How To Look After Your Dog’s Nails

If there’s one thing that makes many dogs uncomfortable, it’s having their nails done.  That’s usually because somewhere along the way they’ve had a bad experience.  It only takes one or two slips with the nail clippers to make a dog shy about having his nails done forever. 

When puppies are born they are perfectly fine with having their toes and nails handled.  In fact, good breeders will play with a puppy’s toes and paw pads to help get him used to having them handled.  A breeder should be clipping a puppy’s sharp little nails from just a few days after birth so the puppy won’t scratch his mother and littermates.  Most breeders use a simple human finger nail clipper for this little job since the nails are small and easy to cut. 

By the time the puppy is eight weeks old, or ready to go to his new home, he may need to have his nails cut with a normal dog nail clipper, depending on the breed.  As you would expect, the bigger the breed, the bigger and thicker the nails even at this young age. If the puppy is already used to having his nails trimmed then there will be no problem with switching to a dog nail trimmer. 

As a puppy grows and his nails become harder the most important thing to remember when using a dog nail trimmer is to look for the quick of the nail when trimming.  With white or clear nails it’s easy to see the quick.  It’s the interior white portion of the nail that is shorter than the nail itself.  You can trim the nail back to near the quick, but never touching it.  The quick contains the nerve endings in the nail, as well as the blood vessels.  If you cut or nick it then your dog is going to be hurt and it will bleed. 

With dark or black nails you may not be able to see the quick.  In this case you should err on the side of caution and leave the nail just a little longer than normal.  If your dog has both clear/white and dark nails, try to cut the dark nails about the same length as the clear/white ones. 

It’s always better to trim just a little at any one time rather than trying to cut off a lot of nail at once.  You are less likely to cut the quick when you trim tiny portions of the nail and regular trimming is better for your dog than a trimming once in a blue moon.  Ideally you will trim your dog’s nails once a week.  This will provide him with the best possible paw care. 

If you allow your dog’s nails to grow too long and touch the floor for long periods of time it can alter the growth of his paw and change its shape.  Nails that are allowed to grow too long can even circle around and grow into the skin. 

If you hear the clacking of your dog’s nails on the floor it’s time to get out the nail clippers! 

There are two basic types of dog nail trimmers:  the scissors type and the guillotine type.  The scissors type is fine for small dogs with nails that are easily cut.  The guillotine type is often preferred for dogs with thicker nails.  There is one other style that can be used for dogs with thicker nails.  It’s a version of the scissors type that is designed more like pliers with sharp blades.  These work fine for many breeds. 

You can also choose to use a nail grinder.  These are very popular for pets thanks to some models that have been advertised on television but they have been used by pet groomers and dog show people for years.  Nail grinders are very efficient and work well.  They have a small sanding drum on a drill tool and sand the nails down.  You must use care that you don’t sand the nails down too far, but otherwise these are very good products.  Most dogs can learn to like them very well.  They rarely cause dogs to become foot shy. 

No matter which method you use to care for your dog’s nails you should handle each paw carefully.  Proceed slowly and reward your dog for being a good dog when you work on his nails.  Even for dogs that have never had a bad experience, having their nails done can be tedious.  Make it more fun for them with lots of praise and treats.  If you do have a set-back and nick the quick, stop the bleeding with styptic powder and reassure your dog quickly. 

Good nail care is important for your dog’s well-being.  Follow these tips and he should be prancing for years.