Looks like you’ve just got some really bad scratches from your dog or is your new carpet now a masterpiece signed by your dog? It’s either one of these or your crush just told you that he/she’s not coming home before you trim your dog’s nails. Whatever that is, trimming your dog’s nails is a good decision. No scratches to you or the sofa and money saved on the new carpet as well.
Now, we all know that trimming nails is an art. One wrong deep cut and it’s a 7-day long pain that’s probably second only to getting kicked in the balls. It’s the same for dogs. So, before all the general knowledge about dogs and nails, here’s a step-by-step guide to trim your dog’s nails –
Step 1 – Take a shower
Step 2 – Get your dog ready
Step 3 – Wear some nice clothes
Step 4 – Take your dog and get into your car.
Step 5 – Drive to a pet grooming station and pay for a nail trimming service.
Just kidding. That’s an easier option though. But you’re here to save some money. So, here it is – (2)
Step 1
Pick a quiet spot. Make your dog comfortable with you holding their toes. Start by frequently caressing and holding their paws. Give them a treat for being patient.
Step 2
Let your dog sniff the nail clipper so that they get familiar with it.
Step 3
Take the clipper near their foot and tap their paw with it. This would make them feel like it’s some game and get them all excited.
Step 4
Start with clipping a tiny part of a nail. Reward your pup with a treat for being calm and allowing you to trim their nails.
Step 5
Look for the quick (the pink area within the nail that contains blood vessels). This is the area you need to avoid cutting. Trim the first nail and move towards the other nails. Cut from top to bottom rather than side to side to prevent splitting.
Step 6
Once done with the front paws, move towards the back ones. Remember to avoid the quick. In dogs with dark paws, if you see a black dot in the middle of the nail, stop trimming, that’s the quick.
Step 7
You can file your dog’s nails to make them smoother and more comfortable for your dog. This step is optional though.
Step 8
This is the most important step – Celebrate. Your dog needs to feel like they’ve achieved something great by staying calm and letting you trim all the nails. Give them treats and lots of praise.
In case you end up causing some bleeding in your dog’s toes, you can apply styptic powder to the nail tip to stop the bleeding.
Here are some important pointers to remember while clipping your dog’s nails – (1)(2)
Always use a good-quality and sharp nail clipper to make the process as quick and comfortable as possible for the dog.
If your dog seems anxious while clipping, use treats or toys to distract them. It is not necessary to clip all nails in one sitting. You can take them for a walk and then come back and continue or continue the next day.
As puppies grow, the nails become thicker. You can then move to a nail grinder or dog nail scissors.
The best time to trim your dog’s nails is after a bath. They are more relaxed then.
And lastly, do not pin your pup down and hold them tightly. This will just make the process fearful for them and they will repel you every time they see you with a nail clipper.
What happens if you don't trim your dog's nails?
You’ll be causing them a lot of pain. Imagine your toenails rubbing against the ground every time you walk. Once your dog’s nails grow long enough, they start curling and growing into the paw pad. Apart from the pain and discomfort, long nails also stand a chance of getting infected. Moreover, they can get attached to some furniture or a toy and rip off unexpectedly causing your dog a lot of pain. (3)
Long nails make it very difficult and uncomfortable for dogs to walk. They make dogs put more stress on different joints which can eventually lead to problems like arthritis. And we don’t want that to happen to our beautiful dogs.
How Often Should You Trim Your Dog’s Nails?
There is no definitive answer to this as it completely depends on your dog’s lifestyle and how fast the nails grow. Most dogs need to get their nails trimmed once every month. However, if your dog often plays on hard surfaces like concrete, the nails will tend to naturally wear down. If your dog spends more time on soft surfaces like grass or carpet, the nails may not get enough friction to wear down on their own. (3)
Having said that, it is a good practice to schedule nail trimming sessions regularly. You can start clipping your dog’s nails within the first week of getting them home itself. They will usually be around 6 weeks old then. Clip a tiny amount every week to get them accustomed to it.
Is Having Long Nails Bad for Your Dog?
Pain, discomfort and a chance of Infection are what long nails look like for your dog. We will now leave it to you to decide if it is good or not for your dog. Not to forget that long nails come with scratches on furniture and possibly on your face.
More about Spot Pet Insurance
We know you are trying to take the maximum care of your dog, and we are glad. However, there will be times when your dog gets injured or sick despite all the care. Yes, you will get the injuries and diseases treated by a vet, but the bills can sometimes put a big dent in your savings. Here’s the best solution to avoid it – pet health insurance. You can save up to 90% of vet bills and much more with it.
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
Heads Up For Tails. (2024, July 2). Safely trimming your dog’s nails at home. Heads Up For Tails. https://headsupfortails.com/blogs/dogs/how-to-safely-trim-dog-nails?srsltid=AfmBOooq4BnIoAJos-NS8QWMwEHImWYvZH2VlEzt_P1B-pk1kXBMnChF
Fitzpatric, K. (2024, February 27). The dangers of your dog’s nails being too long. Portage Park Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic. https://www.portagepark.com/blog/the-dangers-of-your-dogs-nails-being-too-long
