How to Clip Your Dog's Toenails

Going to the vet is necessary if you can't cut your own pet's toenails but it really isn't that hard to do yourself. Either way, allowing the nails to grow too long can cause problems with your pet's feet, possibly leading to the nails embedding in their feet or to completely crippling them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good toenail clipper
• Patience with your pet
• Possibly a friend to hold your pet
• Soothing words and quiet tone

1. 
    
   See - It's OK!

   Some dogs will calmly let you trim their nails, laying either in your lap or up on a table or whatever becomes your way, but many need to be restrained. It's best when you start trimming your dog's nails as a pup. If they experience problems while getting clipped and get skittish about having their nails touched, you can start "play clipping" without actually cutting - inbetween actual trims - just to get your dog comfortable with the clippers again. In every day interaction, pick up their paw and go through the motions of trimming even without a nail clipper in your hand. Fiddle with their feet and splay out their toes while soothing them with soft words.

2. 
    
   Scissor Dog Nail Trimmer

   There are several styles of nail trimmers, including a guillotine type and a scissors type. The kind in this picture - the scissors type - has a stopper so you can't cut very much at one time and I prefer them for beginners. (This particular trimmer is very old, has trimmed hundreds of dogs and cats, but still works great! I'll use it 'til it rusts to pieces!)

3. 
    
   Long Hair - Long Nails

   If you've never trimmed your dog's nails before, try to find someone who can show your how to do it. A one time trip to the veterinarian or a professional dog groomer may be well worth the fee to learn how to do your dog's nails. Our dog has long fur. When I can see her nails easily and hear her click down the hall - it's time for a trim.

4. 
    
   Start With A Cut About Here

   With many dogs, the nail is a light color and you can see where the "quick", or blood center, of the nail is. If the nail is dark, then checking the curve of the nail might show you where it is. Using a bright light source - especially sunshine - behind a dark nail will help you see where the quick is.

5. 
    
   First Cut

   Take small cuts off the tip to see where the end of the quick is and to reduce the chance of cutting into the blood source.

6. 
    
   Foot Is Done - Don't trim closer than this

   If the toenail gets cut too short, use a styptic pencil or jar of styptic powder to stop blood flow. Most pets dislike the styptic pencil more than the actual toenail cutting. You need to hold the pencil to the bleeding nail until it stops bleeding. A gentler, less upsetting way is to use cornstarch against the tip of the nail and hold it tight with your finger. You could use a small spoon instead, pressing the cornstarch into the nail. Even a paper towel held against the nail for about a minute will help it stop bleeding. Under normal circumstances, the nail will stop bleeding on it's own within about five minutes. Keep the dog still and laying down for a little while. And apologize profusely!

7. 
    
   Back Paw Needs Trimming!

   Back feet usually have the dew claws removed for the dog's safety. A broken dew claw is not a pretty sight! Back feet toenails are usually smaller and shorter because dogs often launch off the ground with their back feet.

8. 
    
   Back Paw Is Done!

   I usually do the front feet first and then the backs. By the time you've finished the front ten toenails, your dog will understand that it's nearing the end of the "torture" and will soon be over. You also have a better opportunity to calm them with pets and soft words while doing the fronts. The back feet seem to go faster. Take even shorter cuts when doing the back feet unless your dog has easy pink toenails that allow you to see the blood center clearly.

9. 
    
   Let's Have Some Fun Now!

   Many people say to simply use a file to smooth the nails once they've been cut. I've never seen a dog who likes their nails filed. Unless they are unruly and likely to jump up on a person and scratch the person's face or skin, just allow the dog to wear the nails down naturally. A good way to start is to take your dog out for some good happy play to help them forget all about the ordeal!

Tips & Warnings

• If your pet is skittish about their nails being cut, plan on working with them over a period of a few days.
• Never rush it and don't get rough with them.
• Think about going to a pet groomer so they can show you how to do it. The one time fee will probably convince you to do it yourself.
• Trim the nails every two months - but it's different for each dog and their activity level.
• If you are worried about cutting your pet's nails, your pet will sense it and become more skittish. Try to find someone else to do the nails for you.
• The longer you allow the nails to grow, the longer the quick of the nails get - making cutting the nails even more problematic and easier to cut into the quick.

Resources

• Duelin' Deals Emporium - Pet Peeves

[jillybeanusn]

on 12/1/2009 5*
And isn't this a fun thing to do???

[ladyofthelake]

on 11/24/2009 Great job with this article. I have five dogs and the nail clipping part of the grooming and bathes is always the hardest part. I use cinnamon to stop the bleeding on the few occasions that I cut too far. We always end the "torture time" with a treat and use lots of love durring. Love the picture of the puppy ready to play! Rec. and 5*

[cca1049501]

on 11/20/2009 Great article, my dog is a royal terror when it comes to clipping her nails!!

[mattgoetz]

on 11/15/2009 Another good article. Thanks for sharing. 5*

[christmaszorro2]

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