How To Trim Your Dogs Nails

Posted by Charla Dawson Aug 8, 2006

Dogs who lead an active lifestyle and are able to walk on pavement are able to keep their nails worn back but couch-potato dogs will more then likely need to have their nails trimmed. This can be done at an animal hospital or for the more adventurous type, you can learn to trim nails at home. It is important for the health of your dogs feet that the nails be kept trimmed, long nails can be painful, lead to arthritis, and begin to grow into the pad.

1. Go for a long walk, at least 45 minutes (shorter for older dogs, you should know what your dog can safely tolerate). A good dog is a tired dog. The walk should be controlled, you are the alpha, the dog should walk at your side, not in front.
2. Assemble what you need - dog nail trimmers (I like Rescos), styptic powder - in case you cut a nail to short, paper towel - in case of bleeding.
3. Hold your dog so that it is lying on the floor, small dogs can be on a table. I find it easier if the dog is lying on its side, if needed someone can hold for you. The holder should sit with the dogs back to them, their left hand holding the dogs bottom front leg, the right hand holding the bottom back leg. The forearms should rest across the dogs neck and abdomen. By holding the bottom legs the dog will not be able to get up. If the dog is anxious placing a towel over it's face may help keep the animal calm.
4. Resco nail trimmers should be held so that the trigger is in your fingers the back of the trimmer in your palm.
5. Hold your dogs paw firmly and push on a digit to extend the nail further. Cut the nail from the bottom up. With clear nails you should be able to see the quick or blood supply, it will be the pink portion of the nail. Avoid the pink, try to stay about 1/8" away from the pink portion. Ideally your cut should be at a 45 degree angle. If the nails are dark, cut small amounts or just shave off bits at a time until you see a black dot surrounded by white in the center of the nail. The black dot is the quick so you shouldn't cut anymore.
6. If you cut a nail to short it will bleed, sometimes a lot. Have a paper towel ready to blot away any blood and hold against the nail for a few minutes. Direct pressure really helps, next apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding. If you don't have styptic powder sometimes flour or cornstarch will work. If the bleeding doesn't stop within 10 minutes call your veterinarian, they can get the bleeding stopped for you.
7. The nails will feel very sharp to you after they've been cut so be careful not to get scratched. Walking on pavement is a good way to keep nails filed and worn down. If your dog will tolerate it, try using a nail file after trimming the nails.
8. Don't get bit. If your dog may bite you over a nail trim then leave it to the professionals, it's not worth an ER visit.