From time to time, humans feel the need to trim overly long nails. It's not only aesthetically pleasing, but also provides greater comfort. This practice isn't just for humans, but also applies to pets like dogs and cats. For dogs, trimming their nails is also very important for their hygiene, but especially for their health.
To take care of your dog, you must learn how to trim their nails regularly. To do this, you'll need dog nail clippers and also know how to do it properly so as not to hurt your dog. Do you have a dog as a pet and don't know how to trim their nails? Read this complete guide to learn more about the subject.
Why should you cut your dog's claws?
For the sake of your pet, you must trim their nails frequently. Trimming your dog's nails is far more beneficial than you might think and can even save your pet's life. Not doing so can expose your dog to various risks, and it could even seriously scratch you if it's a habit of climbing on you. Trimming your dog's nails helps prevent scratching, even if it's a young dog.
A dog's very long nail decreases its quality of life and comfort level.
A dog's overgrown nail can cause pain and other problems, ranging from mild to severe. Your dog will no longer feel healthy, and their quality of life may gradually decline. You may also notice the development of spinal or posture problems. This can disrupt their walking style and cause constant discomfort.
Your dog's movement may be limited and their comfort significantly reduced. Very long nails aren't retractable like cat claws, so it's important to trim them with dog nail clippers, for example.
To avoid the risk of dog claw diseases
If you want to reduce the risk of dog nail diseases , you need to take care of their nails. There are diseases such as canine leishmaniasis that can cause dogs' nails to grow excessively. Preventing these diseases is very important and increases the need for your dog to have their nails trimmed. Therefore, everyone should trim their dog's nails periodically.
To prevent an ingrown claw in your dog
A dog's nail that's too long can quickly lead to an ingrown nail, which can disrupt your pet's well-being. In fact, it's a nail that twists inward and ends up penetrating the animal's paw pad. This can cause severe pain for the dog.
When and how often should you trim your dog's nails?
It's important to know exactly when your dog's nails are too long to trim. Contrary to what many people might think, determining this point isn't complicated. One simple method is to observe your dog's front paws. If you notice their nails touching the ground, then you need to take action. This means the nails are already too long and need trimming. A nail that is trimmed regularly will no longer be a problem.
Nails should normally not touch the ground. Likewise, when a clicking noise begins to be heard or you notice long nails turned to the side, trimming is necessary. You should be able to do this little check quite often to protect your companion. If you entrust the trimming to a groomer, they will be able to advise you on how often to trim and the appropriate nail length.
How to cut a dog's nails?
Now you know why it's important and how often your dog's nails should be trimmed. Now you need to know how to trim a dog's nails properly. Although the process is quite simple, you must understand and follow each step carefully to avoid injuring your pet. Therefore, simply using dog nail clippers or dog nail trimmers isn't enough. Short nails don't always need to be trimmed.
What is the ideal length for dog nails?
Before you start trimming your dog's nails with a nail clipper , you need to know the ideal nail length. This is what will help you ensure that you are taking proper care of your dog's nails. Once you understand how often to trim your dog's nails , knowing the right nail length is pretty easy. You actually need to trim long nails so that they don't touch the ground.
If the clipped nails still touch the ground or you hear noises while the animal is walking, it is not yet the right size. Dog nails have two colors and you need to be able to identify them to trim them to the right level. Therefore, you can refer to this in addition to the dog's nail size. You can also find more information by following the advice of a veterinarian .
To avoid cutting too much, you can simply do it in small increments. Cutting a few millimeters above the live part of the nail is ideal. This way, you can cut the nail to the perfect size without hurting or damaging the dog's claw during the grooming process.
Using a dog nail clipper and choosing the right accessories
Dog nail clippers are one of the most important tools you'll need to prepare for your dog's nail care. They allow you to get a clean cut of your dog's tough nails if handled properly, without causing too much discomfort. There are also guillotine nail clippers for puppies. They come with other accessories like scissors, which are just as important for the care you need.
These must be well selected for everything to go smoothly. Indeed, the long claws of dogs are very rigid and thick, so you need to have the right equipment to successfully cut them. Sometimes it will be necessary to keep the nail soaked to soften the thick tips so that they can be cut easily. The correct method is to soak the claws and nails and not wait for them to dry before cutting. It is especially important not to use a human nail clipper or simple nail scissors, as they are not at all designed for animals.
Nail clippers are available in different sizes (large and small) and can be chosen depending on whether it is for a small or large dog. They are available in pet stores and in our online store with our collection of dog nail clippers .
They will allow you to trim your dog 's nails and claws safely. Dog nail clippers allow you to trim a tough nail. This may be a nail that is normally difficult to cut with simple wire cutters. You can also use a pair of scissors or an electric nail file specially designed for dogs.
Unlike dog nail clippers, this last tool allows you to file your dog's nails just like a cat tree would for a cat's claws. It's important to go slowly if you decide to use nail clippers to trim your dog's nails. Certain tools should be avoided when caring for your dog's nails. A cutter, for example, is not a utensil to use in this case. You may also want to consider having a flashlight to properly trim dark nails or using a dog nail clipper with an LED light, also available in our online store.
A magnifying glass can also help you see more clearly so you don't hurt your dog with the wire cutters. To go further and relieve your companion, you can also buy a paw balm. If you have all the necessary accessories, all that's left is to safely trim your dog's nails while making them feel comfortable to begin with.
How to cut your dog's claws properly?
