Trim dogs nails

Knowing not only how, but also when to cut a dog's nails is so important. Your dog's nails grow constantly and how often they need to be clipped will depend on your dog's lifestyle. If you dog does a lot of his walking on hard surfaces, he may very well need little or no extra help in keeping his nails short as his nails will be naturally worn away through friction. Your dog's nails should just touch the ground when she walks. If her nails are clicking on the floor or getting snagged in the carpet, it's time for a pedicure.

Most dogs do not like to have their feet played with, so if you are acquiring a new puppy, it is best to play with their paws. Touching them, applying pressure, and pinching their nails so they grow accustomed to the feel of this activity. You can do this while playing with them, as they are sleeping, or just laying around playing with a toy.

Before you begin make sure you have all of your supplies ready and handy. You will want to have sharp clippers, nail file, styptic powder or a substitute such as baby powder or cotton. and paper towel.

• Start at the tip of the nail and snip a little at a time. Look at the cut edge of the nail. When you start to see pale pink tissue near the top of the cut edge, stop. You can use a nail file to smooth the edges further.
  

• Avoid cutting into the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. It is painful and will bleed easily. On white nails, the quick is the pink section. Be extra careful when cutting dark nails, because the quick is difficult to see. If the tip of the nail begins to bleed, apply pressure using styptic powder or a substitute such as baby powder or cotton.
  


• Avoid wiping the blood clot off the tip of the nail once the bleeding has stopped.
  Remember to trim the dewclaw nail, on the inside of the leg. Since it doesn't touch the ground, it wears down less rapidly than the others.
  

Tips & Warnings

• If you have not cut your dog's nails since she was a puppy or you're uncomfortable with the task, ask your veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate proper nail trimming or to do it for you.


• Never attempt to trim your dog's nails with clippers designed for use on humans
  
• Give your dog a treat after trimming her nails.
  

Once you have established a trimming routine you should plan on trimming nails once or twice a month. The quick will lengthen if you don't trim the nail regularly, and long nails can cause traction problems or become ingrown.