Many dog owners are unsure when they should do some dog nail trimming of their pet’s claws. It is important to take your time and think about whether or not your pet needs them trimmed. Trimming a dog’s nails is a vital step in keeping a dog healthy and comfortable. However, the benefits come at a price.
There is dog claw care to do by clipping the dog’s nails around lots of hair in the claws. The nails may be long enough that they are starting to curl under. It’s time for some nail clipping!
If nails are white, clear, or pale pink the dog’s claws may be too long. You can see if they curl under your pet’s paws when it walks and hear them knocking on the floor or scratching as they climb all over you. The good news is that you do not need to take them all off at once!
A little bit of nail clipping every few weeks should work well for most people and their pets. If this does not satisfy your needs then keep on clipping or grinding your dog’s nails away!
How Hard Is It To Do Dog Nail Trimming For The First Time
Dog nail trimming is an art form that not many people are very good at. This is why it’s hard for them to enjoy a stress-free dog nail trimming session. The claws can be sharp and if you cut too short or into the quick, it will hurt your dog! If your pet is nervous about nail clippers, you will need some practice sessions to learn how to avoid cutting any off. This can be scary and stressful.
Dog’s nails are sensitive because they are made of keratin. It is the same thing as our fingernails and toenails! Clipping dog claws can feel like cutting into your own human nails since they are both so smooth, brittle, delicate. If you have never done this before, it may be a good idea to get help from an expert or ask someone who has experience in clipping their dog’s nail to show you in real time how to study your own dog’s paws.
Nail trimming itself is not a hard thing to learn. What can be difficult is to keep your dog still when you are doing it. You must find the right time that is good for both of you and your pet’s nail trimming schedule. If this is not working for you because your dog snips at you while you learn, then try using a muzzle on in order to have more control over their nails without your dog biting you.
It is important to remember that no matter how much experience or practice one has with cutting dog claws, accidents do happen! Oftentimes these occur due to getting nervous while trimming the paws too close or quickly without thinking about what you’re really doing.
This is why most accidents clipping dog nails happen (such as nicking quick blood vessels). Even experienced professionals get hurt by mistake from time-to-time and veterinarians who well know about animal care. So, don’t be too hard on yourself while you learn.
When to Trim The Dog’s Nails
Many people wonder about the ideal time to trim their dog’s nails. They also want to know if they should clip them themselves or take the dog somewhere else for a professional to do that job. For some people trimming dog’s claw becomes too hard along with all the hair around those paws! The answer is yes; they will always need some kind of nail clipping at some point and sometimes a groomer or even a vet might be your best option.
It is not always easy to tell when dog’s claws are too long or if they only need a little bit of nail trimming or grinding. The growth process can take a long time. Also, cutting the dog nails can take you some practice to get the right amount of timing right! When facing a broken dog nail that needs trimming, for example, it is important to know that it may be better for you to have a vet try to cut that nail with special tools than you at home, if the break is not far from the dog’s quick or runs at too steep an angle against the claw.
However, once you get used to the idea of having to do most of the dog nail trimming, then it’s time to get the dog on board with you. Get the dog used to getting it’s nails clipped by using positive reinforcement, like treats or toys. Try completing one dog nail trimming and then rewarding good behavior with a treat. After another, give a praise or another treat until you’ve completed all four paws. It may take a few times before your dog starts to relax during this process but eventually they become comfortable if the process is rewarding, despite any broken nail!
How to Make The Dog Nail Trims Easier On Yourself
Even though dogs often need help from owners to calm them down when it comes time for trimming their claws there are also things that owners can do to make matters easier for the one doing the trimming.
The first thing you need to do is get your dog used to the process of nail clipping. You can try different activities with your dog while trimming its nails including switching for a moment to brushing its coat or feeding it or playing a little games before getting back to business. Avoid force in any way when getting your dog accustomed to getting its nails trimmed, because causing stress and anxiety will only increase unexplainable fear against nail clippers and the dog will shun their use.
Start nipping little by little from the tip of the nail toward the back one slice at time, if you’ve never realized where the beginning of the dog’s quick lies. This way you can stop at any time that you spot it or the dog instinctively indicates to you that you’re getting too close for comfort to it.
Human nail clippers can be scary to children unaccustomed to them because after a clip their finger feels “naked” and this is an alien and often uncomfortable even if not painful sensation. Dog can be like little children and likewise cannot be reasoned with. When your dog has long nails that require definite trimming, you will have to be persistent without causing harm.
