How to Trim the Toe Nails of a Dog

Have your dog lie down to have its nails trimmed.

Trimming a dog's nails should be a part of its regular grooming routine. Keeping a dog's nails trimmed will prevent them from becoming ingrown into the dog's foot, which can lead to serious complications including infection. Trimming your dog's nails yourself can save you money and a trip to the vet.

Things You'll Need

• Nail clipper
• Flour or cornstarch

Instructions

1. Place the dog on a flat surface or the floor. Command the dog to lie down.

2. Pick up the dog's paw in your left hand if you are right-handed and in your right hand if you are left-handed.

3. Put the nail clippers around the dog's nail. If the dog's nail is white or clear, place the clipper in front of the quick. The quick is the pink-looking vein running through the middle of the toe nail. Squeeze the nail clippers to trim the nail.

4. Trim just the tip of the nail if the dog's nail is black. Examine the end of the nail after cutting it. If a white circle appears, you have trimmed the nail sufficiently. If the nail is all black, cut another small sliver off of the nail. Continue trimming the nail until you see the white center.

5. Trim the remaining four nails on the foot. Check the foot for a fifth nail called the dewclaw. It will be located on the inside of the leg. Some breeds do not have dewclaws. Trim the dewclaw as you did the other nails.

6. Clip the nails on the other feet. Check for dewclaws on the rear feet as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Use sharp clipper for best results.

• Have someone hold the dog if it is moving too much.

• If the dog is getting too stressed out, take breaks in between clipping the dog's nails.

• Trimming the dog's nails too short will cause them to bleed. Put cornstarch or flour on the nail tip to help stop the bleeding.

References

• Pedigreed Pups: Clipping and Trimming Your Dog's Nails