Clipping your dog’s nails is an essential part of the grooming process and it is something that you will need to learn to do as a dog owner, both for their comfort and wellbeing and the sake of your floors!  Here is our guide on how to cut your dog’s nails.

Make Cutting the Nails Pleasant for Your Dog

To get your dog accustomed to having their nails cut, it is best to start the process from as soon as you bring them home as a puppy.  Start by getting your dog used to you touching their feet.  Gently hold and stroke their paws as they are lying down.  As they get more used to this, progress to putting light pressure on their paws, and to gently holding their nails.  Reward them with a treat or praise when they allow you to do this.  Don’t punish them if they pull away.  Simply put their paws down and try again a little later.

The Nail Cutting Process

Of course, you’ll also need to know how to cut your dog’s nails safely and effectively.  There are a variety of clippers that you can use – guillotine style clippers, a nail file, a claw cutter, or even human nail clippers (if your dog has small nails).  Choose the clippers that are the best for your breed of dog and that you find easy to operate.  Using the clippers, hold the dog’s paw in your hand and clip a small bit of nail at a time.  It is important to do it in small stages to reduce the risk of cutting into your dog’s quick (the inner part of the nail containing blood vessels and nerve endings) as cutting the quick is quite painful to the dog.  Always look at the end of the nail after each clip.  If you see a dark spot, you are nearing the quick and you should stop.

Some dogs will allow you to clip their nails all at once, especially if they are used to having their nails cut from a young age, while others will be more reluctant.  If you have a reluctant dog, only do a few nails at a time while the dog is relaxed and calm.  It is best to come back to do the rest rather than upset your dog and risk cutting into the quick, making it an even more traumatic experience for them.  Also, don’t forget to cut your dog’s dew claws when you are trimming the nails.  They particularly should not be overlooked as they cannot be naturally worn away by walking on concrete or other rough surfaces.  Dew claws that grow long can curl over, causing your dog to snag it on bedding, plants and other things.

Professionals Can Be of Help

Of course, if you are not confident in clipping your dog’s nails yourself, or your dog makes it difficult to safely cut their nails, there are other options available to you.  You can take your dog to a professional groomer who will be able to do it for you along with other services such as shampooing and clipping your dog.  Alternatively, you can take your dog to the vet, who will also be able to do it with minimal trauma to your dog.