And just as with children, never leave a dog unsupervised with nail clippers or other similar items such as scissors because if they get their teeth on them not only can injuries occur but also these objects may be swallowed which could lead to serious problems even death. Make it easy on yourself. Avoid injuries. Be patient.
Restraining a Dog to Trim Its Nails
When it comes to nail care for dogs, many owners are daunted by the whole process. After all, your dog is not going to sit there patiently as you trim its nails, and they have a tendency of wiggling around quite a bit! However, if you want those claws from being ripped out when your pup runs across the sand or gravel then regular clipping is necessary, and so is restraining the dog, maybe using a doggie hammock or grooming harness.
To ensure that this dog nail trimming procedure goes smoothly here are some guidelines on how to restrain a dog while clipping their nails:
- Make sure to take the dog’s temperament into consideration. Some dogs are more mellow than others and it is best to start with those types first; otherwise, you can end up having a nightmare scenario on your hands!
- While some pups may be fine by themselves, many will do better if they have someone else there holding them down while clipping their nails. If this does not work for you then consider other forms of restraint such as wrapping them in a towel or leash around your waist so that at least they cannot move forward until finished.
- The most important thing when restraining an unruly pooch during nail clippings is keeping yourself safe at all times. This means making sure that no one gets accidentally hurt from the dog’s wiggling and sudden lunging forward.
- If you can’t find a friend to help out then consider buying yourself a larger sized dog nails clippers that not only come with safety covers, but also have an easy grip handle for added security, as you’ll have to make swift and decisive cuts.
- When it comes to clipping your pup’s nails try doing them outdoors as external noises will distract your dog instead to let you do the job, unless you have a dog that just can’t wait to escape upon seeing a squirrel!
Pet nails are just as important to maintain as their human counterparts. Not only will you avoid those awful scratches from your pooch but also being able to keep them healthy and strong for a long time! Taking these precautions will ensure that both of you have a good experience the next time around, so do not be afraid or intimidated by your dog’s nails any longer. So, retrain your dog. It’s for the good of you both.
Types of Dog Nail Clippers to Deal With Different Dog Nails
Dark nails are common in some dog breeds. They include beagles, toy poodles and dachshunds, and they can be hard to cut because you won’t be able to see the quick. If the nails are pink, this means they will have clear or white nail tips with dark free edges at the top and bottom. So, this makes it easier to find the quick on schnauzers, shih tzus and cocker spaniels. They’re easier dog nails to trim.
But when you have to trim black nails and you’re a bit nervous about cutting a blood vessel by accident, the best policy is not to use a guillotine style clippers but a nail grinder instead. Nail grinders are perfect for smaller dogs too. The difference between a nail grinder and dog nail cutter is that the grinder does not have a sharp blade. It’s simply an emery board for your dog so there are no worries about hurting their nails or injuring yourself.
Nail clippers are perfect when you want to get rid of any length nail – whether they’re short, long, or somewhere in between! But what makes one type of clipper better than another? The answers lie within each design and how it can be used best with different types of nails on different dogs.
For example, small dog owners should always stay away from guillotine style nail trimmers because if the blades aren’t well maintained then this could translate into pain for a very small paw they’ll be pinching hard on. And you don’t want to cause your dog to start licking its paws ceaselessly, right?
Dog grooming professionals know the difference between dogs nails and achieving the right nail trim. They know how to avoid the dog’s fur or long hair to cut dog nails correctly. So, they use multiple tools for this. They may handle front paws differently than hind legs. But what they would all agree upon regarding nail clippers would be on the need for sharp blades, a firm grip on the clippers and a sound amount of patience. They would also agree that there are several types of nail trimmers to use depending upon dog nails length – guillotine style or scissor-action. So, get both to be appropriately ready.
Different nail shapes require different clipping, as some could be round or pointed. Sometimes breeds have white tips, which like dark nails can make them even harder to trim if you’re not an expert at it! It’s crucial how you hold your pet while clipping their nails, so this won’t result in injuries, as we’ve already discussed. For example, scissor type nippers are perfect for small breed dogs as well as cats claws but interestingly enough these will require more muscle power than when used on larger dogs.
So, learn dog nail care and use the right tools for each type of nails on your pet.
What About Dewclawing?
