There are few things in the world of pet ownership that people avoid like the task of trimming nails. We get it--you don't like it, your pet doesn't like it, and if it goes wrong, things can get scary looking very quickly. Don't let fear and frustration get in your way! If you avoid trimming your pet's nails regularly, the problem will only get worse, and it can result in walking difficulty and nails getting snagged and torn off.
Underneath each nail, there is a fleshy portion full of sensitive blood vessels known as the "quick". When this is cut, it can be very painful for your dog, and it also has a tendency to bleed like crazy.
No matter how careful you are, this is always a possibility. Be sure to have styptic powder (also known as "Kwik Stop") on hand to stop the bleeding should this occur. Take a small amount of this dry, yellow powder and blot it directly on to the bleeding area of the nail. In a pinch, you can also use flour or corn starch and apply pressure to the area.
When their sharp little puppy nails begin to grow, you can start training them for trims (the earlier the better!). Most puppy nails can be trimmed easily with cat nail scissors, pictured right. DO NOT attempt to tackle all four paws on the first go. Instead, break out a delicious treat (peanut butter is one of our favorites), trim a single nail, and reward that puppy!!! Throw a party of excitement and praise. If your puppy did well with the first nail, trim another in a few minutes, repeating the treat and praise. If your puppy was a little stressed during the first one, that's OK--this is new, and you will teach them that it's safe. Continue to play with their feet and give occasional treats during this process. Try the trimmers again tomorrow.
Cats are a mixed bag when it comes to nail trims. Their claws are much easier to trim in general since they are translucent and small, but as most feline fanatics already know, they don't always tolerate things that are not their idea. It never hurts to have a helper offering a distraction (or gentle restraint of the head or other paws if needed). Since cats retract their nails, the easiest way to start is to use your thumb and pointer finger to apply a very gentle pressure at the top and bottom of the paw at the joint behind the claw. Once the nail is exposed and you can see the pink area of the quick, you can quickly and easily snip off the sharp tip with cat nail scissors. As with dogs, sedation might be recommended if your cat becomes particularly stressed out during this process.
Nail Anatomy
One of the most important factors in trimming a dog's nails properly is knowing exactly what and where you're trimming. Some dogs have translucent white nails that make this a little easier; for dark-nailed dogs, the key is going relatively slowly.
Underneath each nail, there is a fleshy portion full of sensitive blood vessels known as the "quick". When this is cut, it can be very painful for your dog, and it also has a tendency to bleed like crazy. 
No matter how careful you are, this is always a possibility. Be sure to have styptic powder (also known as "Kwik Stop") on hand to stop the bleeding should this occur. Take a small amount of this dry, yellow powder and blot it directly on to the bleeding area of the nail. In a pinch, you can also use flour or corn starch and apply pressure to the area.
Some dogs have longer quicks than others, especially if nail trims don't happen often. The best way to reduce the length of the quick (short of surgical intervention) is to trim the nails often over a long period of time (every 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly your dog's nails grow).
New Puppies
If you're starting from scratch with a new puppy, the world is your oyster. Don't waste this precious time to make sure that future nail trims will be a positive (or at least tolerable) experience. From the time that they first come home, make it a point to touch their feet and ears. Play with their feet constantly--make it a normal occurrence.
When their sharp little puppy nails begin to grow, you can start training them for trims (the earlier the better!). Most puppy nails can be trimmed easily with cat nail scissors, pictured right. DO NOT attempt to tackle all four paws on the first go. Instead, break out a delicious treat (peanut butter is one of our favorites), trim a single nail, and reward that puppy!!! Throw a party of excitement and praise. If your puppy did well with the first nail, trim another in a few minutes, repeating the treat and praise. If your puppy was a little stressed during the first one, that's OK--this is new, and you will teach them that it's safe. Continue to play with their feet and give occasional treats during this process. Try the trimmers again tomorrow.
Each time you trim, add one or two more nails, repeating the treat giving process. If done consistently, there's a good chance that your dog will associate nail trims with petting and treats rather than terror.
Adult Dogs
With adult dogs, acclimation to nail trims can be a little more tricky, particularly if they never got used to their paws being touched or if they've had negative experiences with past nail trims. I owned a basset hound when I was young who would scream like he was being murdered when he saw the nail trimmers come out of the drawer, even if he was on the other side of the room (Maxwell, my droopy drama queen).
Re-training is possible in many adult dogs. You'll need to follow the puppy process (foot touching, treating, one nail, treating, two nails, treating, and so on), but you'll have to be very careful to do this at their pace. Be patient, and avoid irritation or anger--they will pick up on your feelings, and this will create stress.
