Noah Sinclair
Morkies, a crossbreed between Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers, require regular grooming. This includes brushing, trimming hair, and cutting nails. Nail cutting, in particular, is essential for the health and comfort of Morkies. If you can hear your Morkie's nails clicking on the floor, it's a sign that they have grown too long and need trimming. This task can be done at home, but it is important to be cautious to avoid causing pain and bleeding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to cut | When nails are clicking on the floor |
| Nail length to cut to | 3mm from the quick |
| What to do if you cut too far | Stop trimming, apply styptic powder or cornstarch to stop bleeding |
| How to cut nails | Hold clippers at a right angle to the nail, firmly squeeze handles to cut |
| How to identify the quick | If nails are clear, the quick is pink. If nails are black, look for a curve in the nail |
| How to cut black nails | Cut one sliver at a time, look at the exposed edge, stop when you see a grey or pink oval |
| How to prevent nails getting too long | Regular grooming |
| How to groom | Brush daily, use a slicker brush or pin brush, brush in the direction of hair growth, trim hair so it doesn't touch the floor, clean eyes and ears |
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What You'll Learn
How to hold the clippers
Holding the clippers correctly is an important part of cutting your Morkie's nails. You should hold the clippers at a right angle to the nail, positioning the nail between the blades. It's important to be confident when holding the clippers, as your dog will sense any hesitation. Firmly squeeze the handles to close the scissors and cut the nail.
If your Morkie has clear nails, you'll be able to see the live quick, which is pink. Make sure to cut the nail no closer than about 3 millimetres from the quick. If your dog has black nails, take a close look and find the curve in the nail, which is where the quick ends. You can cut about 3 millimetres below that.
If your Morkie has dark nails, you might prefer to trim one small sliver of nail at a time, starting with the tip. As you cut slices off, look at the exposed edge of the cut nail. Eventually, you'll see a grey or pink oval start to appear. Stop trimming as soon as you see the oval. If you cut into the quick, it will be painful and cause bleeding.
Before you begin, it's a good idea to have Styptic powder or plain cornstarch to hand. If you do cut into the quick, put your dog's paw into the powder, which will help stop the bleeding.
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Where to cut the nail
Knowing where to cut a Morkie's nails takes skill and practice. Firstly, it is important to get your Morkie comfortable with you handling its paws. If your Morkie is not comfortable, you can get its nails cut at your local grooming parlour or by a vet technician.
If your Morkie has clear nails, you will be able to see the live quick, which is pink. You should cut the nail no closer than about 3 millimetres from the quick. If you cut into the quick, it will be painful and cause bleeding. If your dog has black nails, take a close look and find the curve in the nail. This is where the quick ends, so cut about 3 millimetres below that. If your Morkie has dark nails, you might prefer to trim a small sliver of the nail at a time, starting with the tip. As you cut slices off, look at the exposed edge of the cut nail. Eventually, you will see a grey or pink oval start to appear. Stop trimming as soon as you see the oval.
It is important to have Styptic powder or plain cornstarch on hand in case you cut into the quick. This will help stop the bleeding.
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What to do if you cut too close
If you cut your Morkie's nails too close, you will have cut into an actual blood vessel that supplies the nail bed, so you can expect a lot of bleeding. It is important to stay calm as there can be a lot of blood and it could hurt your dog. If you do cut too close, you should apply firm pressure to slow the blood flow. Hold a clean cloth on the bleeding nail for 2 to 4 minutes. If your dog will tolerate it, you can also apply something cold to the nail, as this will cause the blood vessels to shrink and slow the blood flow.
If the bleeding doesn't stop after 5 to 10 minutes, or the nail is spurting blood, call your vet right away. Before you begin cutting your dog's nails, it is a good idea to have styptic powder or plain cornstarch handy, as this will help to stop the bleeding. If you cut into the quick, put your dog's paw into the powder or cornstarch. You can also buy commercially available powders that encourage clotting, but be aware that these will burn when applied, which may be a negative learning experience for your dog.
No matter what you do to encourage clotting, your dog will likely need a bandage to protect the wound and prevent them from licking it. Licking could lead to an infection, and it is important to keep the nail covered until it has healed. It can take up to two weeks for the nail to regrow and protect the quick.
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How to get your Morkie used to nail cutting
Morkies have thin, fragile skin and long, thick hair that requires regular grooming. To get your Morkie used to nail cutting, you should first get them used to having their paws handled and manipulated. Start by gently touching and holding their paws, rewarding them with treats when they sit still and let you handle their feet. You can also get them used to the sound and sensation of the clippers by turning them on and off near your dog, gradually moving closer until they are comfortable.
Once your Morkie is comfortable with you handling their paws, you can introduce the nail-cutting process. Start by trimming just the very tips of their nails, as this will help your dog get used to the sensation of the clippers and reduce the risk of cutting into the quick. Again, reward your dog with treats and praise when they sit still and let you trim their nails.
If your Morkie has dark nails, you might prefer to trim one small slice of the nail at a time. As you cut, look at the exposed edge of the nail. Eventually, you'll see a grey or pink oval start to appear, which indicates the quick. Stop trimming as soon as you see this oval to avoid cutting into the quick, which can be painful and cause bleeding.
It's important to remember that you don't have to cut all four paws at once. If your Morkie is uncomfortable or struggling, take a break and try again later. You can also get their nails cut by a professional groomer or veterinarian if needed.
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Trimming nails at the groomers
Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming and can be done by a professional groomer. Dog owners can opt to have their dog's nails cut at a groomer's if they are feeling squeamish or nervous about doing it themselves. Groomers will be used to dogs who are nervous or uncooperative, so don't worry if your dog is not relaxed about the process.
It is important to get your Morkie used to having its nails cut and its paws handled before going to the groomers. You can do this by gently tapping its nails with a metal spoon or clippers, and placing it on a tall surface to get it used to the sensation of being at the groomer's. You can also get your Morkie used to the sound of the clippers by letting it sniff the tool and then turning them on.
When cutting your Morkie's nails, it is important to use the right type of clippers. Guillotine-style clippers are not recommended for Morkies as they can crush their small nails. Scissor-type clippers are ideal for small dogs like Morkies, but make sure they are sharp. Hold the clippers at a right angle to the nail, with the tip of the nail between the blades. Firmly squeeze the handles to cut the nail.
If your Morkie has dark nails, trim a tiny sliver of the nail at a time. You should see a grey or pink oval appear, which is the quick. The quick supplies blood to the nail and cutting it will cause bleeding and discomfort. Cut no closer than about 3mm from the quick.
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Frequently asked questions
If you can hear your Morkie's nails clicking on the floor, they need to be trimmed.
Hold the clippers at a right angle to the nail, with the tip of the nail between the blades. Firmly squeeze the handles to close the scissors and cut the nail. Make sure you don't cut the quick, which is the pink part of the nail. Cut no closer than about 3mm from the quick.
If you cut the quick, you must act quickly to stop the bleeding. Apply styptic powder or plain cornstarch to the nail to help stop the bleeding. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 5-10 minutes, call your vet.
