How to Cut Dog Nails and Why It’s Important

Dogs are tagged as the true human companion or ‘man’s best friend’, and it’s believed that they were called so for the first time in 1789, by King Frederick who ruled Prussia. Studies have proved that owning a pet will increase the chances of yourself finding happiness and pleasure in life. Of all the pet animals, dogs behold multiple roles of being a lifesaver, bodyguard, friend, helper, and so on…

Just like humans find peace and rejoice with the companionship of dogs, certain commitments need to be followed while taking care of your dog, to keep them happy and healthy. Being a pet owner, you might be interested in purchasing the best Dog bandana, or personalised dog collar for your pet. Similar to these pet dog accessories online, you must take care of purchasing the best tools for cutting your dog’s nails safely and securely.

Dog’s nails keep growing over time and need to be trimmed off regularly. Although there are natural ways pet owners adopt to avoid trimming like walking, jogging, and biking with their dogs, this can’t always be favorable to some dogs that prefer staying and moving around indoors and in comfortable areas. Trimming your dog’ nails needs good care since they cater to the health and well-being of your dog.

Understanding your Dog’s Nails

Dogs’ nails usually consist of very hard material in the outer part which is termed as ‘shell’. The soft cuticle is known as ‘quick’, made with a bundle of blood vessels and nerves. The dog’s nails are oval and made of keratin, like human nails. The color of the nails may hinder your ability to quickly understand the ‘quick’. It is advised to hold their paw up and move towards the light so that the pink tissue can be more visible to you.

What Happens If You Don’t Trim Your Dog’s Nails?

Believe it or not, nail trimming is an integral part of your pet grooming. If you neglect to cut your dog’s nails on time, then several undesirable results can occur as follows: 

• The nails can grow and can curve into the dog’s footpad.
• It can cause infection and discomfort to the dog, leading to serious health concerns.
• The floors and furniture of your homes can be damaged with the marks of grown nails.
• Nails may split and move down to the quick, leaving more chances of infection.
• Grown nails will impact their capability to stand and even walk. It can cause deformities for the bone and the nails may tear off.

Importance of trimming your dog’s nails

If you consider the dogs that run on hard and rough surfaces like concrete, they are capable of wearing down the nails. But, most of the pet dogs spend the time usually indoors and roaming around the grassy lawns. In such cases, nails don’t wear down on their own, hence it is important to manually get their nails cut.

As discussed above, too-long nails get torn off, damage your carpet or furniture, and can result in infections.  Hitting nails continuously on the floor can result in high pressure to be hit on the nail bed, which causes discomfort and misalignment of your pet’s toes.

Monthly trimming is required to prevent your dog from developing discomfort and infection due to overgrown nails. Timely trimming can also prevent harmful diseases like Arthritis, and prevent the painful situation that requires veterinary care. To be more precise, proper nail care is important for your pet to stay active, smart, and healthy all the time.

When & How often should you cut your pet’s nails?

You might wonder how to know when you need to cut your dog’s nails. If you find your dog’s nails quite brittle and too long, or you could hear continuous clicking sounds as they walk around, then it shows that it is time to trim their nails. It is always advised to begin cutting their nails right from a young age so that they easily get used to the routine and the tools like nail grinders or clippers.

If you ask how often you should cut the dog’s nails, then the answer is that it depends. If your dog is quite used to walking on hard surfaces or concrete, then you might not have to trim its nails frequently. However, if your dogs are comfortable indoors, then regular cutting will be required. 

Now let’s speak about the thumb rule. Trim the nails once every 3-4 weeks. You may also file their nails to avoid split and sharp nail edges. Additionally, make sure that their nails don’t touch the ground as they stand or walk around.

How to Cut your Dog’s Nails

If your dogs are new to the process of having their nails cut, you must make sure that they are comfortable with the procedure you adopt to get their nails trimmed. This is not something that happens overnight, you can gradually introduce the clippers to your pet, and let them get used to having their paws managed. With a positive atmosphere, treats, and soothing words your dog loves can help you trim their nails, without leaving them nervous. Here are some tips which can be useful for you to cut your dog’s nails. 

You can use clippers to get your dog’s nails cut. Hold your clippers at an angle of 45 degrees. Now, trim every nail carefully, to avoid the clipper hurting them quickly. Quick, being the most sensitive and live part of the nail, must be considered while you try to cut down nails with clippers. Stop before your clippers reach the pink area for white nails, and if your dog has black nails, stop once you stop seeing the whitish interior portion.

How to Choose your Dog Accessories

There are a variety of pet dog accessories you can choose from. The traditional nail clippers can also be shopped along with the other dog accessories online, as per the convenience and comfort of your dog. Make sure that you don’t select an oversized or undersized pair of clippers. Though nail clippers can remove the nails quickly, you should be careful because making it too fast will build pressure on your dog’s nails.

This is why some prefer using nail grinders, instead of nail clippers. The nail grinders are currently available with fast trimming options and dual-speed models. With a nail grinder, you can easily sand off the nail parts and buff the edges perfectly for a smooth finish. While clippers leave some sharp points behind, nail grinders offer a soft finish for the trimmed nails.

Nail grinders are popular and widely used for their speed and ease of use. However, you must take care of the chances of over-grinding, and avoid placing the grinder wheel getting pressed against their nails for more time. Be careful to avoid their nails getting hot and sensitive due to the grinder pressing too long. Consider taking breaks for every nail cut and keep an eye on the quick to avoid bleeding or injuries.

Things to Take Care While Cutting your Dog’s Nails

Always start from the paw. Pick their paw, keep your thumb on your dog’s toe and place your forefinger right on the top of the nail. Push your thumb a little up, and extend the nail. Use your other hand to cut the tip. Cut slowly and be cautious to avoid moving past the curve.

Dog’s nail colors can be a bit confusing at times.  If your pet has got white nails then it is easier to figure out the quick while it is tricky and difficult with black nails. In such cases, you can get an idea about the quick if you look along the sides of the nail. The quick can be visible as a slightly pink shade in the interior part of the nail. For dark and black colored nails, you can see the quick as a black circular spot right at the center beside the nail pulp. 

As already mentioned, it is always better to begin cutting the nails one by one, and slowly. Now, before you try to settle your pet for trimming their nails, ensure you pick styptic powder to stop the bleeding instantly in case you cut the quick accidentally.

Let your dogs enjoy the time you spend with them trimming their nails. Always take care of one paw pad or claw at a time, and build an enjoyable and positive experience making your pet calm and relaxed. Trimming the dog’s nails is not a one-time task, it requires regular care and attention. If your pet refuses to be comfortable with the process, or you find it challenging to manage your pet, then consider having them enlisted for dog training. This can make it easy for both you and your dog to feel easier during the time of nail trimming.

Wrap Up

Make sure you pamper your pet and give them a favorable environment before trimming their nails. You can also give them a good bath to feel cozy and revived. Also, just like you purchase a dog collar, dog bandana, and other pet dog accessories, you must consider buying the best clippers for cutting accessories online, keeping in mind the health of your pet.

If you feel uncomfortable clipping or cutting your dog’s nails, then it is better to consult experts who can get it done for you. Make sure you take care of the nail trims, paw care, nail buffing, etc. to keep your dog’s nails safe and hygienic. Your routine paw pedicure can help your pet to feel being considered and cared for.

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