Keeping your dog’s toe nails clipped is an important part of proper dog care. Toe nails that are allowed to grow too long and clack against the floor as he walks force his foot pads upward and can cause pain. Overgrown toenails may snag on carpeting or upholstered furniture, break off, and bleed.http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/your-dogs-nails.html

Cutting your dog’s toe nails doesn’t take much time when your dog calmly accepts the procedure. Getting your dog used to having his nails trimmed is easiest when you make it a regular part of his grooming as a puppy. Older dogs can learn to sit still and let you clip their long toe nails when you are gentle, patient, and choose the right time for the chore.

To cut your dog’s toe nails you will need a good pair of toe nail clippers designed especially for pets. Using human clippers or scissors will split the nails and leave ragged edges that can get caught. Buy the best dog toe nail clippers you can afford; they’ll make the job easier and neater, and will stay sharp much longer. You may also need a nail file; consider buying a nail file designed for pets which has a crease down the center and makes it easier to file off any rough or sharp edges left behind after using the clippers.

Choose a time when your dog is calm and relaxed to clip his nails. When he’s in a energetic or playful mood he isn’t going to be too cooperative! It’s best not to physically restrain your dog any more than necessary while clipping his nails. Instead, train him to accept the procedure by using praise and treat rewards. Please use this guide to learn how to clip your dog’s toe nails.

A dog’s toe nails have a “quick” in the center that contains nerves and blood vessels. Through a clear toe nail, the quick is pinkish in color, but it can be difficult or impossible to see the quick when a dog has dark-colored toe nails. Black or brown toe nails are common in dogs, or they may have both clear and dark nails. Cutting into the quick is painful, so if your dog has dark toe nails you should not try to clip off a large chunk in one piece.

When an adult dog’s nails are seldom trimmed and allowed to grow long, the quick will also grow longer. With black nails, you must be careful to trim only very small bits at once to avoid cutting into the quick. As you keep your dog’s nails trimmed, the quick will begin to shorten again and you’ll be less likely to cut into it.http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-trim-your-dog-s-toenails/page1.aspx

Accidents do happen, though, even when you’re very careful. Keep a styptic pencil handy to stop bleeding, or use a bit of flour or cornstarch to help the blood clot. You can also find silver nitrate products to help stop bleeding at pet supply stores or veterinarians’ offices. Apply moderate pressure for several minutes to stop the bleeding if the styptic pencil or other products don’t work. Whichever you choose, have it handy before you start trimming your dog’s toe nails. Call your veterinarian if the bleeding hasn’t stopped within 15 minutes.http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-trim-your-dog-s-toenails/page1.aspx

Make nail care a part of your dog’s regular grooming. Depending on the breed of your dog, his grooming requirements may be very small or may be quite frequent, but going over your dog’s coat with a brush once a day and checking the condition of his toe nails is a good idea.

Of course, you won’t need to clip your dog’s toe nails every day, but you should check for rough or split nails and check the length; the curved end of the nail should be even with the toe pad. Trim or file your dog’s toe nails as necessary.

Working dogs and hunting dogs usually wear their nails down through their outdoor activity, but often have dew claws that need trimmed. When dew claws grow too long they may become ingrown and infected.http://petcaretips.net/trim-dogs-toenails.html The dew claw is a toe that is slightly above the dog’s foot and doesn’t touch the ground when he walks. The dew claw has no real purpose and some dog owners will have them surgically removed by a veterinarian to avoid injury.

The best time to clip your dog’s toe nails is when you are both relaxed and calm. Put your dog in your lap if he is small, or have him sit on the floor or a table if he’s a larger breed. You may need to get a helper to hold the dog still until he’s used to having his nails cut, but don’t let it turn into a wrestling match. You might slip and injure your dog.

Holding your dog’s paw gently in your hand, hold the clippers so they will make a 45 degree cut at the end of the toe nail where the tip curves downward. Trim a small amount at a time off the tip if you can’t see the quick or if the nails are very long. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-trim-your-dog-s-toenails/page1.aspx

After each small clip, look at the cut end of the toe nail head on. When you see a black dot in the center, you’re getting close to the quick and it’s time to stop. The black spot may not be visible if your dog has dark nails so you must proceed with caution. Use the nail file after each final clip to smooth off any rough or sharp edges that may get caught in upholstery or scratch humans when they’re interacting with your dog.

If he’ll only hold still long enough to do a few nails at a time, that’s okay. Short sessions of clipping two or three nails over the course of a few days, rather than forcing him to submit to having all of his nails trimmed at one sitting, will be much less stressful for both you and your dog. Over time, as he gets used to having his toe nails clipped, he’ll be more willing to sit still while you do all of his paws in one session.

If you aren’t comfortable trimming your dog’s nails yourself, or your dog flatly refuses to cooperate, consider taking him to a dog groomer or your veterinarian to get the job done. The small expense will safeguard your dog’s foot health.