Caleb Foster
Trimming your dog's nails is an essential part of their grooming routine. It can be a stressful experience for both you and your dog, but it's important for maintaining their health and hygiene. The quick, the blood supply to the nail, is sensitive and cutting it can be painful for your dog, so it's important to know how to spot it and trim their nails safely. The best way to determine if your dog's nails need trimming is to examine them—if they touch the ground or you can hear them clicking on hard floors, it's time for a trim.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to cut | Approximately once a month. More frequent walks on pavement or concrete may reduce the need for nail trims. |
| Dogs that are inactive or do not spend time on hard surfaces may need trims more often (every three weeks). | |
| Weekly or bi-weekly trims are ideal for the dog's comfort and to reduce the risk of cutting the quick. | |
| How to know if they need cutting | Check if the nails touch the ground when the dog is standing. |
| Listen for a clicking sound on hard floors when the dog is walking. | |
| If the nails are chipping, breaking, or peeling, this could be a sign of trauma/injury or other medical issues. | |
| Nails that are too long can cause deformed feet and injure the tendons over time. | |
| The quick will recede if trimmed regularly, allowing for shorter nails. | |
| Nails should be cut short enough that they do not touch the ground when the dog is standing squarely. | |
| Tools | Scissor clippers are suitable for small dogs. |
| Larger dogs need stronger clippers, such as plier-style or guillotine-style clippers. | |
| Dog nail grinders are also available, which file down the nail rather than cut it. | |
| Styptic powder or clotting powder can stop bleeding in case the quick is cut. |
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What You'll Learn
How often to cut dog nails
How often you should cut your dog's nails depends on the individual dog. Most dogs need their nails trimmed about once a month. However, dogs that walk frequently on pavement or concrete may not need their nails trimmed as often, as the hard, rough surface can help file their nails. On the other hand, inactive dogs or those that do not spend time on hard surfaces may need their nails trimmed more frequently, such as every three weeks.
The best way to determine whether your dog's nails need trimming is to examine them. If their nails touch the ground when standing or you can hear them clicking on hard floors when they walk, then it's time for a trim.
If your dog has dewclaws (smaller nails on the inside of the paw), don't forget to trim them as well. Since dewclaws don't touch the ground, they can become overgrown and curl into the paw pad.
When trimming your dog's nails, it's important to avoid cutting the quick, the sensitive part inside the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and cause bleeding. In light-colored nails, the quick appears as a soft pink region, while in darker nails, it's less obvious, so you'll need to trim slowly and look for a black dot in the center of the nail. Once you see the dot, stop cutting.
To trim your dog's nails, you can use nail scissors, grinder tools, or guillotine-style clippers. If you're unsure how to trim your dog's nails or are nervous about doing it yourself, you can always take them to a professional groomer or vet clinic, which can offer sedation if your dog is very anxious.
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How to cut dog nails safely
Get down and examine your dog's nails. If their nails touch the ground or you can hear them clicking on hard floors when they walk, they are too long and need to be trimmed.
Firstly, if your dog has dewclaws (smaller nails on the inside of the paw), don't forget to trim those too. Dewclaws can become overgrown and grow into the paw pad.
If your dog has long hair, tie it back before you start trimming to prevent it from getting caught.
If your dog has light-coloured nails, you should be able to see the quick—a pink area towards the base of the nail. Your goal is to cut 2–3 mm away from the quick to avoid causing pain. If your dog has dark nails, look for a chalky white ring and trim very small sections (1–2 mm) at a time so that you don't cut the quick, which will bleed if cut.
Cut the nail vertically, following the nail's angle at about a 45-degree angle.
If you do cut the quick, don't panic. Apply some styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch to stop the bleeding.
It's best to get your dog comfortable with nail clipping and handling their paws from a young age. However, it's never too late to start! You can follow the American Kennel Club's step-by-step guide on helping your dog get comfortable with the clipper or grinder.
Most owners find it easiest to trim their dog's nails with their dog facing away from them. If your dog gets anxious or restless, take a break and come back when they've calmed down. Using incentives, such as peanut butter on a bathtub wall, can help keep your dog occupied while you clip their nails.
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How to spot the quick
The "quick" is a soft cuticle that contains the blood vessel and nerves that run through your dog's nail. It is mainly located above the nail curve, and it provides nourishment to the nails, enabling their growth and sensation. If you cut into this part of the nail, your dog will feel pain and will likely bleed from the nail. Therefore, it is important to be able to spot the quick.
