When you hear your little pup go “pitter-patter” when it runs on your floor, you know it’s time for your dog to get a nail trim! Overgrown nails can cause discomfort for your dog and, in the worst cases, cause infection or health problems. Cutting your dog’s nails can be quite a daunting task, especially for newer dog owners, as you do not want to accidentally cut too much and leave the nail raw and bloody! Not to worry; in this guide, we will be exploring the dog’s nail anatomy as well as tips on how to cut your dog’s nails safely!
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Dog’s Nail Anatomy
Before trimming your dog’s nails, it’s important to understand the nail anatomy as it’s slightly different from human nails. Take a look at the diagram below:
Photo courtesy of Barkbus
Nails are protective plates whose purpose is to prevent disease and bacteria from entering the body. In animals such as dogs, dog nails serve as a balance aid, traction enhancer, and even a scratching tool for your pup. The visible part of your nails are usually made from dead cells, which is why you do not feel pain when cutting your nails! However, nails require constant blood flow to grow, which in our case lies under the nail bed. For dogs, it is slightly different where the blood vessel, called the quick, grows together with the nail.
As you can see in the above diagram, the quick is the reddish part residing in the nail, and it grows together with it. This can be slightly problematic because you cannot simply cut off the nail as short as possible, as you will definitely snip off the quick along with it, causing your dog some pain.
The good news is that the quick does not grow to the extent where the edge of the nail is, which means there is still some buffer region where snipping off the nail does not cut the quick. In the above diagram, the cut line is where you want to cut off the nail without hurting your dog. Additionally, trimming your dog’s nail causes the quick to recede, leaving behind more nail area. This is why regular trims encourage the quick to recede, making future trimming less challenging. It is never recommended to leave your dog’s nails for an extended period of time, then cutting off a large portion at one go because it would definitely cut off the quick and cause pain to your dog.
Last but not least, it’s important to note that dogs have dewclaws! Dewclaws are like the “thumb” equivalent of human hands, and these dewclaws are often found further up on the dog’s paw. Usually, dogs have dewclaws only on the front legs, but some dogs do have dewclaws on their hind legs too! It’s important to keep a lookout for the dewclaws and ensure that the dewclaw nails are trimmed properly as well.
Why Regular Nail Trimming Is Necessary
Regular nail trimming in dogs is necessary because it helps the quick to recede, allowing you to maintain a short nail length for the dog. Short nail length in dogs can help prevent the following issues:
Overgrown Nails: Overgrown nails can lead to discomfort and health issues for your dog. As the nails grow longer, it alters the natural alignment of paws as the nails do not grow outward but rather grow outward and curl inward at the same time, impacting posture and even mobility. If left unchecked, overgrown nails can contribute to joint problems, affecting your dog’s overall well-being.
Broken Nails: A side effect of overgrown nails is that it could break under the constant impact of your dog running around the house. A broken nail is no joke as it could shatter along the quick, causing great pain to your dog. In more serious cases, it would require sedation and surgical action to cut through the quick and even out the nail.
As a rule of thumb, many vets advocate trimming your dog’s nails every 2-3 weeks, depending on your dog’s nail growth. The more often you trim, the more likely the quick will recede and allow you to maintain a short nail length for your dog!
How Do I Use A Dog Nail Clipper?
For newer dog owners, don’t worry! This short section will explain the various parts of the dog nail clipper and how to use them properly. There are a few types of dog nail clippers, and this section will go through them one by one so that you can cut your dog’s nails safely no matter the type of clipper you use.
Scissors/ Pliers type
This type of nail clipper works like a pair of scissors where you squeeze the plier-like handles to force the blades to come together and snip off the nail. Usually, these clippers have a spring at the handle to help with strength and control. Some nail clippers of this type would also have a plate at the back of the blades, as shown partially hidden in the image above. This plate acts as a safety stop for you to ensure that you do not cut off too much nail at one go, as it could cut off the quick as mentioned above.
Guillotine
Guillotine-type nail clippers work almost the same way as the Scissors-type nail clippers, just that a blade comes down to slice off the nail when you squeeze the handle, instead of two blades coming together like a scissors. To use these nail clippers, simply place the nail in the circular opening and squeeze.
What’s The Best Way To Trim My Pup’s Nails?
Depending on how often you trim and how familiar your dog is with the process, special care must be taken to ensure that you do not startle the dog or induce fear in it. To a fresh pup, a scary-looking device that slices and dices near its paws is hardly comforting indeed!
Building Trust for Stress-Free Trims: Start by building trust between you and your pup. Allow them to sniff and inspect the clippers without any trimming pressure. Offer treats and affection to create positive associations. Gradually progress to touching their paws and nails, reinforcing that this process is nothing to fear.
Have Confidence: When your dog is comfortable, it’s time to gently hold their paw and start trimming. Use a calm and confident demeanor to reassure your pup. If your dog shows signs of stress, take breaks and offer treats or playtime. Trim one nail at a time, focusing on the tips, and celebrate each successful trim with praise and rewards.
Look Out For The Quick: Before trimming each nail, look for the reddish part on your dog’s nail (the quick!) You will want to position your clipper so that it does not cut off the quick, as shown in the image below:
Handling Dark Nails: Trimming dark or black nails requires extra care, as the quick is not easily visible. Illuminate the nail with a flashlight to identify the quick’s location. Trim small amounts at a time, using the lighter-colored center of the nail as a guide. Take breaks to check the progress and prevent accidental cuts.
Handle Accidents Like A Champ: For newer dog owners, accidents may occur and you may have snipped off too much, leaving the nail raw and bloody. Your dog may even yelp in pain, choosing not to trust your further attempts at nail cutting anymore. It may be very heartbreaking, but do keep your composure and tell yourself mistakes do happen! As always, take your time and reassure your dog every step of the way, as rushing the process can lead to stress for both you and your pup.
Conclusion
Congratulations, paw-rent! You’ve now learnt so much about a dog’s nail anatomy and how to cut a dog’s nails properly! I hope that this article builds your confidence in cutting those overgrown nails with care. Happy trimming! 🐾
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About Nail Trimming:
How often should I trim my dog’s nails?
The frequency of nail trimming depends on your dog’s activity level and the rate of nail growth. On average, you should aim to trim every 2-3 weeks, but some dogs may need more frequent trims.
What if my dog is afraid of nail trimming?
If your dog is fearful, start by introducing them to the tools gradually. Use positive reinforcement, take breaks as needed, and build a positive association with the trimming process.
Are regular human clippers okay for dogs?
While it’s possible to use regular clippers, it’s recommended to use clippers designed specifically for dogs. Dog nail clippers offer more precision and reduce the risk of splintering.
My dog’s nails are bleeding, what should I do?
If you accidentally cut into the quick and your dog’s nail is bleeding, use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Apply the powder with gentle pressure, and it should help coagulate the blood.
Is grinding/ filing the nail an alternative to clipping?
Grinding is a suitable alternative to clipping and can be less intimidating for some dogs. Ensure to use a grinder specifically designed for pets and introduce it gradually to avoid fear.
