Does The Vet Clip Nails

How To Clip Your Dogs Nails

If your dog hasnt had their nails clipped before, or if you havent clipped dogs nails yourself, it can be a strange experience for both of you! However, if you prepare well, keep your dog calm, and follow these simple steps youll be done in no time.

And of course, if youre still not sure, your vet will be happy to help.

How Often Should You Clip Your Dog’s Nails

Cutting your dog’s nails frequently will cause the quick to recede and allow the nails to be trimmed shorter. So, if it’s possible and practical to trim your dog’s nails weekly or at least every other week, you’ll likely see better results, have a much less stressed dog, and experience less stress yourself in the process.

A good rule of thumb is that you should trim your dog’s nails, or have them trimmed, as often as it takes to prevent their nails from touching the ground when they’re standing .

While this frequency will be different for each dog, there are some other factors that affect how often you need to clip your dog’s nails:

How To File Your Dogs Nails To Smooth Them After Clipping

Filing your dogs nails is primarily done to remove any sharp tips or fragments left over after clipping your dogs nails.

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Vets And The Pup Pedicure

Although a significant percentage of my owners have trained their pets to accept the manipulation of their paws and rely on a professional groomer to get the job done on a regular basis a surprising many still rely on the every-time-we-see-the-vet trim.

Lets be honest: Any pet who gets a nail trim only when it’s time to see the vet is receiving a dubiously beneficial service that often only serves to make him more afraid of the vets office. After all, claws grow out within a month and less in many cases.

Still want his nails trimmed? Go to the groomer. Go to your local pet superstore. Go anywhere except the place where stress should be minimized at all costs, so a good attitude can be preserved for when injury and illness happen.

You ask: But isnt nail trimming medically indicated? Isnt it an integral part of my pets good health?

My answer: In my opinion, a vet should go out of her way to explain the importance of nail trimming for optimum pet health. It reduces such injuries as claw and toe fractures, prevents ingrown curved nails and minimizes orthopedic problems that can result from poor claw positioning.

But heres the thing: I dont bathe, brush, feed or exercise your pets. And theyre all necessary for good health. So why is it that I should be expected to trim their toenails? Expecting a veterinarian to do it is like assuming your physician will remove the wax from your ears.

Long Claws Have A Long Quick

Dogs whose claws have not been trimmed for a long time should be trimmed cautiously because long claws will also have a long quick. In these situations you may want to start by shortening the claws a little at a time and do this regularly to ensure that the quick is retreating. Shortening the claws to a healthy length may, in some instances, take months, but will be worth it as it allows your dog to move without pain. Once their claws are shorter and more mobile, exercising more easily will help to wear down the claws as well.

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Nail Care For Dogs Who Are Touchable

If you can touch your dog, and they’ll take treats from you, you have even more nail care options:

• Long walks on paved surfaces: If you’re able to leash up and walk your dog, this can be a great option. For some dogs, daily walks on city sidewalks is enough to keep their nails in check
• Train your dog to enjoy nail filing or clipping. We didn’t cover this training in today’s video, but you can check out this online courseoffered by one of our colleagues.

I hope this week’s material gave you some idea about how to maintain your pup’s nails- even if you can’t touch them! If you’re looking for more one-on-one guidance with your fearful dog, check out our online training membership, the Reactive Dog Academy. For a more personalized plan, sign up for private training.

& nbsp

If you work on your dog’s nail care and have success, or trouble, we want to hear from you. Join our and post your questions or comments there, or email us at

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How Do Vets Cut Aggressive Dogs Nails

Injectable Sedatives Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite.

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How Can I Tell If My Dogs Nails Need To Be Cut

There are some obvious tell tale signs that youll become aware of when your dogs nails need to be cut. Firstly, when your dog walks across a hardwood or tile floor, youll hear each footstep loudly. Secondly, you dogs nails may get tangled or hooked in the pile of the carpet if they walk on it.

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How Do I Know My Dog’s Nails Are Too Long

A good way of finding out is to hold your dog’s paw flat on the palm of your hand. As a general rule, if the nails touch your hand, they may be slightly on the long side. You might also hear them clicking on solid surfaces as they walk.

If their nails are becoming a problem, you may also notice your dog licking or chewing their paws, which may suggest that they’re causing them some discomfort. If you notice any signs of painful claws, you should take your dog to the vets before attempting to cut the nails yourself.

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Why You The Dog Owner Should Be Taking Over Nail Trims From Your Veterinarian

Posted November 22, 2017

News flash!

Dogs. Do. Not. Like. Nail. Trims.

Shocking, right?

Not really. Most people understand this intuitively from watching the shenanigans ensue as soon as a vet tech or groomer puts a dog on a table and grabs a nail trimmer.

As a veterinary behaviorist, Ive seen plenty of fearful and/or aggressive patients get worse after poorly handled nail trims and grooms. Lets stop scaring our friends. Scared dogs are more likely to bite people, and weve already got plenty of public health risks to go around

Thankfully, nail trims are generally not medical procedures. You can, and should, learn to do them at home. But they are extremely important. With untrimmed nails, animals can snag or even rip their claws. More insidiously, long nails can make animals walk and stand abnormally, turning otherwise tiny problems into big deals. Long nails can make animals slip on flooring, and that in turn can make them more anxious and less willing to move or play. In short, nail care is key for animal health and welfare.

The problem is that good nail trims may or may not be fast, but clients often expect that they should be. This is likely because, for eons, veterinary clinics have offered this frequently performed technical procedure either free or below-cost. As a result, clients often think of nail trims as a quick or add-on service that barely even needs an appointment.

Heres the skinny.