This is the actual cutting step, and it must be clean and precise. You must be careful enough and go step by step, first defining the part to be cut. Dog claws have two colors that indicate two parts. The first is transparent, while the other is pink and contains blood. Therefore, you must cut the dog's nail precisely at the translucent part to avoid causing pain to the dog.
For dogs with light or very light colored nails, it is quite easy to distinguish the different parts. However, for those with very dark nails, identification can be more difficult and there is a significant risk of cutting the dog's nail at the level of the blood vessels. In this case, you can use a flashlight to better identify the different parts.
Be careful not to cut the dog's claw more than necessary; it should not be cut too short, as this could cut a vein. You must also understand that your dog must be prepared and trained to receive such care. Caring for their paws is a treatment that must be scheduled fairly often. Teach them to be comfortable when you handle their paws. Lift and hold their paws for a few moments before putting them down, then repeat the operation.
These are the steps of an important preparation process that allows your pet to feel comfortable when you have to trim their claws. Once the area to be trimmed has been defined, your dog is comfortable, and you have all the necessary equipment at hand, you can move on. You should trim the dog's nail gradually and parallel to the base for greater efficiency. Proceed in this way for each nail until you have finished with all the paws.
After cutting the nails, you will quickly realize that they have a rather irregular appearance. You can therefore file the nails to make them more pleasant and prevent them from getting caught on clothes for example. The nail file can also allow you to round the edges, it is therefore interesting to buy a nail clipper as well as a nail file for dogs at the same time. For a perfect result, opt for a nail clipper and file for dogs directly from our store. This will offer an optimal result for your pet and will prevent it from damaging your interior, so you gain a lot by not neglecting the filing. At the end, you can even apply balm to the nails just to soften them. This is the essential information to know to know how to cut a dog 's nails .
Reassure your dog and reward him
While you're trimming your dog's nails, you need to get used to reassuring him. You need to put him in a good position so he doesn't resist too much while you trim the sharp ends of his nails. Don't rush, but take your time and pay attention to your little friend's reactions. Try to find a position that's comfortable enough for him and that also allows you to hold his paw properly to trim the tips.
At the end, remember to reward your dog to motivate him for future visits. Petting and treats might do the trick. A piece of treat at each stage will make him happy during the break. Petting is a sign of affection that will make him even happier. He'll then associate the normally unpleasant experience with a reward that changes everything.
This will reduce his fear, and he'll be more likely to submit the next time you try to trim his overgrown nail. It's not recommended to force a dog if he's resisting what you want to do. The process could be even more complicated if his nail grows back.
Have your dog's nails trimmed by a veterinarian
If you're not comfortable trimming your dog's nails yourself, there's another option. You can let a professional do it for your little dog's best benefit.
At a veterinarian's office, your dog will receive the best care and leave with well-trimmed nails. Veterinarians have the know-how, equipment, and skills to do it properly. So, if you're not sure you can do it yourself, visit a veterinarian or a grooming salon. You can also leave with some tips that will be useful for a long time to come.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about dog nail care
How much does it cost to have your dog's nails cut at the vet?
As you might expect, having your dog's nails trimmed by a veterinarian comes at a price. Hiring a specialist to trim your dog's nails will cost you between €15 and €40. With prices that aren't regulated, you'll notice they vary everywhere.
Depending on the vet you visit, you may pay a low or high price. With several options available, all you have to do is choose the best place to get your dog's manicures and pedicures.
What should I do if my dog has a torn nail?
Worried about your dog's torn nail due to infection? It's an injury that shouldn't be neglected, even if dogs don't seem fragile. With the risk of dog nail infection, the best thing you can do for your dog's well-being is to treat the injury.
If you're not really familiar with the problem, it's best to consult a veterinarian. They will know exactly what treatment is needed to quickly relieve your dog's pain. They can then take into account the severity of the wound left by the torn nail or broken claw.
What should I do if my dog has an ingrown claw?
If your dog has an ingrown toenail, you should trim it to allow him to be comfortable. An ingrown dog nail can be very painful and prevent him from walking properly. To do this, gently pull the dog's nail out and then trim it at the transparent part.
If you are unable to do this, it is best to make an appointment with a veterinarian and let them handle it. They will be able to provide the necessary care for ingrown toenails.
How to prevent potential nail bleeding after clipping?
If you make a mistake while clipping your dog's nails and your dog starts bleeding, don't worry. You can prevent further bleeding with a few simple steps. It's important to act quickly to prevent dirt from getting into the wound. You can use a compress or simply hydrogen peroxide to stop the bleeding. If it doesn't stop after 30 minutes, contact a veterinarian.
I cut my dog's nail too short, what should I do?
Even if you proceed carefully, it can happen that you end up with a nail that is cut too short for your dog. If this happens and the dog's claw bleeds, you should not let the wound go untreated. You must take care of it even if you think it's not something serious. There is always a risk of infection, and you must disinfect the wound.
Should a dog's dewclaw be clipped?
Many people tend to forget about the dog's dewclaw when trimming their dog's nails. You should know that trimming dewclaws is important to protect dogs from accidental injuries. In reality, the dog's dewclaw is not subject to any friction when the animal moves.
It doesn't wear out over time and can become bent and eventually become painful for the dog. The dog could end up being injured by the dewclaw that hasn't been trimmed. At your next appointment, remember to do this and have your nail clippers ready. You can schedule an appointment with a veterinarian or groomer to have it done for you.
Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.
