Team Work For Nail Cutting
Sometimes nail trimming is more manageable with help
It can help to help to have one person cutting the nails and the other person distracts/rewards the dog with treats.
Another option is picking up and holding the dog.
Daisy has always been great about getting her nails trimmed, but when her arthritis set in, it became painful when I raised her front paw.
Now, my husband picks her up and holds her, letting her legs dangle below. Then I crouch down and trim her nails while my husband holds her.
Another time its nice to have help is if your dog requires restraining. Some dogs get antsy or overly excited and need a firm but gentle hug to hold them in place.
If your dog is aggressive, I recommend you seek professional help or use a secure soft sided muzzle.
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Summary: When To Cut Puppies Nails For The First Time
You should start handling your puppys paws and cutting his nails within days of bringing him home, and then its a very good idea to make it a weekly ritual that way he can get used to the nail cutting.
This weekly ritual will make it far easier to cut his nails as an adult.
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Trimming Your Dogs Nails
There are several types of dog nail trimmers, including scissors, grinder tools specifically designed for dogs, and guillotine types. You can use whatever type you are most comfortable with, or whatever works best for your dog. Its a good idea to have some styptic powder or other clotting powder on hand to stop bleeding in case you cut a nail too short.
If youve never clipped a dogs nails before, you may want to have your veterinarian or vet tech give you a lesson on how to do it, suggests Dr. Jerry Klein, AKCs chief veterinary officer.
Here are the steps to follow to properly trim your dogs nails:
How To Cut Dog Nails Safely
It may be helpful to gradually get your dog accustomed to the sight and sound of the nail clippers before you try to cut your dogs nails.
Try bringing the nail clippers out, clicking them, and letting your dog smell them on different occasions so they get used to them.
Give your dog tasty treats when the clippers come out.
Heres how to cut dog nails safely:
Find a quiet area where your dog is comfortable and free from distractions.
If you have a small dog, hold your dog in your lap or place them on a steady surface. If you have a large dog, its helpful to have another person hold your dog while you cut their nails.
Gently but firmly hold one of your dogs paws between your thumb and forefinger.
Push down slightly on the paw pad to extend the nail forward. Make sure there is no hair blocking your view of the entire nail.
When your dog is holding still, clip straight across the tip of the nail. Do not clip behind the natural curve of the nail.
Give lots of high-value treats before, during, and after to associate nail trims with big rewards.
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What To Do If You Clip The Quick
Even with all the caution in the world its completely possible to clip the quick of your dogs nail.
If you do clip the quick then the nail will bleed, but it wont cause permanent damage. Youll want to use a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding. This should be part of your dog first aid kit essentials.
When Not To Use Nail Clippers
Check the size of your puppy’s nails to help determine whether nail clippers can work for him. Each nail should slide in easily don’t use it if you have to trim the sides to make the center fit inside the clipper’s slot. If your puppy has large paws with long nails, a set of dog nail trimmers might be best. Trimming off just the pointed tip of the nail might not get them short enough, and the human nail trimmers that fit over the point won’t fit over the thicker section beneath the quick.
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Procedure For Cutting Puppy Nails
- Place the puppy on your lap or sturdy table/counter-top. Hold the paw firmly but not pinching in one hand. Locate the top of the nailthat apex where the nail begins to curve downward. That is usually where the blood supply ends. A puppy with white nails will be much easier as you will be able to see where the vein stops.
- Clip the nail past the quick using one of the clippers described above.
- Do a fast filing or grinding of the nails after all have been cut. This will prevent anyone from being scratched by ragged nails.
Products For Trimming Your Puppys Claws
If youre looking for some tools to make your cutting your puppys nails easier, choose:
Guillotine clippers – make it easier to slice through the nails without crushing them. With a retractable blade thats activated by squeezing the handle, theyre tough enough to cut through even a large dogs claws. Theyll typically come in multiple sizes, allowing you to match them to the size of your puppy
Rotary sander – great for smoothing the edge of a trimmed nail once it has been clipped, although some dogs dislike the sound of them. Youll need to replace the parts frequently but theyre a good option if youre not keen on clipping
Styptic power – keep this on hand just in case you cut the quick. You can pick up this handy powder at most pet shops and vets.
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Why Are My Puppys Nails Peeling
There are several systemic issues that can cause your puppys nails to peel. Many times peeling nails means your pup isnt getting enough fat in their diet. But it can also be symptoms of a more serious condition like:
- Congenital disorders
- Bacteria or fungus
- Infection
If your puppy has a single peeling nail, then it is probably related to trauma to the nail and will most likely heal as the new nail comes in. If there are multiple nails affected there may be an underlying condition and its a good idea to go see a vet.
How To Grind Puppy Nails
Grinding or dremeling a puppys nails is an alternative to clipping and if you plan on using this option as your dog gets older its a good thing to work on after about 12 weeks.
Remember you should be clipping your puppies nails about once a week with a human nail clipper before this.
Video Demonstration: Grinding a Dogs Nails
Heres how to do it.
