Ava Monroe
Trimming your dog's nails is an essential part of maintaining their health and well-being. Ignoring overgrown nails can lead to discomfort, behavioural changes, and even irreversible damage to your dog's paws and legs. To prevent this, it is important to trim your dog's nails regularly, using the correct tools and techniques. This process can be daunting, especially for anxious dogs, but with patience, positive reinforcement, and the right approach, you can help your dog achieve and maintain healthy nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who cuts long dog nails | Vets, dog groomers, or dog owners |
| Tools used to cut long dog nails | Pet nail clippers, caustic pencils, lasers, Pedi-paws, dremel, scissors |
| Pain management | Anesthesia, pain meds, mild sedation, trazodone, gabapentin, Benadryl, valerian root |
| Nail characteristics | Contain nerves and blood vessels, the quick is the inner living part, nails can be white or black |
| Nail trimming frequency | Depends on breed, medical conditions, and activity level |
| Nail trimming techniques | Cut at a 45-degree angle, cut straight across from the pad, apply gentle pressure with nail trimmers |
| Aftercare | Use styptic powder or soap to stop bleeding, bathe in plain or salty water, apply pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Vets use lasers or clippers to cut long dog nails
Vets use a variety of tools and methods to cut long dog nails, including lasers and clippers. Some dogs may require sedation or anaesthesia during the process to ensure their comfort and safety.
Lasers
In some cases, vets may use lasers to trim a dog's nails. This method can be particularly effective for dogs with long quicks, which are the living inner parts of the nails that contain nerves and blood vessels. The laser is used to cut back the nails while the dog is under anaesthesia. While this method can be painful for the dog, vets may prescribe pain medication to help manage discomfort during the recovery process.
Clippers
Another common tool used by vets to cut long dog nails is nail clippers. It is important to use the correct size of clippers for the dog's nail size. Vets will typically advise on the suitable size of trimmers for at-home nail care. Clippers are used to cut the nails straight across from the pad or at a 45-degree angle, depending on the visualisation of the quick.
Sedation and Anaesthesia
For dogs that are anxious or difficult to restrain, sedation or anaesthesia may be necessary during the nail-trimming process. This ensures the safety and comfort of both the dog and the vet. Some vets may also offer additional services, such as dental cleaning, while the dog is under anaesthesia.
Aftercare
If the nails are accidentally cut too short, causing bleeding, there are several aftercare methods to stop the bleeding. Applying cold plain or salty water and pressure using a dressing or a clean bar of soap can help stop the bleeding and provide relief.
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Sedation or anaesthesia is often used to calm dogs
Nail trimming is a stressful situation for dogs, and it can even become unsafe for the dog and the vet if the dog is anxious. Sedation or anaesthesia is often used to calm dogs during nail trimming.
Some dogs may be averse to nail trimming due to the natural sensitivity of their paws. Even a gentle touch on their paws can make them pull away. This is a normal reflex, and it is tested as part of a neurologic exam to ensure healthy nerve function. Nail trimming involves grabbing and holding a dog's paw and bringing a foreign object, such as nail clippers, close to their toes. This can be a stressful experience for the dog, and they may need to be sedated to calm them down.
Sedatives block the central nervous system, eliminating anxiety by making the dog relaxed and comfortable. There are many over-the-counter drugs that can be used to sedate dogs for nail trimming. For example, Benadryl is a mild antihistamine sedative that helps calm dogs when they are nervous about nail clipping. Melatonin supplements help regulate body rhythm and calm dogs down. Natural sedation methods include herbs like California poppy, chamomile, rosemary, or valerian, which act as natural relaxants. Oral medications such as Trazodone, Diazepam, Acepromazine, Valium, or Gabapentin can also help reduce anxiety.
In some cases, dogs may need to be put under anaesthesia for nail trimming. This is generally safe but carries more risks than oral medications. It is also more time-consuming, labour-intensive, and expensive. Anaesthesia may be recommended if a dog's quicks are too long and cannot be properly trimmed, as this can cause the nails to start curving into the dog's paw pads. While under anaesthesia, vets may also perform other procedures such as cleaning the dog's teeth.
It is important to discuss any breed-specific concerns with a veterinarian before sedating a dog. After the sedation wears off, dogs should be monitored to ensure they return to normal without any lingering effects from the sedative.
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Dog nail anatomy: quick, blood vessel and nerve supply
Dog nail anatomy plays a crucial role in the health and comfort of dogs. The toenail is composed of two major parts: the quick, and the horn-like nail itself. The quick contains a blood vessel and a nerve that nourish the nail. This bundle of blood vessels and nerves is also referred to as the "living tissue".
