Can you hear the sound of your dog’s nails clicking on the floor? Is your dog resistant to getting their nails trimmed, making it a difficult task to keep up with? Many pet owners can relate to the difficulty of maintaining grooming responsibilities. However, nail clipping is one of those responsibilities that should be a priority, as it contributes significantly to our dog’s health and well-being. Knowing when to start, what tools to use, and why it’s essential to maintain our dog’s nails can help ensure they are pain-free and healthy.
What Can Happen If Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long
Dogs can cause damage to your floors, furniture, and carpets with their long nails, which can be frustrating to deal with. More importantly, it can also affect your pet’s gait when walking or running, putting pressure on different joints and leading to arthritis. If your pet’s nails become too long, they can curl under and dig into their skin, causing infections and brittle nails that may split or break off unexpectedly, causing pain.
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Visual Dog Nail Gauge
Nails should not touch the floor
Ideal nail length when standing
When To Start Trimming Dog’s Nails
It’s important to start trimming your dog’s nails from a young age, similar to most habits we teach our dogs. The earliest you can start trimming your dog’s nails as a puppy is around 7-8 weeks. Starting when they are young is less about the necessity and more about creating a relaxed and comfortable experience for your dog. It takes time and patience to introduce your puppy to new things.
How To Introduce Nail Trimming
Introducing nail trimming to our pets can either create a fear or acceptance of it as a new grooming chore. So, how do you start? Going into the training, knowing that it will take time and persistence can make all the difference. Also, having the right tools can contribute to successful training periods. Later, we will talk about what types of tools you can introduce.
To get your puppy to feel comfortable, touch their paws regularly and press the pads while holding their nails. This is an excellent start to creating trust. Having the preferred tool around as you do so and letting them smell it, also opening and closing the tool if it makes any noise to get them acclimated to foreign noises.
If your dog seems comfortable, progress to holding their nail and simultaneously bringing the tool to the nail. Praise your dog; for example, giving training treats can help associate the trimmer with a positive experience.
Every dog has a unique personality and will react differently. Gauge each situation as you continue this process and slow down if necessary. Eventually, as they become more comfortable, try clipping a small shaving of their nail, and sometimes, one nail is enough for the day as long as it’s a positive experience. Giving a treat after each nail clipping can be a good habit to start.
There’s no need to continue if it creates stress. Never hold your dog down or grip too aggressively. You want them to enjoy this process, and as much as it can be frustrating for the dog owner, it will be worth easing your pup into this.
Nail Trimming Tool Options
Scissor-style nail clipper – The handles are like traditional scissors with semi-circular blades and usually have guards to prevent overcutting the nails. This style can also come with a light to illuminate the quick in darker nails and can also come with an emery board attached.
The guillotine-style clipper – They cut fast and clean but don’t have any guards to prevent overcutting.
Dog Nail Grinder – They use a bit grinder that rotates to sand down the nails. This tool vibrates and is not ideal for every dog, but it can also be introduced slowly. Great for a nonaggressive tool that will also provide a smoother surface.
Styptic Powder – This first-aid product is safe and effective. It contains Benzocaine, which stops pain and bleeding. The powder coagulates the blood and creates a clot, preventing bacteria from entering.
What is “the quick,” and how do you find it?
The quick is a soft cuticle that contains blood vessels and nerves that help the dog’s nails grow. The quick can be found relatively easily if your dog has transparent nails; you will see a pink area through the nail, which is the quick.
How do you find the quick on dark nails?
Some dogs have dark nails, making it difficult to determine how far to cut. However, looking under the nails or from the side view, you can see a connection between the soft cuticle and the nail. You should avoid cutting beyond that point or past where the nail bends. This is an excellent guide to ensure you do not cut too far.
Make a habit of not cutting off more than 1/16″ at a time. If the nails are kept too long, the quick can grow further down the nail. By cutting minimally, you can help the quick recede.
Tip- Nail trimmers with a built-in light can be helpful, or you can use any light source to illuminate the quick through dark nails.
What if you cut your dog’s quick?
It’s possible to accidentally cut the quick while trimming your pet’s nails, even if you are careful. This will cause bleeding, which can be painful for your pet. Always keep styptic powder on hand to be prepared for emergencies like this. You can use cornstarch as a substitute if you don’t have any. Dip the pet’s nail into the powder to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding persists, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.
What to do if your dog is afraid
When introducing nail clipping to our pets, mistakes may have been made, causing fear of this grooming chore in your dog. If you continue cutting your dog’s nails at home, but your dog struggles to be obedient, it is advisable to start the training process again as if they were puppies. Offering a lot of praise and treats can help create a positive experience with this task. Remember that your dog can learn new behaviors; you can find success by following the same method at a slower pace.
How often should you cut your dog’s nails?
Each dog can have a slightly different growth rate and lifestyle. Some dogs walk regularly on harder surfaces like sidewalks, and some exercise on softer surfaces like yards. This can impact the growth somewhat. On average, cut your dog’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks or, as a visual, keep their nails from touching the ground in a standing position.
Resources
READ ABOUT: THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR YOUR DOGS TEETH
