Why Dog Nail Trimming Is Important
If your dogs nails become too long it can put pressure on his pads and paws, which ultimately causes strain in the legs and knees. As a guide, your dogs claws shouldnt protrude over his pad, and shouldnt touch the ground when he stands. A tell-tale sign that his nails are too long is if you can hear them tapping on the floor as he walks.
What Should I Do If My Dog’s Nail Starts Bleeding
Whether theyve caught it themselves or youve clipped too far down the nail, you need to make sure you dont leave the blood vessel exposed and bleeding. Nails can sometimes seem to bleed a lot, which can be very upsetting and worrying to see, but is unlikely to cause problems for a healthy dog.
Although it may look scary with all of that blood around, keep everyone calm around you, so your dog doesnt worry.
Ask someone to contact your vet straight away for advice. Meanwhile, youll need to try and stem the bleeding. Firstly, youll need someone to help you to hold your dog while you apply a bandage. If youve got a pet first aid kit, then that would be very useful. Find a sterile and non-adherent dressing and apply it directly on the nail, applying pressure with your hand, then use a bandage to wrap over the dressing and nail, then around the paw and secure it with a piece of tape or by tying a bow with the bandage material. If the blood starts to come through the dressing, dont remove it just add another bandage layer over the top until you can get to your vet.
Clipping Your Dogs Nails
- Had a tutorial from your vet/veterinary nurse? Youre ready to go! First of all, ensure you purchase the correct type of dog nail clippers from your veterinary practice or groomer.
- Only use nail trimmers that have been specifically designed for pets, and ensure they are sharp and well-maintained to make the job as easy as possible.
- Depending on the size of your dog, sit him on your lap, or sit on the floor next to him hell find the closeness reassuring, as well as it being practical.
- Ask a friend or family member to help by holding your dogs head and providing reassurance. Even if hes not a fan of having his nail clipped, hell probably enjoy the fuss!
- Hold your dog’s paws firmly and push lightly on the pads to make the dog nail stick out.
- Starting at the very end of his nail, clip at a 45-degree angle with the cutting end of the nail clipper towards the nail.
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Bring Them To The Vet For Dog Nail Trimming In Boston
Last but not least, the other alternative to clipping your dogs nails is to bring them to the vet and let us do it! As a Fear Free Certified staff, we have all the techniques and tricks to make sure your pet has a pleasant, stress-free experience. Call us at 247-2273 to make an appointment for nail trimming or any of our other dog grooming services!
Pets & Vets: Not A Veterinary Perspective A Human One
Unfortunately, some dogs will have long quicks. Especially if their nails have become very long. If you do catch the quick the first thing to do is not to panic. Keep calm and reassure your dog.
Quicks can seem to bleed a lot if they are caught but it is usually only a minor injury.
You can apply pressure to the end of the nail with a cold flannel or cloth to help the blood clot. This can take 2-4 minutes.
Make sure your dog does not disturb the clot for up to half an hour afterwards.
If you are clipping your dogs nails at home you can get powders, pens and sticks which are clotting agents and will stop the bleeding faster when applied, with pressure, to the nail, although they can sting slightly.
It is advisable to have one of these in your dog first aid kit.
If you have tried either of the above and your dogs nail is still bleeding please phone your vet.
Some dogs will not let their owners or even vets clip their nails as they can get very distressed by the process.
Increased pavement walking or using nail files can sometimes help reduce how often their nails need to be clipped. However, when they need to be done we can try giving them anti-anxiety or calming tablets before seeing us. This helps to take the edge off and relax them for the process.
Unfortunately for some dogs they may need to come in and have a full sedation for nail clipping.
If you would like to chat about any of these options please phone your vets.
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Dog Nail Trimming Alternative
As an alternative to cutting their dogs nails, some people choose to grind them down with a Dremel tool specifically created for pet nails.
The Dremel uses a special sandpaper-type bit and a 30,000 RPM speed to grind the nails down quickly and safely.
Its best to use the nail grinder every 7-10 days for maintenance.
For dogs with long hair, trim the hair around the toes prior to filing, and move the Dremel around constantly to avoid friction that can cause an uncomfortable warming sensation.
With the right tools, a little patience, and a whole lot of treats, you can save some time and save your pup the stress of traveling to the groomer or the vet clinic.
References
How To Cut Dog Nails That Are Black
Dogs with black nails can present more of a challenge. Since their nail is naturally pigmented, it can be difficult to see where the quick begins.
Once you begin cutting, you may see a chalk-like white ring that surrounds the beginning of the quick. If you feel uncomfortable clipping your dogs black nails, schedule a nail trim appointment at your veterinarians office.
You can also ask one of the veterinary clinic employees to demonstrate how to cut black nails properly.