The quick is the pink-coloured area inside the nail that can be easily identified in clear nails. In dark nails, the quick is harder to identify. The quick is very sensitive, and when injured or cut, it causes pain and bleeding. The nail that grows beyond the quick is white in colour and does not have any feeling.
As the nail grows, the quick grows with it. Therefore, in cases of nail overgrowth, it is important to be extra careful when trimming to avoid cutting into the quick. This is especially important in older dogs with long quicks, as the quick can become exposed and cause pain and bleeding.
To trim a dog's nails safely, it is important to stay far away from the quick to avoid causing pain or drawing blood. Trimming the nails under anaesthesia is generally safe unless the nails are trimmed too short, cutting into the blood vessel and causing bleeding. In such cases, vets may cauterize the nails to stop the bleeding.
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How to prevent long nails: clipping, walking on rough surfaces
Long nails can cause a lot of problems for dogs, leading to discomfort and health issues. The longer the nails, the more the quick grows with them, making it harder to trim them short again. Nails that are too long can cause the toes to splay, putting uncomfortable pressure on the foot and leg structure. Over time, this can lead to tendon injuries and even deformed feet.
Clipping
The key to trimming overgrown dog nails is to encourage the quick to recede by trimming gradually. After the initial trim of the tip of the nail, trim a little bit at a time on a regular cadence—about once a week—and the quick will recede, making it easier to keep your dog's nails short.
If your dog has light-coloured nails, you will be able to see the quick more clearly. The quick is the pink area of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. If you cut into it, it will bleed and be very painful for your dog. If you accidentally cut the quick, you can use styptic powder to stop the bleeding.
If your dog has dark nails, it may be harder to estimate where the quick begins. In this case, trim very small bits of the nail at a time. After making a cut, look at the tip of the nail. As you cut deeper, you'll be able to see a grey-pink oval appear at the top of the cut surface, with a small black dot in the centre of the white portion. At this point, stop cutting.
Walking on rough surfaces
Walking on rough surfaces such as asphalt or concrete can help to wear down a dog's nails. However, it is important to note that simply walking on rough surfaces may not be enough to keep your dog's nails at a healthy length, and regular trimming is still necessary.
Tennis courts with rough synthetic flooring are a good option for walking your dog, as they are often gated so you can let them off the leash.
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What to do if you accidentally cut nails too short
It is crucial to identify if you've cut your dog's nail too short to provide immediate and effective care. The most common sign is bleeding, which occurs when the quick, the nail's sensitive inner part containing blood vessels, is nicked. The intensity of the bleeding can vary, but even a small cut can be painful for your dog. Other signs to watch for include limping or favoring the injured paw. Your dog might also lick or bite at the nail, indicating discomfort or pain. Vocal expressions of pain, such as whining or yelping, may also be heard.
If you notice bleeding, it is important to remain calm and act promptly. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for a few minutes to help stop the bleeding. You can also use products like Kwik Stop or a styptic powder to aid in stopping the bleeding. If you don't have access to these products, flour, cornstarch, or baking soda can be used instead. Create a paste with water and apply it to the nail to cover the quick while it clots.
Once the bleeding has stopped, keep your dog calm and quiet. Avoid exciting them, as raising their blood pressure can cause the bleeding to start again. It is also recommended to keep them off cement or other rough surfaces for at least 48 hours to prevent further irritation.
If the bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes or if the nail appears severely damaged, seek professional help. Infections, prolonged pain, and other complications can arise from cutting the nail too short, and a veterinarian's intervention may be necessary. Additionally, if your dog exhibits signs of extreme discomfort or behavioral changes, a professional check-up is recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to trim your dog's nails once a week or once every two weeks.
Let your dog sniff the nail clippers or grinder, then reward them with a treat. Cut one nail and give your dog another treat. Only do one nail a day at first until your dog gets used to it.
Guillotine-style clippers have a hole that you poke the nail through. Scissors-style clippers look like small scissors with divots toward the end of each blade and are best for small dogs and puppies. Pliers-style clippers resemble scissors-style clippers but have a spring, making them stronger and better for large, thick nails. Nail grinders, commonly referred to by the Dremel brand name, file your dog’s nails smooth while also making it easier to avoid hitting the quick.
The quick is a bundle of blood vessels and nerves within the nail. It supplies blood to the nail and runs through its core. Nerves in the quick cause bleeding and discomfort when cut. The quick grows with the nail, so overgrown nails will have a longer quick, making it difficult to trim the nail back to an appropriate length.
Hold your dog's paw close to their body to prevent them from pulling it away. Squeeze the paw and lift one of their toes from underneath to separate out the nail you plan to trim. Before you take the clippers or grinder to an overgrown nail, look at the nail in the light to identify the quick. Only the tip of the nail should be clipped straight across.