Having the right tools can also make a big difference. Not all dog nail trimmers are built alike, and each creates a different feeling for the dog. If blades are dull, they can feel uncomfortable pressure, and it makes trimming much harder for you. Don't buy the cheapest plastic trimmers you can find, even if they tout built-in "safety guards". As we discussed with nail anatomy, all dogs are different, and those companies can't possibly predict where your dog's quick ends. (I also find that the nail guard pieces can be a hindrance that just blocks you from seeing where you're about to cut, so I avoid these in general.)
There are three primary tools for adult dog nail trimmers:
- Guillotine Clippers - These clippers work just as the name implies. You slip them over the front of the nail, apply pressure, and the tip comes off like a guillotine. In my professional opinion, there is no good reason to ever use this type of trimmer. This old-fashioned design is harder to use and often results in accidental quicking. Avoid!
- Miller's Forge Trimmers - For adult dogs, these are my trimmers of choice. Opt for a design with a thick, stainless steel blade and a sturdy handle. With this design, you can trim a large section, or you can turn it as needed to "shave" small bits of the nail from multiple angles (ideal for dark nails) until you find the quick.
- Dremels - Yes, the power tool. It's not as scary as it sounds, and many dogs prefer this option unless they are particularly sensitive to noise or vibration. Dremels create a tingling sensation that can feel strange, but it is not painful (I've used them on myself!). They're also faster, harder to quick your dog, and you can get much closer to the quick, helping to reduce its length over time. Opt for the name brand pet Dremel, which is both powerful and relatively quiet, cordless, and has "low" and "high" settings and a wall charger.
Other pet brands are often more expensive and less effective, and some garage dremels are too powerful (and also loud and scary). As with regular trimmers, a slow introduction with treats is best. Start by just turning it on near your dog and giving treats so that they get used to the appearance and sound.
Fearful or Aggressive Dogs
For some dogs, retraining can only go so far. When there is true anxiety surrounding a nail trim, sedation is not a bad option. This can mean anything from a chew or pill given at home 30 minutes to an hour prior to the nail trim, or in extreme cases, an injectable sedative administered by your veterinarian. This is not to be confused with full anesthesia, and it generally poses very little risk to your pet. Rather than being a ball of stress and nerves while the person trimming struggles, your dog takes a nice nap and wakes up with shorter nails and little to no idea of what just happened. We would be happy to discuss the different options should your dog be a candidate for nail trim sedation.
Cat Claws
Cat Claws
Cats are a mixed bag when it comes to nail trims. Their claws are much easier to trim in general since they are translucent and small, but as most feline fanatics already know, they don't always tolerate things that are not their idea. It never hurts to have a helper offering a distraction (or gentle restraint of the head or other paws if needed). Since cats retract their nails, the easiest way to start is to use your thumb and pointer finger to apply a very gentle pressure at the top and bottom of the paw at the joint behind the claw. Once the nail is exposed and you can see the pink area of the quick, you can quickly and easily snip off the sharp tip with cat nail scissors. As with dogs, sedation might be recommended if your cat becomes particularly stressed out during this process.
Helpful Tips
- For many dogs, less is more. Restraint is necessary in some cases, but some dogs are more bothered by the idea of being held still than by the nail trim itself. Always err on the side of caution, however. If your dog is prone to biting and wary of having his feet touched, it is not a good idea to attempt this technique without a muzzle or a helper.
- Try a different environment. My roommate's 85 pound rottweiler mix is a giant baby if you try to trim his nails in the kitchen, but he cooperates in the bathtub with little issue. See if your dog has a "safe" place that he might prefer.
- Let someone else take over. Frequently, dogs know what they can get away with when they're dealing with mom or dad, or they might be feeding off of your own anxiety or stress. When another person steps in, the process could go entirely differently. As always, we are happy to help with this. We can even provide housecall nail trims should your pet do better with these in his home environment.
- Walk your dog on rough surfaces. Asphalt can act like a nail file, grinding down the nails and helping to keep them relatively short.
Request a Demonstration
If you're unsure how to use any of the tools that we've discussed here properly or just need a good idea of how to go about trimming your dog's nails, we are more than happy to show you. Personally, I enjoy trimming nails, and I am always ready to help others feel more confident about it. On your next visit to Shiloh, don't hesitate to ask us for a demonstration.
Comments? Questions? Reply to this post below! We would love to have your input on any and all of our posts.
Comments? Questions? Reply to this post below! We would love to have your input on any and all of our posts.
Comments
Post a Comment