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Where Can I Bathe My Dog Near Me
Best Dog Bath Near Me
- Doggie Bath-O-Matt. 111 reviews. Pet Groomers. …
- Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub – San Francisco. 223 reviews. Pet Groomers. …
- Doggylicious Mobile Doggy Wash. 203 reviews. …
- Pet Food Express. 158 reviews. …
- Groom Dog Spaw. 120 reviews. …
- Happy Tails. 30 reviews. …
- The Bathing Dog. 54 reviews. …
- Foggy Doggy Grooming Salon. 222 reviews.
What Do You Need To Get Started
Dog nail clippers
Choose a pair of dog-specific nail clippers. Large dogs are often easier to cut with large clippers, and small dogs may need a pair of clippers used for rabbits and guinea pigs. Make sure the clippers are sharp. Blunt clippers can do more harm than good as they instead squeeze the nail and cause pain in the dog.
Rewards
Using small treats will help to reward your dog so that they associate claw clipping with something nice.
Nail file
Sometimes the edges of the nails become sharp after cutting them. Filing the edges will reduce the risk of scratches and wounds. A nail file can also be used instead of cutting the nails. It may take longer but can suit dogs who, for example, do not like the sound of clippers.
Haemostatic powder
Sometimes when the nails are cut, the sensitive quick is cut by accident. For these cases, it is good to have haemostatic powder to hand to help the bleeding to stop. This powder is very effective put a small amount of powder where the claw is bleeding. Haemostatic powder is available at most pharmacies, pet stores or at your vet. Potato flour can also have a similar action.
Compress, cotton wool or paper
Instead, you can apply a compress, cotton wool or paper on the claw to stop bleeding.
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How Do I Prevent My Dog From Developing A Fear Of Nail Trimming
It is best to begin dog training early in life. In addition to sit and stay, pups can learn to relax when their nails are trimmed. When petting your new pup, rub her feet and put pressure on her toes. Let her investigate the nail clippers as they lie on the floor, then open and close them so she can hear the noise they make. Next, clip the very tip off a nail while providing positive reinforcement with praise and treats. Your pup should not develop a fear of the clippers if exposed to them in a positive manner at a young age.
Is It Better To Cut Or Grind Dog Nails
Cutting a dogs nails with the correctly-sized dog nail cutter is much quicker and more efficient than grinding. It also avoids the problems of dogs who dont like the feeling of a grinder against their nail. If you simply want to give your dogs nails a quick cut, using a clipper is best, as it is quick and efficient.
The PawSafe trimmer has the added benefit of a LED light that can shine through your dogs nail to help see the quick.
On the other hand, while it may take longer, a nail grinder smooths away the nail, avoiding splintering or cracks, and making it easier to avoid the quick. It leaves your dog with a more polished nail surface. A grinder is a good option if you want a perfect finish on your dogs paws or to handle problem areas on the nail.
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Failing To Trim My Pets Nails
Consistent nail maintenance isnt simply cosmetic. In some cases, nails can cause pain and trigger irreversible damage to the animal.
When people think of the damage a pets nails can cause, most consider scratches on hardwood floors, carpet snags, and claw marks on furniture. However, long nails create potential issues for animals a splayed foot, reduced traction, deformed feet, and even injured tendons over time. As long nails hit the ground, it puts force on the foot and leg structure. This force can potentially lead to arthritis and ongoing pain.
The growth pattern of a dogs nails forms a curved shape. If left untrimmed, the claws will eventually curve under the dogs paws and dig into the skin, creating pain when they walk. Anyone who has ever experienced an ingrown toenail can attest to the amount of pain this will cause. To compensate for this discomfort, dogs will put more weight on their back paws than their front. This can lead to sore muscles and joints, backaches, and eventually arthritis.
Longer nails can also snag carpets and get caught on fabrics. The outer enamel of the nail can wear away when trying to pry the foot when snagged. This can lead to exposure of the inside of the nail known as the quick. Once exposed, potential injuries and infections are likely.
What To Do If Youre Really Finding It Difficult
Some dogs may show signs of significant stress or even aggression when faced with having their claws trimmed, despite gradual introductions to claw trimming, plenty of patience, positive reinforcement and treats. If this is the case, you should never try and force your dog to have their claws trimmed, but you should consider consulting your vet, who may in turn refer you to a behaviourist.
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How To Cut Your Dogs Nails
There are many different trimmers, scissors, and grinders available for dog nail grooming. Use whichever one you and your dog are most comfortable with, and keep some styptic or clotting powder on hand in case of any nicks or cuts.
If its your first time cutting your dogs nails, start by removing small amounts until you get comfortable with where the quick of the nail is.
