How to Give a Dog a Pedicure

Grooming your dog's nails is an important part of maintaining paw health. If you have always wanted to spoil your dog, learn how to give your pooch a pedicure. Dogs that live indoors most of the time should have their nails clipped about every two weeks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog nail clippers
• Dog nail polish (optional)

1. Decide that trimming your canine's nails is important for two reasons. Your dog can experience pain from too-long nails, and they can scratch your nice floors.

2. Choose clippers. There are two types of clippers for trimming your dog's nails - a scissor-like device with blades on each "shear" and a "guillotine-blade" type, which is more common. It is important that the blades are sharp on whichever tool you use.

3. Do not clip too short. Dogs have an area of their nail called the "quick" just like humans. Be careful not to cut down to this area because it can cause pain and bleeding.

4. Apply polish. The next step for the lady lass is to apply a coat of polish. OPI makes a brand of nail polish especially for dogs. To polish nails, cut any fur away from your pup's nails. Apply one coat by holding the paw firmly, but gently.

5. Give your pooch praise and a treat after the pedicure.

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to identify the quick is to look for a dark line on the underside of the nail. This can be tricky in dark-colored dogs. Carefully cut small bits at a time.
• If you do clip the quick, apply pressure to the top of the nail to stop the bleeding.
• Be careful when cutting close to the quick. This can cause bleeding.

Resources

• There is a great article on this site about do-it-yourself dog pedicures.
• Order dog polish from this website. They also have tips on how to do a pedicure for your pup.