Safely Trimming Your Dog’s Nails At Home

As pet parents you always want the best for your furry one and make every effort to ensure that they are well-fed, properly rested, and immaculately groomed. While you succeed at feeding and resting, grooming is a task that is sometimes harder.  How to cut your dog’s nails at home is a biggie, but trimmed nails are an essential part of hygiene and grooming. For many, this is an uncomfortable task and best left to groomers - however, with the right tools and following the procedure, clipping your dog’s nails at home is fairly simple.  Let’s take you through the task of cutting your dog’s nails, to reduce some of the anxiety and discomfort. 

Why You Need To Cut Your Dog’s Nails

Cutting and maintaining a dog’s nails is not a cosmetic procedure - long nails are unhealthy, causing pain to your furry friend and in some cases triggering damage that cannot be reversed.  To make it easier for both you and your pup, begin the nail trimming from when your pet is a puppy. They will become accustomed to the process, as you place them on your lap or a table. Younger dogs/pups might be squirmier than others - wriggling about as you endeavour to cut your puppy’s nails. You might need to make them feel at ease, calm them, and only then begin the process.  

It is important to understand the parts of your dog’s nails before you begin trimming them. The outer hard part is known as the shell, and the inner part is the ‘quick’ is the feeling, living portion. This quick contains the nerves and it supplies blood to the dog’s nails.  Even a slight cut to the ‘quick’ will cause extreme discomfort to your furry companion. Regular trimming of the shell ensures that the ‘quick’ recedes leaving the front of the nail - making trimming easier. Short quicks are better from the perspective of nail cutting and maintaining them. 

Long uncut nails can be uncomfortable for your furry friend. When a dog's nails grow too long, they hit the floor, putting extra pressure on their feet and legs. Over time, this can cause their toes to spread out, reducing their grip and making it easier for them to slip and get hurt. Repeated injuries can even harm their tendons, leading to serious issues with their feet - and no pet parent wants to see their furry companion in pain. 

Regular nail trims keep your pet comfortable and healthy - some can naturally wear down their nails and do not need trims. Remember to trim the dew claw as well - that little nail higher up on the front legs, away from the paws. Since it doesn’t touch the ground, it does not wear down, so regular trimming is needed. 

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Preventing Anxiety During Dog’s Nail Cutting At Home

Use your pup’s favourite toy or spread peanut butter on a silicone mat for them to lick - this will keep your pup distracted and alleviate their anxiety while you cut the nails. It is imperative to learn the proper technique for cutting your dog’s nails at home - remember not to cut the nails too short or cut ‘the quick’. This will not only increase anxiety in your pup but will also cause a lot of pain and bleeding. In addition to the right technique, you also need the right tools to clip your dog’s nails at home. A dog can either have dark-coloured or light-coloured nails - it is easier to see the quick in light-coloured claws.  With dark-coloured claws, you would need to be extra cautious - use small and several cuts to ensure you do not cut into the quick. A range of dog nail trimmers are available on the market to make this process easier. These include the scissors and guillotine types - with the guillotine type most commonly used. It is easiest to cut your dog’s nails at home with a nail trimmer. The scissor-type is best to trim the dew claws. 

‘Nailing’ The Trim

As mentioned, there are two parts to the nail - the shell and the quick. Clip off a small part of the shell, and as you cut deeper you will notice a pink/grey oval shape on the surface of the nail. This is when you should stop cutting. Beyond this point is the quick and cutting into it will cause bleeding and a lot of pain for your beloved pet. Ask your vet, and keep Styptic powder handy in case you accidentally cut your dog’s nails too short. This powder arrests bleeding immediately. 

The dew claw is attached by loose skin and is easily bent away, making it easier to cut with the scissor-type trimmer. 

Steps To Cut Your Dog’s Nails Right Even At Home

1. Paws are a sensitive area for dogs, which is why nail clipping at home must begin when they are pups. Start by frequently caressing and holding their paws - while ensuring a calm and happy environment. This will make them comfortable with the handling of their feet.  Keep their favourite toy handy. 
2. Allow your pup to sniff the nail clipping tool. Praise them with a pat and even a piece of dog treat.
3. Show them as you take the clipper to their foot, and lightly tap their paw with it. This would seem like playtime - making them excited to continue. Another piece of treat would be the reinforcement of positive behaviour.
4. Start with one nail, clipping off a tiny piece only. Reward your pup with a treat if they have remained calm and allowed you to cut the nail without a fuss. If your pup allows, you can go on to the next nail. 
5. Once all the nails are done - even if they are done over a few days - you would have achieved something
6. After a few days, pretend to repeat this process - this will make it a habit and your dog will settle down and not mind it at all
7. Form a positive connection between nail cutting and things your pup loves. Treats, a good brushing, a walk, or their special game. Your pup will look forward to nail cutting in anticipation of the next activity
8. Ensure to angle the nail trimmer at 45 degrees, cutting slowly and in small pieces, remaining careful not to cut into the quick
9. Reward your pup for good behaviour with a paw massage and some soothing balm/lotion.

Congratulations, you have mastered the art of cutting your puppy’s nails at home!

Managing A Energetic Dog During Nail Cutting At Home 

Just like humans, each dog has its unique personality! Some have a lot more energy, are sprightly, and are not that easily ‘convinced’. If your furry companion has this nature, nail cutting at home could be a tough task. However, with the right tools and techniques, you will be able to get your feisty dog to cooperate. 

• Use only good quality and sharp clippers. Dull blades will cause pinching and will split the nail before cutting. You would struggle with the cutting process, making your dog even more anxious. 
• If your dog seems very anxious with the clippers, you could use a nail file/grinder instead. This process will take more time, but will not stress your dog. Allow your dog to get accustomed to the sound before you use it. 
• An anxious/spirited dog would require more effort to calm them down - remember to make the positive association with treats, a walk, or a healthy round of the favourite game.
• No pet parent likes to muzzle their beloved furry companion. However, if nail trimming, an essential part of the health regime, makes your dog anxious, it is acceptable to use the muzzle for that brief period of nail cutting. An anxious dog is more likely to bite or pull their foot away - this would hurt both you and the dog. Research shows that dogs feel remorse when they misbehave, so it is best to avoid situations where they feel badly. A muzzle keeps both of you safe, makes the experience less stressful, and ensures that the essential activity of your dog’s nail-trimming is peaceful. 

‘Grind’ On

A grinder is another tool to help even out any sharp or uneven edges after the dog’s nails have been cut. Even during this process, ensure that your dog looks comfortable and is not exhibiting any signs of anxiety. Use the grinder carefully, grinding only small parts of the nail at one time - hold your dog’s toe just firmly enough so they are not hurt. Start from the bottom of the nail, and move up. Use small motions, but without jerking your hand. Ensure that you move your dog’s fur back before starting the process - this is especially true for dogs with long hair. 

In Conclusion

Grooming your dog is an indispensable part of the health routine, and it should be a time of bonding and fun. Nail trimming at home can also be fun and stress-free if you use the right tools, techniques, and props. If you feel anxious, it is best to ask a professional to help you and maybe teach you how to cut your dog’s nails at home.  Here’s to reducing any ‘nail-biting’ moments during this process at home!