Avoid trimming past the curve of each nail. This will put the nails quick at risk of being cut. Cuts here cause bleeding and a lot of pain. If your dog has dark nails, you can find the quick by looking for a chalky white ring.
How Often Should You Cut Your Dog’s Nails
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Most people love getting manicures and pedicures. Dogs, not so much! But if we can create the same relaxing and positive experience for our dog as we get at the salon, they may grow to love it or at least tolerate it.
Check out our article How to Get Your Dog Used to Nail Trims for tips to help your dog if they are nervous about getting their nails done.
Creating the right ambiance includes developing confidence in ones ability to trim your dog’s nails properly and knowing what essentials are needed to make it a good experience. But one of the questions I get asked most often about dog nails is how often should they be trimmed?
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How Can I Help My Dog So We Can Have Successful Non
1. Get your dog accustomed to seeing nail clippers. Remember that this mechanical tool may be new to your dog or may be associated with past trauma. Either way, she has to resolve the fear of clippers. Summon your dog and pick up the clippers in her presence. Act happy when you grab the clippers and give your dog a treat. Repeat this step several times a day for a couple of weeks. Your dog should quickly learn to associate the sight of the clippers with praise and treats. When she gets excited to see the clippers, move to step 2.
2. Train your dog to allow paw handling. When your dog is relaxed, lightly touch her shoulder and work your way down to her paw. Use a soothing voice to keep her calm as you gently rub her paws. Then focus on the toes, giving each one a soft squeeze. Next apply gentle pressure to the nail itself. If your dog becomes scared or pulls back her paw, stop for a bit and continue only when she settles down. Treats may supplement verbal rewards but are not a substitute for them. Withhold both when the dog retracts her paw, but do not scold her. Repeat this process several times a day.
6. Sharpen the clipper blades regularly. Dull blades can mean painful trimming.
Risks Of Using Human Nail Clippers On Your Dog
For a large dog, human nail clippers simply wont be effective since it will be impossible to fit much of the nail in our clippers. You may be able to trim little edges off, but this makes for an uneven surface and shape that can lead to jagged edges and cracking.
You want to protect the integrity of a dogs natural shape, and keep the surface whole and smooth. Using the wrong clipper can cause cracks, especially in older dogs with brittle nails. Dogs with immune problems including allergies, diabetes, and endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism are also at risk of nail problems.
Even if you dont damage the quick, nail damage and trauma is the leading cause of infections. This can include protozoal or fungal infections, but in rare cases, they can contract a bacterial infection so bad, your vet may need to amputate a toe.
And yes, overzealous, or improper nail trimming can lead to these infections. You can read more about this in why is my dogs nail turning black?.
Even if you have a small dog and you can fit a human clipper over their nail, the shape of the clipper will squeeze the quick in a way that specialized dog guillotine clippers are designed not to.
The pressure from two flat surfaces will be far more painful for the sensitive quick inside the nail, and just make nail trimming a far more unpleasant experience for your dog than it needs to be.
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Sedate Dog To Trim Nails
Its easy to notice when your dogs nails are long and need clipping. There is no need to spend much money paying a groomer or vet to clip your dogs nails. Sedate your pup and use a pair of high-quality nail clippers to do the job yourself.
If your dog is still stubborn, do not force the situation.
Wait for another time or another day to try cutting his nails again. Train your dog to get comfortable around the nail clippers before trying to trim the nails.
Its also crucial for you to remain calm. If youre nervous, your dog will be nervous too.
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Common reasons dogs lick include showing love and affection, marking
How To Cut Dog Nails At Home
The following step-by-step guide can help reduce the stress of nail clipping by desensitizing your pup to the process. Take as much time as your dog needs, before moving on to the next step. Try to make the experience as positive as possible. A silicone treat mat with a little doggy peanut butter or wet dog food can be a fantastic distraction aid.
Step 1. Begin by gently handling your dogs paws until they become used to it. Remember to reward with lots of praise and treats. Be guided by your dog and take as much time as they need to become comfortable with this process.
Step 2. Hold the paw firmly but gently, holding long fur out of the way of the nails with your thumb and fingers. If your dog finds this stressful or wriggles a lot, stop. Keep practicing with short sessions each day.
Step 3. Cut one nail. Push your thumb gently upwards underneath the pad to expose the claw. Cut the very tip of the nail straight across with the nail clippers. Start by clipping only one nail and rewarding your pup to keep the experience positive. This is especially important if your pup is a little anxious.
Step 4. Cutting the nails. When your pup is comfortable with the previous steps, you can slowly build up. If your dog has white nails you will be able to see the quick . You should always try to trim at least 2mm below the quick to avoid bleeding. When learning to trim nails, less is more. Its much better to take small amounts off the tip regularly than risk cutting the nail too short.
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