Caleb Foster
Trimming a dog's nails is an essential part of dog ownership and can be done at home or by a professional groomer or veterinarian. Regular nail maintenance is important for dogs' health and comfort, as overgrown nails can cause pain and, in rare cases, irreversible damage. The frequency of nail trims depends on the dog's lifestyle and activity level, but most dogs require trims about once a month. Performing a nail trim requires the right tools, patience, and a gentle and positive attitude to ensure a safe and stress-free experience for both the dog and the handler.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Every two weeks for short nails, once a month for normal length nails, or as often as it takes to prevent nails from touching the ground |
| Tools | Dog-friendly nail clippers or grinders, styptic powder or clotting powder to stop bleeding, flashlight |
| Dog's position | Standing with feet on a non-slip floor or table, sitting, or lying sternal |
| Training | Start when the dog is a puppy, get them used to having their paws touched, let them sniff the clippers, give treats and praise |
| Technique | Trim 1-2 mm at a time, cut at or near where the nail begins to curve, trim the rollover, avoid the quick, trim the dewclaws |
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What You'll Learn
How often to trim
How often you should trim your dog's nails depends on your dog's lifestyle and nail growth. Most dogs need their nails trimmed approximately once a month. Dogs that walk on hard, rough surfaces like concrete or pavement may not need their nails trimmed as often, as these surfaces can help file the nail. Inactive dogs or those that spend little time on hard surfaces may need their nails trimmed more frequently, such as every three weeks.
A good rule of thumb is to trim your dog's nails as often as it takes to prevent their nails from touching the ground when standing or heard tapping on hard surfaces when walking. This frequency will differ for each dog.
Regular nail trimming will cause the quick—the sensitive part inside a dog's nail that contains blood vessels and nerves—to recede, allowing the nails to be trimmed shorter. If possible, it is recommended to trim your dog's nails weekly or at least every other week.
If your dog has dewclaws (smaller nails on the inner part of the paw), don't forget to trim them. Dewclaws don't touch the ground, so they can become overgrown and may even grow into the paw pad.
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Clipper types
There are several types of dog nail trimmers, including nail scissors, grinder tools, and guillotine types. The best type of nail clipper for your dog will depend on their size and breed. Here is an overview of the different types of clippers:
Scissor Clippers
Scissor clippers, like the Frisco® nail clippers, are a great option for small dogs. These clippers look like scissors and have notches on the blades to hold the nail in place. Scissor clippers are often used to trim the dew claw. Light-coloured claws are easier to cut with scissor clippers as the quick is more visible.
Guillotine Clippers
Guillotine-style clippers, such as the ones by Resco®, are placed through a hole, and a sharp blade pushes up to cut the nail. These clippers are easy to use on small dogs and may stay sharp longer. However, they can make it harder to gauge where you are trimming, increasing the risk of cutting the quick.
Pliers-Style Clippers
Larger dogs with thick nails may require stronger clippers, such as pliers-style clippers like the Millers Forge® nail clipper. These clippers have a heavy-duty spring that gives them added strength. The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer is another example of a pliers-style tool with a non-slip handle suitable for right or left-handed use.
Grinders
In addition to clippers, you can use a grinder, or motorized nail file, to smooth out any sharp edges on the nail. A grinder is generally considered easier and safer to use than clippers as you don't run the risk of cutting the quick. However, it can be challenging to desensitize your dog to the grinder due to the noise, vibrations, and the time it takes to file the nails.
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Avoiding the quick
The quick is a cuticle inside the dog's nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and cause bleeding. The longer the nail, the longer the quick. In lighter-coloured nails, the quick appears as a soft pink region. In dogs with black nails, the quick is harder to identify, so you should trim slowly and carefully, looking for a black dot in the centre of the nail. Once the dot appears, stop cutting.
To avoid cutting the quick, trim a little at a time, aiming to make your final cut at or near the point where the nail begins to curve. If your dog has dewclaws (smaller nails on the inside of the paw), remember to trim these too, as they don't touch the ground and can become overgrown.