If your dog has light-coloured nails, spotting the quick is relatively easy. Gently hold their paw and look down at the semi-transparent nails to locate the pink region in the centre of each nail. This pink area is the quick.
However, it is much harder to spot the quick on black or dark-coloured nails due to the lack of colour contrast. In this case, you can try looking at the bottom of your dog's nails to see if there is a groove that separates the hard nail from the soft cuticle. You can also shine a light on your dog's paws to help identify where the quick is located.
Another method to try is the "test squeeze". Gently squeeze the clippers against the nail, applying pressure without cutting it. If your dog tries to pull away, you are likely pinching the quick. Move the clippers further down towards the nail tip.
If you are still unsure about the location of the quick, or if your dog shows signs of discomfort, it is best to stop trimming and seek assistance from a professional groomer or veterinarian.
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What to do if you cut the quick
Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and cause bleeding. If you cut the quick, don't panic. You can apply a small amount of styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch to the end of your dog's nail to stop the bleeding. If you don't have any styptic powder, Dr Karwacki suggests using powdered flour on the nail bed, the area underneath the hard part of the nail where the quick and other sensitive tissues are located. Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder is a good clotting substrate as it has a numbing agent in it for pain and generally stops minor bleeding quickly.
If you cut the quick, your dog will likely start to bleed, so it is a good idea to have a clotting powder made for dogs to help stop the bleeding. If there seems to be any further damage to your dog's nail or foot, it is best to call your vet right away for further advice.
If your dog is very upset by the procedure, a vet clinic can offer sedation. It is important to keep everyone calm. A healthy dog will not bleed to death from a cut toenail. Apply direct pressure to your dog's bleeding nail. You can use anything from a clean paper towel to facial tissue to the hem of your shirt. Your dog may be a bit hesitant about you pressing on the injured nail, but if you remain calm, this is a doable and helpful step.
It is natural for dogs to resist having their feet handled, but most dogs can be trained to tolerate and even enjoy nail trims. It can be very sensitive until it heals, so you should let your dog choose their activities.
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Different types of nail clippers
Examine your dog's nails. If they touch the ground, they are too long and need to be trimmed. If you can hear their nails clicking on hard floors, this is another clear indicator that their nails are too long.
There are several types of dog nail trimmers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:
- Scissor-style clippers: These clippers are shaped like scissors and have two blades that cut the nail when you squeeze the handles together. They are typically best suited for small dogs, as they can provide more control and precision when trimming. Examples include Frisco® nail clippers and Shiny Pet Nail Clippers, which have angled stainless steel blades and an anti-slip grip.
- Guillotine-style clippers: With this type of clipper, you feed the nail through a hole, and then squeeze the handles to raise a blade from the base to cut the nail. They can be easier to use on small dogs, but some people find them harder to control and they may increase the risk of cutting the quick. Examples include Resco Original Deluxe Dog Nail Clippers.
- Pliers-style clippers: These clippers work similarly to scissors but often have a heavy-duty spring that gives them added strength, making them suitable for larger dogs with thicker nails. Examples include Millers Forge® nail clippers and Andis Pet Nail Clippers, which have sharp stainless steel blades and a large tension spring.
- Grinder tools: Instead of cutting the nail, grinder tools file the nail down. An example of this type of tool is the Dremel PawControl 7760-PGKD Deluxe Pet Nail Trimming Kit.
It is important to choose the right type of nail clipper for your dog's size and breed, and to always have styptic powder or another clotting powder on hand in case of accidental cuts to the quick.
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Frequently asked questions
Most dogs need their nails trimmed about once a month. Dogs that walk on pavement or concrete may need their nails trimmed less often, as the hard, rough surface can help file the nail. Dogs that are inactive or spend little time on hard surfaces may need their nails trimmed more frequently, such as every three weeks.
If your dog's nails touch the ground when they're standing, they're too long. If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on hard floors, that's another sign that they're too long.
The quick is the soft, pink part of a dog's nail that supplies blood to the nail. Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and cause bleeding. The quick is more visible in light-coloured nails, but if your dog has dark nails, look for a black dot in the centre of the nail. Once the dot appears, you've reached the quick and should stop cutting.