One important detail is to realize that when you have to cut your dog’s nails, it is important not to forget the dewclaws. These are a pair of extra canine nail that usually sit high on the inside of each leg which do not touch the ground and serve no purpose other than looking cute! Dewclaw removal may be necessary for some breeds, because these claws can easily get caught in furniture or broken by accident. If left attached keep the dog as far as possible from where declaws could cause damage during running or jumping.
They become like hooks if they grow too long, and some vets recommend they be surgically removed although this is not necessary. In general, always remember clipping dog claws should never hurt them. If blood appears when cutting them off because your dog moved unexpectedly, stop right away and take him to the vet immediately, however. They are more delicate than the paw nails and if they’re not bothering you, it’s best to leave them alone.
Tips for Choosing Nail Clippers for Dogs
Once your dog gets familiarized with the sound of a clipper, you will be free to trim away at leisure. There are many types of dog nail trimmers available but choose one which is sharp enough not to crush the quick yet strong enough not to bend under pressure.
Clipping dog nails shouldn’t be a difficult task if you’re using the right size nail clippers for your pet. Obviously, never try to cut claws with human equipment. Dog nail clippers come in a variety of shapes so make sure to find one that works best with your kind of grip and that your dog won’t be frightened by.
What kind of dog nail cutting tools are there?
There are basically two different types of dog nail clippers: guillotine and scissor.
Scissor type nippers have an upper blade that slides over the lower part to cut through the nail with one single squeeze. They’re usually preferred by experts because they can be angled in three directions for easier use on all nails if you have several pets, as well as being more sturdy than other designs which could pose a threat of cutting your pet’s skin during harsh movements or nervousness.
Guillotine style trimmers are also known as ‘Toenail Clippers.’ The design may vary but they look like a small pair of scissors where there’s only one metal blade inside once closed together. A screw holds this sharp edge against a flat back plate, and this is where your dog’s nail fits in. When the handles of the clipper are pressed together, so does that sharp blade against a groove or hole on a fixed base thus cutting off a small tip of nail at once.
Guillotine style nippers may be harder to use for beginners but they’re also safer than regular scissors because there’s no way you can cut into live tissue by mistake with them since only the very top part of the claw is exposed while being held between those blades – all other parts stay out of reach until it comes time for release.
Who uses guillotine type trimmers? Well-experienced groomers will usually opt for these types as well as owners who have been doing type of work for a while. They’re also much preferred by vets who frequently perform dog nail trimming without causing pain or injury to their patient, as well as those who have large breed dogs that require more strength and precision in order to avoid cutting into quick.
On the other hand, if you don’t feel very confident about clipping your dog’s claws just yet it’s best not to risk injuring them because they are too long – especially near the quicks! You can seek assistance from an experienced groomer at first to give you tips on how exactly you should go about trimming each nail correctly depending on its size and shape before taking over yourself.
What about dog nail grinder? If you’re unsure of how to use dog nail clippers or if your pet feels afraid at the sight, sound, and smell of these tools then there’s also another way to go about nail trims.
Electric dog nail grinders are pretty much like human foot file sanders (manicure sets), only more powerful with rotary rather than circular motion. This makes it easier for them to shape their nails without cutting into live flesh while avoiding pain as well because they do not require force – simply hold against a flat surface until all sharp edges have been filed down evenly. The Dremel Paw Control Dog Nail Grinder and Trimmer is a good option (check it out at Amazon).
Grinders work by friction and may be safer than to cut long nails. Still, they can still cause some bleeding and heat. So, make sure that your pet is relaxed enough before attempting this option since their paws will probably feel tender after being exposed to such grating.
In addition, you can also use a dog nail file to smooth out the rough edges once they’re shorter and more manageable if you started the grooming process using clippers, which will help prevent sharpness growing back too quickly as well as avoid snagging your dog’s nails on carpeting or furniture.
When it comes time for cutting claws, always choose high-quality tools that are meant specifically for dog nail trimming instead of human equipment because this could lead to injury if not done properly. Restrain your dog and practice patiently with different clippers styles. Be sure that each dog’s nail isn’t too long to cut in one fell swoop but rather cut little by little from the tip toward the back, one slice at a time.
Avoid singular deep cuts because this could cause bruising, bleeding, or pain in the paw, especially the toes quicks! Lastly, make sure your pup is relaxed enough before starting any process to build up fear and a negative habit of avoiding getting its claws cared for.