Trimming your dog’s nails is a very important task to keep your pet healthy. Follow simple techniques to make the experience the best it can be for both you and your pet. It is a good idea to take your dog to a vet or groomer to see this done by a professional. Watch their techniques to see what best practices you can follow at home using your dog clipper. Different dogs have varying levels of toenail hardness and shape. A professional can tell you the specifics on how and where to cut for your specific breed.

A dog’s feet are a sensitive area, and many pets dislike having them handled. The best place to perform the trimming is on a raised, level surface such as a table. Attempting to do this on the ground makes it easy for your dog to squirm away. Also, they may think you want to play with them on the floor. Once on the table, it will be very handy if you have a helper who can restrain the pet while trimming. If you are truly having a hard time keeping your dog restrained, professional dog tables are available that hold your pet on a leash bar to keep them in place.

A vital mistake people make is using dog clippers that are dull. The blades must be very sharp to work properly. Invest in a quality pair of nail trimmers for the best results and safety. There are two types of nail trimmers. The first is scissor type which is operated in the same fashion as a pair of scissors. Two strong rounded blades surround the nail to clip it off. The second is a guillotine type which has a circular opening with a blade that rises up through it. Both pet clippers work well on smaller breeds, but larger breeds respond better to the scissor type, being that large dogs have harder nail structures which require more strength to cut cleaning and painlessly.
A quality pair of dog nail clippers can be bought for under $10, which is quite reasonable considering the importance of proper nail trimming. Look for some at your local pet store or even your groomer. If you have specific questions about which ones to buy,  don’t hesitate to ask an associate for assistance. Keep in mind that professional dog clippers are always the best quality but will require greater investment.

Every dog’s toenail has a blood supply called a quick. If cut, the nail will bleed quite a bit, so avoiding this is a good idea. If your pet’s nails are white in color, you should be able to see the quick underneath. If not, be sure to take a small bit of nail off at a time with your dog nail clippers.  To identify when you have almost reached the quick, you will see that the nails will get less “chalky” and start to form a solid nail color. This is when you should stop trimming.

You’ll know when it’s time to trim nails when they start to reach the ground when your dog is standing. If the nails touch the ground, they can impair proper walking and gait, which can be uncomfortable for your pet. Even worse is if their nails grow so long that they form a loop shape. If this happens, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately, as the nail could grow into your dog’s foot pads, causing serious damage.

If you accidentally nick the quick during trimming and blood comes out, there are a few ways to stop the bleeding quickly. The best way to do this is to use a styptic pencil or powder on the area. This controls the bleeding quickly and easily. If you don’t have these products you can always use some flour or cornstarch. Take your dog’s nail and push it into the powder. The powder will enter the blood cavity and plug up the bleeding.

Your dog should proceed to rest for a while after the bleeding, as the opening could continue bleeding if the area is disturbed from walking, running, etc. With time and practice, you should be able to cut your dog’s nails without any trouble. Over time, your pet will come to realize that this activity is safe for them, and hopefully become more cooperative. Daily activity and exercise can help your pet’s nails to stay worn down and healthy and reduce the frequency of nail trimmings. Keep a close eye on the dew claws, however, as these nails will not wear down with activity.