How to Trim a Dog's Nails: A Complete Guide

From time to time, humans feel the need to trim overly long nails. It's not only aesthetically pleasing, but also provides greater comfort. This practice isn't just for humans, but also applies to pets like dogs and cats. For dogs, trimming their nails is also very important for their hygiene, but especially for their health.

To take care of your dog, you must learn how to trim your dog's nails regularly. To do this, you'll need dog nail clippers and also know how to do it so as not to hurt your dog. Do you have a dog as a pet and don't know how to trim its nails? Read this complete guide to learn more about the subject. 

Why should you cut your dog's claws?

For the sake of your pet, you must trim their nails frequently. Trimming your dog's nails is far more beneficial than you might think and can even save your pet's life. Not doing so can expose your dog to various risks, and it could even seriously scratch you if it has a habit of climbing on you. Trimming your dog's nails helps prevent scratching, even if it's a young dog. 

A dog's very long nail decreases its quality of life and comfort level.

Un very long nail The dog's condition can be the cause of pain and certain problems that can be more or less serious. He will no longer feel in good shape and his quality of life may gradually diminish. You may also notice the development of problems with his spine or posture. This may disrupt his way of walking and cause constant discomfort. 

Your dog's movement may be limited and their comfort significantly reduced. Very long nails are not retractable like a cat's claws, so it is important to trim them with a dog nail clippers for example. 

To avoid the risk of dog claw diseases

If you want to reduce the risk of dog claw diseases, you have to take care of your nails. There are pathologies such as canine leishmaniasis likely to cause excessive growth of dog nails. Avoiding these conditions is very important and increases the need for your dog's nails to be trimmed. Therefore, everyone should trim their dog's nails periodically.

To prevent an ingrown claw in your dog

A dog's nail that's too long can quickly lead to an ingrown nail, which can disrupt your pet's well-being. It's a nail that twists inward and ends up penetrating the animal's paw pad. This can cause severe pain for the dog. 

When and how often should you trim your dog's claws?

It's important to know exactly when your dog's nails are too long to trim. Contrary to what many people might think, determining this point isn't complicated. One simple method is to observe your dog's front paws. If you notice their nails touching the ground, then you need to take action. This means the nails are already too long and need trimming. A nail that is trimmed regularly will no longer be a problem. 

Nails should normally not touch the ground. Likewise, when a clicking noise begins to be heard or you notice long nails turned to the side, trimming is necessary. You should be able to do this little check quite often to protect your companion. If you entrust the trimming to a groomer, they will be able to advise you on how often to trim and the length of nails to consider. 

How to cut a dog's nails?

Now you know why it is important and how often your dog's claws should be trimmed. Now you need to know how to cut a dog's nails correctly. Although the process is quite simple, you must understand and follow each step carefully to avoid injuring your pet. Therefore, simply using a dog nail clipper or dog nail clipper is not enough. Short nails do not always need to be trimmed. 

What is the ideal length for dog nails?

Before you start cutting the dog's nail with a nail clippers, you need to know the ideal nail size. This is what allows you to be sure that you are taking care of your dog's nails properly. If you have understood how often cut your dog's claws, knowing the right nail size is pretty simple. Basically, you need to trim long nails so they don't touch the ground. 

If the clipped nails still touch the ground or you hear noises while the animal is walking, it is not yet the right size. Dogs' nails have two colors and you need to be able to identify them to cut them to the right level. You can therefore refer to this in addition to the dog's nail size. You can also find more information by following the advice from a veterinarian.

 To avoid cutting more than necessary, you can simply do it in several steps, little by little. Cutting a few millimeters above the live part of the nail is ideal. This way, you can cut the perfect size without hurting or damaging it. the dog's claw during the treatment. 

Using a dog nail clipper and choosing the right accessories

Dog nail clippers are one of the most important tools you'll need to prepare for your dog's nail care. They allow you to get a clean cut of your dog's tough nails if handled properly, without causing too much discomfort. There are also guillotine nail clippers for puppies. They come with other accessories like scissors, which are just as important for the care you need. 

These must be well selected for everything to go smoothly. Indeed, the long claws of dogs are very rigid and thick, so you need to have the right equipment to successfully cut them. Sometimes it will be necessary to keep the nail soaked to soften the thick tips so that they can be cut easily. The correct method is to soak the claws and nails and not wait for them to dry before cutting. It is especially important not to use a human nail clipper or simple nail scissors, as they are not at all designed for animals.

On nail clippers are available in different sizes (large and small) and can be chosen depending on whether it is for a toddler or a large dog. They are available in pet stores and in our online store with our collection of dog nail clippers.

They will allow you to do claws and nails safely. The dog nail clippers allows you to cut a hard nail. This may be a nail that is normally difficult to cut with simple wire cutters. You can also use a pair of scissors or a electric nail file specially designed for dogs. 

Unlike dog nail clippers, this last tool allows you to file your dog's nails just like a cat tree would for a cat's claw. It's important to go slowly if you decide to use nail clippers to cut your dog's nails. Certain tools should be avoided when taking care of your dog's nails. A cutter, for example, is not a utensil to use in this case. You may also need to consider having a flashlight to properly cut dark nails or use a dog nail clipper with LED light also available on our online store.

A magnifying glass can also help you see a little more clearly so you don't hurt your dog with the wire cutters. To go further and relieve your companion, you can also buy a paw balm. If you have all the necessary accessories, all that's left is to safely trim your dog's nail while making them feel comfortable to begin with. 

