Noah Sinclair
Maltese dogs are known for their long, white, and silky hair, but their nails also need attention. The quick, or blood and nerve supply, in their nails is sensitive and can cause discomfort and bleeding if cut. Therefore, it is important to trim their nails regularly, ideally once every two to three weeks, to prevent this. The nails are softest after a bath, so this is a good time to trim them. It is also important to examine the nails for any redness, soreness, or swelling before trimming them. If you are unsure about the process, it is best to consult a veterinarian or groomer for guidance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to trim | Once every two or three weeks |
| How to know if trimming is required | Nails touching the ground while standing or making a clicking sound while walking |
| Best time to trim | After a bath when the nails are soft |
| Trimming tools | Guillotine-type or pliers-type sharp trimmer, nail scissors, grinder tools |
| Trimming process | Cut at a 45-degree angle below the quick |
| Trimming tips | Turn the dog upside down, place on a slippery surface, reward and praise the dog |
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What You'll Learn
How to trim Maltese nails
Trimming your Maltese's nails is an essential part of dog grooming and keeping your pup healthy. Ideally, you should trim their nails once every two to three weeks. Nails are softest just after a bath, so this is a good time to clip them.
Before you begin, examine your dog's toes for any ingrown nails, soreness, redness, swelling, or discharges. If you notice any of these issues, contact your vet. If your Maltese has clear white nails, the pinkish "quick" or blood and nerve supply will be easy to see. If your Maltese has black nails, make several tiny cuts to reduce the chances of cutting into the quick.
If your Maltese is friendly, you can place them on your lap and turn them upside down to trim their nails. This makes the process easier. If your dog is less cooperative, you may need to place them on a grooming table or a slippery surface like a washing machine, so they stand very still.
When you are ready to trim, cut the nail below the quick at a 45-degree angle. The cutting end of the nail clipper should face toward the end of the nail. Make tiny cuts to avoid cutting the quick, which can cause bleeding and discomfort. After clipping, use a nail file to smooth any cracked or rough nails.
If you accidentally cut the nail too short, use styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, contact your vet. Regular nail trimming will cause the quick to recede, reducing the chances of cutting into it next time. Don't forget to trim the dewclaws, the little fifth nails on the front legs, if your Maltese still has them.
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How often to trim
Maltese nails should be trimmed regularly to keep them short and prevent the quick from getting too close to the tip. The quick is the blood and nerve supply in the centre of the nail, and cutting it can cause bleeding and discomfort. By trimming the nails regularly, the quick will recede, reducing the risk of cutting into it.
The ideal frequency for trimming Maltese nails is once every two to three weeks. This may vary depending on the dog's activities and the surfaces they walk on. For example, if the Maltese spends a lot of time walking on hard surfaces like concrete, their nails may wear down naturally, and trimming may be required less frequently. On the other hand, if the dog spends most of its time indoors on soft surfaces, the nails may need to be trimmed more often.
It is important to start trimming a Maltese's nails from a young age so they become accustomed to the process. Before trimming, examine the nails for any signs of infection or injury, such as ingrown nails, soreness, redness, swelling, or discharges. If any issues are detected, consult a veterinarian.
When trimming, it is recommended to use a guillotine-type or pliers-type sharp trimmer specifically designed for dogs. Hold the Maltese securely, either on your lap, a grooming table, or a slippery surface like a washing machine to minimise movement. Cut the nail at a 45-degree angle below the quick, making tiny cuts to avoid cutting into the quick. Always have styptic powder or other clotting agents on hand to stop bleeding in case of accidental cuts.
By following these guidelines and maintaining a regular trimming schedule, you can ensure the comfort and well-being of your Maltese while keeping their nails healthy and short.
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What tools to use
It is important to have the right tools when trimming your Maltese's nails. You can use a guillotine-type or pliers-type sharp trimmer, whichever you find suitable. If your Maltese is friendly enough, you can place them on your lap and turn them upside down, which can make the process easier.
Dog nail clippers are a popular choice for nail trimming. Clippers should be sharp and ideally have sturdy, non-slip handles. Some clippers also come with LED lights to help you avoid over-cutting. You can also use small nail scissors, especially if you are trimming your dog's nails a little bit at a time.
Another option is to use a dog nail grinder. Grinders are electric tools that can be used to trim and smooth nails. They are often rechargeable and come with different speed settings. Some grinders also have LED lights.
If your Maltese has cracked or rough nails, you can use a nail file to smooth the surface. You can go from the base of the nail to the tip softly while smoothing.
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How to get your Maltese used to nail trims
Maltese nails should be trimmed once every two to five weeks. Nails are softest just after a bath, so this is a good time to clip them. If your Maltese is a puppy, you can start trimming their nails now, or wait until two to three weeks after you've adopted them.
- Show the nail clipper or grinder to your dog and let them sniff it.
- If your Maltese is friendly, place them on your lap and turn them upside down. Cutting nails in this position is more effortless. You can also use a grooming table or put them on a washing machine—the slippery surface will make your dog cautious and prevent them from making unnecessary movements.
- Before you start trimming, check your dog's nails for any ingrown nails, swelling, discharges, redness, or soreness. If you detect a problem, call the vet.
- Take your Maltese's paw and observe to locate the quick—the blood or nerve supply area, which is pink. You don't want to cut into this! Start clipping at a 45-degree angle below the quick. Make tiny cuts to avoid cutting the quick.
- Reward your Maltese and praise them every time you cut a nail.
- After you finish clipping the nails, trim any scraggly hair growing between the toe pads.
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What to do if you cut the nail too short
Cutting your dog's nails is a delicate process, and it is common for dog owners to cut their dog's nails too short. If you cut your Maltese's nail too short, it will bleed a lot because you would have cut into an actual blood vessel that supplies the nail bed. Here are some steps you can take to address the situation:
Apply pressure
Use a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the bleeding nail tip. This will slow down the blood flow through the injury and allow platelets to stick to the wound edges and initiate clotting. It can take about 2 to 4 minutes for a dog's nail to stop bleeding, so you may need to hold the cloth in place for that duration.
Use styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch
If the bleeding does not stop, you can use styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch to help stop the bleeding. Apply pressure on the wound with any of these products and then wrap the paw. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, contact your vet.
Prevent your dog from licking the wound
Do not let your dog lick the wound, as there is a risk of bacterial infection from the dog's mouth. Keep the nail bandaged to avoid this.
Monitor the wound
Monitor the wound over the next 24 hours. Avoid walking your dog on rough surfaces, and limit their exercise if they seem uncomfortable or are limping. The nail will take about two weeks to regrow and protect the quick.
Consult a veterinarian
If the bleeding does not stop or the nail does not seem to be healing, take your dog to the veterinarian.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to trim your Maltese's nails every two to four weeks. The nails are softest just after a bath, so that is a good time to clip them.
If your Maltese's nails touch the ground while standing or make a clicking sound while walking, it means the nails are too long.
The key to successful nail trimming is to understand the anatomy of the nail. The "quick" is the blood and nerve supply inside the nail that should be avoided when cutting. Most Maltese have clear white nails, so the pinkish quick is easy to spot. If your Maltese has black nails, you will need to make several tiny cuts to avoid cutting the quick.
You should use nail trimmers specifically designed for dogs. For small dogs like the Maltese, guillotine-type clippers may be the most effective. If your Maltese has black nails, a dog nail grinder may be a better option as it files down the nail, making it easier to avoid the quick.
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