Dog owners find cutting their nails a difficult and possibly traumatic experience for both. If they did something wrong, they might make their dog forever scared of the procedure. Normally, dogs would not need it if they get enough exercise the whole day, and running on different surfaces will keep the nails short. However, many dogs living in the city may not get enough, so long toes are normal.
What Are the Consequences of Long Toenails?
For your pet, having long toenails will lead to painful feet. When these nails touch a hard surface like the sidewalk, it will cause the nail to push back into the nail bed. It will then cause pressure on the joints of the toe or make it twist to the side. Eventually, the toes are sore or, worse, arthritic. You would notice this as your dog will be fussy whenever you touch its paw.
There are worse consequences of long nails. Animals like your pup will feel gravity through their feet. The nails on the feet also give them information about where they are.
For millions of years, dogs have moved enough to keep nails short, and the toenails will only touch the floor when climbing a hill. So whenever they feel the nails touching the ground, they will interpret that as being on a hill and will change their posture. This posture will pressure the muscles and joints, specifically the back legs. When you cut your dog’s nails, it will relieve pressure on a painful back leg.
What You Need to Cut Your Dog’s Nails
You will need a nail clipper when you want to cut your pet’s nails. There are quite a few types, depending on your dog’s size. A guillotine-style clipper is the simplest and perfect for small breeds. On the other hand, pliers-style is better for bigger pooches. Lastly, there are also scissors-type nail clippers.
Treats with you are best, so your dog will be quieter and not move. Give your pet one after every nail, so it also gets a positive connection to nail cutting.
If you cut the nail too short and see some bleeding, you should have some styptic powder or clotting powder. You may also use baking soda or cornstarch for the same purpose.
Using Dog Nail Clippers
If it is your first time, you should take the time to study how to use it before actually cutting your pet’s nails. You can ask a dog groomer to show you how to do it or watch him do it before trying it yourself.
Test the clippers first to see if the blades work well when you are ready. Try out how to grip the clippers and practice holding your dog’s paws and separating its toes.
A good trick is to get your pup used to see the nail clippers without actually cutting the nails. You can try putting the clippers close to the paws and nails. When it does not flinch, praise it and give it a treat. Do this about ten times. The next day, do the same but squeeze the clippers to make your pet used to the sound. Do not forget to praise your dog and give it a treat. This way, it will not be something new and scary when you finally cut the nails.
Related Post: Best Dog Treats
Clipping Your Dog’s Nails
In the beginning, it is normal that your dog will be nervous. If so, aim to cut a few and do the others another day.
Hold your pet’s paw firmly but also gently. Gently cut the nail at a 45-degree angle, removing little pieces at a time. Make sure you cut only until you see something white inside the nail and a small black dot in the middle. To avoid cutting too much, ensure you only trim a little at a time. If you accidentally cut too much, use the clotting powder to stop bleeding.
Depending on your dog’s breed, you should cut your pet’s nails between once a week to only once a month. Moreover, if your pet is quite active, you might notice that the toenails are not as long, and you may not even need to cut as often.
You can be an expert in cutting your dog’s toenails with some practice. By then, you know there is no need to stress about it.
You may also like our article on 5 Ways to Stop Your Dog’s Nail From Bleeding
Sources:
- Teresa Manucy, DVM, How to Cut Your Dog’s Nails Safely, PetMD
- Trimming Your Dog’s Nails, Vetstreet
- How to Groom a Dog, The American Kennel Club
