Tips On Trimming Your Dogs Nails

Keeping your dogs nails trimmed is an important part of your dog's hygiene and health. Overgrown nails can grow into your dogs foot pads making walking difficult and painful. It can also lead to serious infections and costly vet bills. In addition, a dog with sharp nails will unintentionally cause injury to you or your furniture.

While some dogs don't mind having their nails trimmed other dogs find nail trimming nerve wracking and they will squirm, growl and maybe even nip if they become too afraid. The key to successfully trimming your dogs nails is to make the experience pleasurable or at least less stressful for your pet. Here are some tips that may make trimming your dogs nails easier for both you and your pet.

Get Your Dog Used To Having His Feet Handled

The first step in successfully trimming your dog's nails is to get your dog comfortable with having his feet handled. If you begin when you first get your dog as a puppy the process will be much easier. However, even a grown dog can quickly become used to having his feet handled if you are patient.

Begin by taking one paw at a time and rubbing it gently both on the top and the foot pad. Most dogs quickly become used to having their paws gently massaged and some even come to look forward to it. Once you see that your pet is relaxed when having his paws handled then start touching his nails. You may even want to pinch the tip of the nail gently between your thumb and forefinger so that your pet will see that this does not hurt. The more you handle your pets paws, the less traumatic the initial clipping will be.

Use the Right Clippers

There are different types of nail clippers made for clipping dogs nails but, the guillotine type clippers are the easiest to use and control. You simply slip the round part over the pointed tip of the nail and squeeze the handle. Keep a close eye on your pet and if he seems nervous or even slightly afraid then only clip one or two nails, give him a treat and wait until the next day.

Be Careful What and Where You Clip

When clipping your dogs nails you want to be careful. There is a vein that runs part way through the nail and if you clip the nail too far back, this will cause your dog pain and result in bleeding. If your dogs nails are white the vein will be clearly visible as a pink streak. However, in dogs with dark nails you won't see the vein at all. If this is the case, then simply trim off the sharp end first, then if the nail is curling clip off a little more of the nail to the point where the nail begins to curl. Have some cornstarch or a styptic stick in case of bleeding.

Give Treats

Giving treats to your dog after clipping the nails of one foot, will make the experience a more pleasant one for your pet and he will be more eager to co operate the next time if he knows there will be a reward at the end.