How To Trim Dog Nails

When it comes to pet care, grooming becomes an inevitable part. You would not want your dog to have dirty hair and nails, isn’t it? Although your dog is nurtured in a healthy environment at your home, trimming of nails should be done on a regular basis, because you never know when the dirt accompanied by germs gets deposited inside the long hard nails. While performing the task, you should be very careful and calm. We are here to help you with systematic guidance on how to trim dog nails.

Trimming Your Dog's Nails

Things Required

Dog Nail Clipper
Filer
Styptic Powder
Treats

Procedure

In order to trim your dog’s nails, you will have to purchase nail clippers that are specially made for the pet. Nail clippers designed to cut human fingernails won’t serve the purpose, as pets have very hard nails.
In case of your pet is a small puppy, position it on your lap to go about trimming its nails. In case of the dog is grown up, make it sit on a table or couch, so that you can have easy access to the nails.
The dog may get nervous when you start trimming the nails. To avoid a fuss, talk to your dog throughout the clipping process, to give assurance that every thing is fine.
After comforting the dog, get hold of its palm. After acquiring a firm grip, hold the nail clipper in such a way that the movable part is next to your fingers and the stationary part is against your palm.
Before you start trimming, you need to clear the dirt from the tip of the nails using a filer. Be careful while doing it.
Cutting the nails from the top and moving downwards can be painful for the pet. Hence, start from the bottom of the nails and move upwards. While cutting the nails, your fingers should be in contact with the pad of your dog’s foot.
Apply less force while trimming the hard nails. Stop cutting the nail when you are closer to the “quick” or vein of the nail.
After you are done with the work, file the sharp edges of the nails, with the help of a filer.
Repeat the process with all the other paws.

Tips

Stay calm while trimming the nails of your dog, because your nervousness can transmit to your dog also.
Make the dog comfortable. Supply treats to the pet or involve it in a conversation while trimming the nails.
Do not cut your dog’s nail into the quick, as it can cause bleeding. In case the dog bleeds, apply pressure and Styptic powder to the tip of the nail immediately. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, take your dog to the vet.

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