themselves and grow into the foot pad, causing intense pain. Untrimmed nails can also pose a hazard to people and furniture, both of which can be injured by too-long claws.

What angle do you cut a cat’s nails?

If using a scissors clipper, place it so that it is at a 90 degree angle to the nail, and give each nail a quick snip. Cut from top to bottom rather than side to side. A top to bottom cut is clean, while a side to side cut may crush and splinter the nail.

Do scratching posts trim nails?

When the furniture in your house starts to resemble a worn out scratching post, it’s time to put regular cat nail trimming in place. Because cat nails (known as claws) grow in layers, they use scratching to peel off old claw sheaths and expose new claws.

How often do I need to clip my cat’s nails?

A nail-trimming every ten days to two weeks is recommended.

If your cat refuses to let you clip her claws, ask your vet or a groomer for help.

Is a scratching post necessary?

A scratching post is essential for any healthy, well-adjusted cat. Cats must have an outlet for their urge to scratch, so providing a post for that purpose can save your furniture, drapery and carpeting from destruction.