How To Safely Cut My Dog's Nails
How to cut or grind your domestic dog's nails the correct style
This article was medically reviewed by Sorin McKnight, DVM, a veterinary at Wellborn Road Veterinary Medical Center in College Station, Texas.
- To cutting your dog'due south nails, yous need scissor clippers, guillotine clippers, or a grinder.
- For start-timers, information technology'due south all-time to accept 2 people: ane to condolement your pup while the other trims.
- Nail grinding is some other option that may allow you to have more command.
- Visit Insider'south Health Reference library for more advice.
Humans aren't the only ones who get manicures and pedicures — dogs need pampering too, and you can do it yourself at home.
All dogs demand their nails trimmed regularly. "Long nails tend to interruption, and and then you tin can get a separate toenail," says Grace A. Mengel, DVM, assistant professor of clinical primary care medicine at University of Pennsylvania'due south School of Veterinary Medicine.
Other issues that tin can arise if your dog'southward nails grow too long is that it can make it hard for them to walk properly and maintain traction on the floor and in severe cases the smash can grow into the skin on the manus pad, causing pain and infection.
That's why it's then important to know the proper, safe way to clip your dog'south nails if you programme on doing it yourself. Here's how to provide your pup with the perfect pedicure.
What tools practise you demand to cut your domestic dog's nails?
There are three kinds of tools yous tin can use to trim your canis familiaris'southward nails.
- Scissor clippers: These blast trimmers are like to household scissors, but have sturdier, shorter blades. Larger dogs commonly demand this type of trimmer due to the size and thickness of their nails, says Shawna Garner, DVM, US Lead Veterinarian at on-demand video consultation platform, FirstVet.
- Guillotine clippers: These have a loop that you insert the nail into, and then you squeeze the tool and the blade will cutting the blast. These are best suited for small dogs.
- Grinders: Grinding tools like a Dremel can work wonderfully to slowly and gently file downwards a dog's nail. Await for a grinder made for pets.
How to cutting your dog'south nails
One time you take your clippers set up, you lot tin can ready to cut your dog's nails. This should be a two-person job at starting time, says Christopher Lea, DVM, DABVP, a clinician at the Auburn Academy Veterinary Dispensary and associate professor at Auburn University. This manner one person can hold and comfort the dog and the other can focus on the clipping itself.
It's important to note that since almost dogs are resistant to having their nails trimmed, it helps to put them up on a table or counter to prevent them from trying to get away from you.
If your dog has darker nails, this process tin be trickier since you can't meet the quick. In this case, Garner says you should look at the underside of the nail and place the hollow area towards the tip, and focus the clippers at the tip.
Also, unless they've been properly introduced to the process, almost dogs practise not bask having their nails trimmed. Ideally, introduce nail trimming to your puppy starting from a young age. Using lots of treats, clip ane nail at a fourth dimension, going slowly and reassuring your puppy using a soothing phonation. This technique tin besides work for older dogs.
Grinding your dog'south nails
One of the main benefits of nail grinding is that it allows for more control, which can assist you avert the quick. Additionally, grinders work like a nail file and prevent you from making sharp edges or splitting the nail, which tin be uncomfortable and potentially lead to bleeding or infection, says Carly Play a trick on DVM, Staff Doctor at NYC'south Animal Medical Heart.
Before you use a grinder for the offset fourth dimension, Play tricks says it's a good idea to get your pet used to the sound of the grinder by introducing it slowly and giving your pup treats when you turn it on.
Just like with cutting the nails, you need to be mindful of the quick.
"In dogs with darker nails, you should finish dremeling once you see a white circle appear on the tip of their smash. This lets you know you are getting close to the quick," says Fox.
What to do if you nick the nail
If you accidentally cut into the quick, your domestic dog might yelp in hurting and the boom may bleed a lot. Store-bought powders, called styptic powders, can aid staunch the bleeding. And if yous don't have styptic powder, you can always apply corn starch.
Mengel recommends putting the styptic pulverisation on a slice of gauze and then holding it against the nail and applying some pressure to assist stop the haemorrhage.
Though at that place may be lots of blood, a nicked boom isn't an emergency. Yet, if the next day the wound is swollen or seems sore, information technology could be a sign of infection so have your dog to the veterinarian.
Insider's takeaway
Cutting your dog's nails at habitation can be more than convenient and cost-constructive than having it washed at a domestic dog groomer. Overgrown nails can be dangerous for dogs, so information technology'southward of import to keep trimming their nails regularly.
If you lot cull to cutting your dog's nails at dwelling house, the method you utilise will vary based on you and your canis familiaris's personal preference. Exist patient with the process, since there is a fleck of a learning curve for both y'all and your pet. If y'all're having a lot of trouble with it, don't hesitate to visit your family veterinarian for some help.
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Source: https://www.insider.com/how-to-cut-dog-nails
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