Trimming your dog’s nails is not always easy – one wrong move and you could injure your dog.
Country Feed Store would like to share some nail trimming tips with our followers. Please remember to pick up all the tools you need at any of our 3 locations!
- Trimming Tools – Use a nail trimmer designed for dogs, of course, but make sure that it’s one you feel comfortable using. Also make sure your dog can tolerate your tool of choice – any tools with sounds or vibrations may scare your dog.
- Comfort – Make sure your dog is comfortable when trimming his nails. The front nails may be easy, just pick up the paws and trim away. However, if your dog has arthritis in the rear legs, he may not have enough flexibility to lift them the way you need to trim them. Try standing over him and pick up his foot as a farrier would with a horse. The goal is to remain relaxed and comfortable during your dog’s nail trims.
- Where To Trim – Knowing where to trim a nail takes some skill. If your dog has clear nails, you can see the live quick, which looks pink. Cut the nail no closer than about two millimeters from the quick. If your dog has dark nails, you can avoid cutting into the quick by trimming one little sliver of nail at a time, starting with the tip. As you cut slices off your dog’s nail, look at the exposed edge of the cut nail. Eventually, you’ll see a gray or pink oval starting to appear. Stop trimming when you see the oval. If you don’t, you’ll cut into the quick, causing pain and bleeding.
- Dewclaws Need Trimming Too – Don’t forget to trim your dog’s dewclaws as well. Most dogs just have dewclaws on their front legs, but some dogs have one, and sometimes even two, sets of dewclaws on their rear legs. If your dog doesn’t have dewclaws on his front legs, he had them surgically removed earlier in his life.
- Treats – Your dog will usually do anything for a treat! If your dog wiggles around too much and won’t let you hold his paws for long, try standing him in front of your sliding glass door and smear the door with peanut butter so he will be preoccupied with licking his treat. If your dog can sit still long enough for a trim, give him a treat when you are through.
- Reward Your Dog – Once you are finished trimming your dog’s nails, reward your pet by asking if he wants to go for a walk or giving him a new toy.
