Getting Your Pet Dog's Nails Trimmed

Just like you, your pet dogs need to have their nails trimmed or cut short to be able to feel comfortable, not impede walking and also not to scratch the surface of your floors. It is also a good idea to have another person help you since trimming your canine friends nails needs both of your hands. The other person helps by holding him. Since not all dogs like their nails trimmed it may be a good idea to a professional person do this for a small fee.

Trimmers

What you need is a good set of nail trimmers and its is easy finding one in any pet shop since there is a huge selection of different kinds of nails tools for your dog. There are different types and must be studied carefully to see if it is appropriate for your dog and if you comfortable handling it and using it on your dog. It is also important to have some styptic powder or some corns starch to the bleeding if you accidentally cut the nails too short. Be sure to also have some treats on hand to distract your dog too.

Instruction

Lifting your dogs feet to see if your dog is comfortable with you holding his feet and later on trimming the nails. If you feel that he is already at ease then it is a sure sign that he is willing for you to start trimming. It is better to trim nails while you, your assistant and the dog are in the floor. It is also important to remember not to twist his foot too much which would agitate him and not trust yo to do it again in the future.

Some dogs have lightly toned nails. This makes it easier to see the middle part called the “quick” and cutting part of that quick. Cutting or trimming a part of the quick is very painful and must be avoided. If he has dark colored or black nails, its is important to remember trim only a small portion of the tip so as not to cut the quick since it will be difficult to differentiate it from the rest of the nail.

Sometimes accidents happen or maybe the dog jerked away from and you accidentally cut the quick. It is important to note to apply some moderate pressure at the end of the nail or the tip or holding the paw and place some styptic powder or corn starch on it. It would be wise to keep your dog calm so that he doesn't run around and further injure his nail.

Mark Perissinotto has been a practicing veterinarian for over 20 years, 14 years of which he was the owner and principal of a busy multi-vet mixed animal hospital. One of the two co-founders of Vet Shop Australia, graduated from the University of Queensland with Bachelor of Veterinary Science and one of the best retailer of pet supplies Australia.