So when it comes to cutting your dog’s nails, many people are fearful that they will upset their dog, or get bitten and some even think they will create a bad feeling towards them as an owner. This can make the whole process of cutting your dog’s nails extremely stressful and almost making it feel like a chore each time owners go to perform the task. Find out How to Trim a Dogs Nails in the post below.
On the positive side, if your dog gets a lot of exercise, then you may be lucky enough to not need to trim their nails. Having your dog walk for longer periods and distances will help to wear them down over time. If you live in a small suburb or large city, with your dog only receiving around a mile walk at the longest, then cutting the nails will be a necessary action.
Contents
Below Is The Information About How To Trim A Dogs Nails
There are 5 easy steps to take in order to make the whole process quick and easy:
- Getting The Correct Tools
- Trimming The Nails
- Ensure That You Are Safe Whilst Performing The Task
- What To Do With Black Hair & Nails
- What Happens If Bleed Occurs
First Step – Getting The Right Tools
The most important tool you are going to need is a pair of nail clippers, although saying this, there are a huge number of nail clippers available to purchase. The different types are:
- Plier Style Nail Clippers ( Work Great On Large Breeds )
- Guillotine Style Nail Clippers (Best For Small Breeds And Are The Simplest To Use)
- Scissor Style Nail Clippers
The next tool you are going to need in your kit, is some form of dog treat or reward which will help let your dog know that they are doing a great job. Not only this but, it really helps to make the whole process a positive experience for your dog. Meaning, when you come to cut your dog’s nails the next time, it won’t be as big of a deal.
The final tool that you are going to want to get it either styptic powder or clotting powder. In the unfortunate event of accidentally cutting the nails of your dog too short, causing their paw to bleed. The powders mentioned above will help to stop the bleeding becoming a huge problem. If you don’t have the styptic or clotting powder available then you can use baking soda, cornstarch or baking flour which will work just as well.
Second Step – Trimming The Nails
When you first use the nail clippers it can be quite a daunting task, not to mention that your dog won’t be a huge fan of them too. The best thing to do before starting is to get comfortable to the nail clippers by giving the a test. Whatever style of nail clippers you have opted to use, you need to ensure that you have a firm grip and are able to use your fingers to spread apart the dog’s toes. This will help to make the cutting process a lot smoother.
It is best practice to get your dog used to the nail clippers before you start to cut. You may be wondering how to do that right? Simply place the nail clippers against the dog’s nails or feet. Giving your dog a treat and reassuring them with praise is also a good idea. Usually doing this for around 10/15 minutes is usually enough. Repeating the process on a daily and adding in the sound of the clippers by pushing them together so that the dog gets familiar with the sound is a great idea too.
Once you feel confident that your dog is used to the clippers and the sound, you can begin to take the next step.
Third Step – Remaining Safe Whilst Trimming
It is always a good idea to leave it to a professional dog groomer or vet to show you the best way of how to trim your dog’s nails correctly. Once you have an idea of the techniques used, you’ll be more confident in your ability. The main thing to consider is that if your dog is a puppy they will be extremely nervous. But, you can take time to cut their nails. There isn’t a law which states that you need to get all the nails at once.
As we mentioned earlier, not every dog needs their nails cutting. Those who live outside of a city or suburb will help to wear their nails down and eventually the dry ends will flake off. Some dogs however, such as Bassets and Dachshunds who will need some help to keep their nails short. Depending on the size of your dog, it will depend on how often you should trim your dog’s nails, such as once a week to once a month. It’s definitely something you need to consider when learning how to trim a dogs nails.
No matter your experience at trimming nails, you are bound to make the mistake of cutting a nail too short. If this does happen, then it is important to have a solution to help stop the blood. Because you should know exactly how to trim a dogs nails, before attempting this.
Fourth Step – What To Do About Black Hair & Nails
When trimming nails, especially dogs with black nails or hair can become more of a challenge. When you look on the black nails, there is no pink, meaning it’s hard to judge how much to trim as you cannot see where the live part starts. So, start by looking at the end of the nail, the whitest part is usually the dead nail. As you begin to trim further into the nail, you will notice that it begins to get slightly darker. The darker area of the nail is the start of the living section.
Fifth Step – What To Do If Bleeding Occurs
The first thing to remember is not to panic. Simply place a small amount of paper on the nail end and hold it there gently for a few minutes. Make sure that you have some styptic or clotting powder to hand and add a small amount to the area of the bleeding nail.
Cup, pour or dip the solution into the hollow of the nail and then bleeding should stop. Usually this happens instantly, but it should stop after 5 minutes, if bleeding occurs after this time then you should definitely go see the vet.
So now you have the answer to the question how to trim a dogs nails, let me know how you get on in the comments below.