If you're using guillotine-style clippers, be aware that these can make it harder to gauge where you're trimming and increase the risk of cutting the quick. A dog nail grinder may be a better option for dogs with black nails, as it's easier to avoid the quick. However, grinders can be loud, and the noise may frighten your dog.
If you do cut the quick, you'll need to stop the bleeding. Have styptic powder or another clotting powder on hand to stop any bleeding. You can also use cornstarch or silver nitrate sticks.
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Calming techniques
Training and Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to make nail trimming a positive experience for your dog. Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection during and after each successful nail trim. This helps to create positive associations with the process, reducing fear and anxiety. Start by getting your dog accustomed to seeing and hearing the nail clippers. Act happy and excited when grabbing the clippers, and give your dog a treat. Repeat this process several times a day for a couple of weeks. You can also incorporate play and distractions during nail trimming. For example, engage your dog in their favourite game or provide them with a puzzle toy stuffed with treats to keep them occupied.
Desensitizing and Counter-Conditioning
Desensitizing your dog to nail trimming involves gradually introducing them to the process and tools used. This takes patience and consistency. Start by gently holding their paws and rubbing them, giving treats and praise throughout. You can also introduce the clipping tool alongside paw handling, helping your dog associate both with positive rewards. Counter-conditioning is a form of training that associates nail clipping with something your dog loves, such as treats or praise.
Distractions and Relaxation Techniques
Distractions can help calm your dog during nail trimming. For example, using treats or peanut butter on a lick mat can give your dog something tasty to focus on. Playing music or white noise can also help drown out the sound of the clippers. Additionally, CBD products can be used to help your dog feel calm and relaxed during nail trimming.
Medication and Sedation
In some cases, medication or mild sedation may be beneficial for dogs with severe anxiety. Commonly used medications include trazodone and gabapentin. Over-the-counter drugs such as Benadryl (a mild antihistamine) and melatonin supplements can also help calm your dog. Natural sedation methods include herbs like chamomile, rosemary, or valerian, which have relaxing properties.
Remember, it's important to be patient and persistent when using these calming techniques. With time, your dog can learn to accept and even look forward to nail trimming as a routine part of their care.
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Grinding techniques
Grinding tools use a sandpaper-like material and a motor to shave down nails smoothly. They slowly grind the nail down to a smooth finish, allowing you to stop and check that you're not cutting too far. Dog nail grinders are often considered the safest and easiest kind of dog trimmer to use, as they trim nails little by little. This makes them a great option for dogs with sensitive, thick, or black nails.
When using a dog nail grinder, it’s important to know how to use it safely. Grinders make a whirring, vibrating noise that can scare some dogs, so it's important to get your dog accustomed to the sound. There are low-noise dog nail grinders available for anxious dogs. You should also be careful not to focus the grinder on one spot for too long, as grinding generates heat.
Before you begin, make sure to trim any excess fur from your dog's paws. This helps keep their paws tidy and gives you a clear view of the nails. Hold your dog’s paw firmly, but gently, and use your thumb to push the nail out of the pad so that it is extended. Only grind the tip of the nail, straight across. Avoid grinding past the curve of the nail, as this could cause bleeding and discomfort.
If your dog has dark nails, go slowly and repeatedly check for signs of the quick. Shine a bright light through the claw toward your face and stop cutting when you see a black spot called the pulp.
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Frequently asked questions
Most dogs need their nails trimmed about once a month. Dogs that walk a lot on hard surfaces may need their nails cut less often, as the rough surface can help file the nail. Dogs that are less active or spend little time on hard surfaces may need trims more frequently, such as every three weeks.
There are two main varieties of dog nail clippers: guillotine style and scissor style. Scissor-style clippers are better for small dogs. You may need to experiment with several clipper styles to find the one that works best for you and your dog.
The quick is a cuticle inside the dog's nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and cause bleeding. If your dog has light-coloured nails, the quick will appear as a darker, pinkish section. In this case, cut 2-3mm away from the quick. If your dog has dark nails, cut very small bits of the nail at a time and look for a black dot in the centre of the nail. Once the dot appears, you've reached the quick and should stop cutting.