VETS WANT YOU TO KNOW

This is the best medicine. Listen to your vet.

Do Vets Clip Dog Nails Uk

Before you start. If your dog is a bit nervous, stressed or upset about having his nails clipped, or at worst tries to nip you, do not try to clip his nails yourself its fine to ask your vet to do it. Most veterinary practices have clinics where dog nail clipping can be done easily and cheaply.

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How Much Does It Cost To Get Dog Nails Removed

Knowing where the quick is will help you to trim to just before that point. The general recommendation is to cut approx 2mm away from the quick. But if a dog has black or dark claws it can be difficult or impossible to see the quick and this will make nail trimming more difficult.

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Do Dogs Really Need Their Nails Trimmed

Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming, and trim nails are one clear sign of your dogs good health and hygiene. Since nail trimming can be an anxiety-laden experience for many dogs, start handling your puppys feet and trimming their nails when theyre young, so they become accustomed to the process.

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When In Doubt Ask Your Vet

Trimming dogs nails can certainly be a challenge, but it is much easier if you start early and make it a simple, positive process that happens regularly. Keeping up with it will also help you avoid painful conditions for your dog that may be very expensive to remedy. If you need help or guidance, just ask. Your vet and their technical staff are all experienced in this area and would be happy to teach you. Trimming dogs nails is one of the most common demonstrations clients ask us for, especially with black nails where you cant see the quick. If you decide its beyond you, just bring them in for a visit. Wed be happy to fix them up with a mani/pedi with a medical eye.

Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center in Palmer is Alaskas only comprehensive animal hospital. We are available by appointment, in additiontoaccepting emergencies andwalk-ins. With CT, MRI, and Ultrasound available on-site, our facility provides advanced treatment options for your pet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Importance Of Regular Clipping

Allowing a dog’s nails to grow too long can result in injuries. Not only may the nails crack, but your dog is more likely to get his toenail caught in the carpet or his bedding and rip the nail off. This can be extremely painful and will require immediate veterinary attention. Once nails are overgrown, the dog may require sedation in order to grind the nails down to the proper length.

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What To Do If Your Dogs Nails Bleed

• Have silver nitrate sticks, which are available from your vet, and cotton wool balls nearby in case you do accidentally nick the dog nail quick.
• If so, and it bleeds, don’t panic it can happen to all of us. Calmly apply the silver nitrate to the end of the claw and press it with a cotton wool ball for a moment.
• If the bleeding doesnt stop, consult your vet immediately for further help with your dog nail clipping technique.
• Silver nitrate may sting, so ask your helper to hold your dog if the need arises.

What To Choose As Alternative Of Sedating Dogs

If at all possible, avoid using sedative medications. Even though your dog is picky about getting their nails trimmed, natural alternatives may be a better option if he doesnt exhibit severe behaviour to avoid the grooming process.

You can use these goods without worrying about anything bad happening to you. Theyre less likely to cause adverse effects.

They wont put your dog to sleep completely. Instead, they have a relaxing effect, making the process easier to handle.

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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.

What If I Make The Nails Bleed

If you accidentally cut the nails too short you can use styptic powder, corn starch, or simply use a clean bar of soap and run it under the damaged nail. The soap will plug the vessel and stop the bleeding. Usually if you have made your dog bleed, they will be a bit nervous next time, so make sure you have lots of treats at the ready and take it slow. If you pet is nervous about nail trimming, view this video on how to counter condition your dog and get him used to nail trims.

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How Long Should Dogs Nails Be

One of the most common foot issues in domestic dogs is long toenails. Ideally, the nails should not touch the ground when standing on a firm level surface, but are long enough to provide traction when climbing a hill or digging.

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Get Them Trimmed At The Vet

Are you taking your dog to the vet regularly for some reason? Do you live super close to your veterinarian? In these cases, it might be worth it to get your dogs nails trimmed at the vet!

Will The Vet Cut My Dogs Nails?

Yes, veterinary offices offer nail trims as a service. Sometimes a nail trim can only be scheduled as an add-on service and a veterinarian might not accept your dog just for a nail trim appointment. This depends on the vet hospitals policies and business!

The pros of taking your dog to the vet are that a professional is going to take care of your dog, and it will probably be faster than doing it at home. The cons are that it can be costly and your dog might get stressed when making trips to the vet.

At a vet office, the cost for a trim can range anywhere from $12-$30 and more depending on your dogs attitude, size, and health status.

Do Dogs Need To Be Sedated For Nail Trims?

Most dogs wont be sedated for nail trims! However, as a veterinary technician, I can tell you that sometimes sedation is easier for both the staff and the animal. For extremely aggressive or anxious dogs, sedation reduces the risk of injury all around. It also makes a more pleasant experience for your dog, and they will be less afraid of a nail trim next time.

Its important to note that sedation will cost you extra and this cost is widely variable between different vet hospitals.

Do Certain Breeds Cost More?

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How Often Should A Dogs Nails Be Cut

The amount of time between nail trims depends on how quickly your dogs nails grow and how quickly they are worn down. The average dog should have his nails clipped every three to four weeks, but it should be done as often as needed to keep the nail from touching the ground when your dog is standing.

Will A Vet Sedate A Dog To Trim Nails

If you go to a vet, they can twilight sedate the dog, trim his nails, and it will cost you an exam fee, sedation, and the trimming. You can go see the vet, tell him you need something to relax the dog when going to the groomer to get the nails done, and he will give you a prescription/pills.

Can I ask the vet to trim my cats nails?

The best way to calm your fears is to ask your vet or a professional groomer to train you in the proper techniques for nail trimming. Some cats can have nails that grow around and into the pad, so these do need to be kept short.

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