How to Determine How Short to Cut a Dog's Nails

Always remain careful not to cut to the quick.

Dog grooming is about more than keeping a clean and trimmed coat. You should periodically clip your dog's nails to keep the animal healthy and prevent scratches. If you do not use caution and cut the nails properly, however, you may cause your beloved pooch to experience pain or even bleeding. Before you make your first cut, take a few moments to determine the ideal amount of cutting needed on each claw.

Things You'll Need

• Dog nail clippers
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Place your dog in a comfortable position. You may seat small dogs in your lap, or lay larger dogs on a flat table. Hold the dog firmly to restrain them, but do not use aggressive force.

2. Raise your dog's paw and squeeze the first pad gently, in order to extract the claw, making it easier to see and access.

3. Examine the claw. Deep within each nail is a pink, fleshy layer called the "quick." This layer contains nerve endings and should never be cut. If your dog has light-colored paws, you can spot the quick very easily. If the dog has dark-colored nails, you will need to examine them very closely and spot the subtle color variation.

4. Cut the nail approximately 2 mm above the quick. The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine specifically recommends this measurement, as it prevents the risk of bleeding and leaves the dog with a smooth, dull nail. Two millimeters amounts to the length of two of the tiniest lines on a standard ruler.

Tips & Warnings

• If you accidentally cut the quick and the dog begins to bleed, gently press a cloth against the nail for about two minutes, or until the bleeding stops.

• If your dog has very dark nails and you cannot see the quick at all, use caution and make very small trims in order to avoid accidentally cutting too deep.

References

• Washington State University: Clipping a Dog's Claws (Toenails)