How to cut your dog's nails properly?

This is the actual cutting step, and it must be clean and precise. You must be careful enough and go step by step, first defining the part to be cut. Dog nails have two colors that indicate two parts. The first is transparent, while the other is pink and contains blood. Therefore, you must cut the dog's nail precisely at the translucent part to avoid causing pain to the dog. 

For dogs with light or very light colored nails, it is quite easy to distinguish the different parts. However, for those with very dark nails, identification can be more difficult and there is a significant risk of cutting the dog's nail at the level of the blood vessels. In this case, you can use a flashlight to better identify the different parts.

 Be careful not to cut the dog's claw more than necessary; it should not be cut too short, as this could cut a vein. You must also understand that your dog must be prepared and trained to receive such care. Caring for their paws is a treatment that must be scheduled quite often. Teach them to be comfortable when you handle their paws. Lift and hold their paws for a few moments before putting them down, then repeat the operation.

 These are the steps of an important preparation process that allows the animal to be comfortable when you have to trim its claws. Once the area to be cut has been defined, your dog is comfortable, and you have all the materials at hand, you can move on to action. You must cut the dog's nail gradually and parallel to the base for greater efficiency. Proceed in this way for each nail until you finish with all the paws. 

After clipping your nails, you'll soon notice that they look rather uneven. You can then file them to make them look nicer and prevent them from getting caught on clothes, for example. A nail file can also help you round off the edges, so it's a good idea to buy a nail clipper and a dog nail file at the same time. For perfect results, opt for a dog nail clipper and file directly from our store. This will provide optimal results for your pet and prevent it from damaging your home, so you gain a lot by not neglecting filing. At the end, you can even apply balm to the nails just to soften them. Here's the essential information to know how to cut a man's nails dog.

Reassure your dog and reward him

While you're trimming your dog's nails, you need to get used to reassuring him. You need to put him in a good position so he doesn't resist too much while you trim the sharp tips of his claws. Don't rush, but take your time and pay attention to your little friend's reactions. Try to find a position that's comfortable enough for him and that also allows you to hold his paw properly to trim the tips. 

At the end, remember to reward your dog to motivate him for future visits. Petting and treats might do the trick. A piece of treat at each stage will make him happy during the break. Petting is a sign of affection that will make him even happier. He will therefore associate the normally unpleasant experience with a reward that changes everything. 

This will reduce his fear, and he'll be more likely to submit the next time you try to trim his overgrown nail. It's not recommended to force a dog if he's resisting what you want to do. The process could be even more complicated if his claw grows back. 

Have your dog's nails trimmed by a veterinarian

If you're not comfortable trimming your dog's nails yourself, there's another option. You can let a professional do it for your little dog's best benefit. 

At a veterinarian's office, your dog will receive the best care and leave with well-trimmed nails. Veterinarians have the know-how, equipment, and skills to do it properly. So, if you're not sure you can do it yourself, visit a veterinarian or a grooming salon. You can also leave with some tips that will be useful for a long time. 

FAQ: Everything you need to know about dog nail care

How much does it cost to have your dog's nails cut at the vet?

As you might expect, having your dog's nails trimmed by a veterinarian comes at a price. Hiring a specialist to trim your dog's nails will cost you between €15 and €40. With prices that aren't regulated, you'll notice they vary everywhere. 

Depending on the vet you visit, you may pay a low or high price. With several options available, all you have to do is choose the best place to get your dog's manicures and pedicures. 

What should I do if my dog ​​has a torn nail?

Worried about your dog's torn nail due to infection? It's an injury that shouldn't be neglected, even if dogs don't seem fragile. With the risk of dog nail infection, the best thing you can do for your dog's health is to treat the injury. 

If you're not really familiar with the subject, it's best to consult a veterinarian. They will know exactly what treatment is needed to quickly relieve your dog's pain. They can then take into account the severity of the wound left by the torn nail or broken claw. 

What should I do if my dog ​​has an ingrown claw?

If your dog has an ingrown toenail, you should trim it to allow him to be comfortable. An ingrown dog nail can be very painful and prevent him from walking properly. To do this, gently pull the dog's nail out and then trim it at the transparent part. 

If you are unable to do this, it is best to make an appointment with a veterinarian and let them handle it. They will be able to provide the necessary care for ingrown toenails. 

How to prevent potential nail bleeding after clipping?

If you make a mistake while clipping your dog's nails and your dog starts bleeding, don't worry. You can prevent further bleeding with a few simple steps. It's important to act quickly to prevent dirt from getting into the wound. You can use a compress or simply hydrogen peroxide to stop the bleeding. If it doesn't stop after 30 minutes, contact a veterinarian. 

I cut my dog's nail too short, what should I do?

 Even if you proceed carefully, you may still end up with a cut nail too short for your dog. If this happens and the dog's claw bleeds, you should not let the wound go untreated. You must take care of it even if you think it's not something serious. There is always a risk of infection, and you must disinfect the wound. 

Should a dog's dewclaw be clipped?

Many people tend to forget about the dog's dewclaw when trimming their dog's nails. You should know that trimming dewclaws is important to protect dogs from accidental injuries. In reality, the dog's dewclaw is not subject to any friction when the animal moves.

 It doesn't wear out over time and can bend and eventually become painful for the dog. The dog could end up injured by the dewclaw that hasn't been trimmed. At your next appointment, remember to do this and have your nail clippers ready. You can schedule an appointment with a veterinarian or groomer to have it done for you. 

Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.