Tip: When using a grinder dont stay on any one nail for more than a few seconds to avoid heat build up.
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How Often To Trim Dog Nails
It depends dogs who are used to walking on soft ground can have a harder time controlling the length of their nails, compared to dogs who walk on hard ground . Moreover, thats not the only factor at play. Dog nail cutting requirements are also affected by:
- Genetic factors
- Feeding habits
- How active your dog is
However, wed recommend cutting your dogs nails every 2 weeks to maintain ideal nail length. Furthermore, the more you trim their overgrown nails, the more the blood vessel will retreat back into the claw. Therefore, frequent dog nail trimming is highly essential.
Cutting Puppy Nails Made Easy
Cutting puppy nails doesn’t have to be traumatic – even if they are tiny nails on a wriggly paw!
Like humans, puppies and dogs need to have their nails kept short so that they don’t break or tear.
Puppy nail trimming usually only needs to be done once every 3 or 4 weeks.
If your pup is active and spends a lot of time outside, goes for regular walks or runs on concrete or asphalt etc., his nails will wear down naturally, and nail-trimming won’t need to be done so often.
However, if your little guy spends all his time indoors on carpeted floors, or being carried around, then cutting those little puppy nails is most likely going to be a regular chore – so getting comfortable with doing it is important.
Why Cutting Your Puppy’s Nails Regularly is Important……
Nails which aren’t trimmed regularly are uncomfortable for your pup, and eventually could cause real pain and sometimes inflammation. or more serious issues with the bones and joints in his toes.
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Get An Acepromazine Prescription
Acepromazine is a prescription medication your vet may give your dog if over the counter options dont help with their anxiety.
It can be given by tablet or by injection, depending on your vets final call.
If your dog were to take acepromazine, they could experience:
- Low blood pressure
- Hyperactivity
- Temporarily discolored urine
Try over the counter options before asking your vet about this prescription medication, as theyll most likely advise you to use more common forms of sedation first.
How Often Should You Trim Your Dogs Nails
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.
If your dog is a lapdog whose feet rarely touch the ground, you may need to trim their nails more often, whereas dogs that run on pavement or rough surfaces may not need theirs done that often or at all.
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Why Nail Care Matters
Overgrown nails can become caught in bedding and carpets. They may curl as they grow, and embed into the tender flesh of the paw pad. Claws can split or tear as in the picture and need surgical repair thats pricey and painful. Overgrown nails cause the foot to spread or splay, and can change your puppys gait. Dewclaws on the inside of the lower leg need particular attention since they never contact the ground. Keeping the toenails trimmed also helps reduce inappropriate digging and risk of ringworm.
Our Team Of Experts Has Selected The Best Dog Nail Clippers Out Of Hundreds Of Models
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How To Calm A Puppy While Clipping Their Nails
Puppies are constantly on the move and therefore it is completely normal for them to pull away and wriggle when you try to hold them still. From the moment you bring your puppy home, make sure to stroke, touch and hold them on the ears, paws and pads so theyre used to being handled. This will make treating your dog much easier for yourself, your groomer and your vet further down the line.
Get The Right Supplies
The first thing you’ll need to do is find the tool you want to use to clip your dog’s nails.
Here are the supplies I recommend to have on hand when cutting dog nails:
- Nail grinder for filing
- Styptic powder or pen/gel
As you’ll see in my video, I prefer to use traditional dog nail clippers. They’re fast and easy to use, and that’s what most professional groomers use as well. However, some people prefer a guillotine style clipper, which you’ll see in the photo below, mostly for comfort.
Both of these dog clippers are typically made with stainless steel blades. Traditional clippers are like scissors. You squeeze the handles together and the blades clip the nail by coming together horizontally.
With guillotine style clippers, the blades clip the nail vertically when you squeeze the handles together. There really isn’t much a difference, it just depends on your personal preference and what’s more comfortable for you.
You will also see me using a Dremel dog nail grinder . These are electric devices that file the nail down instead of clipping the tip off. I don’t prefer these simply because it takes a lot longer to trim your dog’s nails with a Dremel than with regular dog clippers. Also, dogs may be timid around a Dremel tool due to the noise that it makes. However, they’re good for finish up a dog’s nail.
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How To Handle Fear Of Clippers
This is totally normal! Dogs nails are sensitive so when you accidentally cut one too short, it hurts! Your dog knows exactly what device caused this pain and might be terrified next time you bring out the clippers. Luckily this is an easy fix if you find yourself in this situation with your dog. Just know that it does take time so youll need to be patient.
What Are The Reasons Why Dogs Wont Let You Trim Their Nails
- Abuse so they are fearful of being touched or restrained
- Previous experiences have been painful
- Have never been trained to have their nails trimmed
- Being restrained the wrong way
- The tool used to trim their nails is uncomfortable or scary
- Not a fan of having their feet touched
Now that we know some of the reasons dogs dont like nail trims, lets figure out how we can get them past this.
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Visit Howstuffworks To Learn How Often You Should Cut Your Nails
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