Do just one nail at first, then take a break, do subsequent nails in further sessions, gradually start working back to where the nails need to be cut, farther away from the tip. Provide a distraction like a chew toy or food while clipping nails. Instead of clipping all nails in one session, try clipping one nail a day.
In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Since your dog is likely not running around in the wilderness all day, you may need to walk them on concrete to help keep their nails at a reasonable length.
A dog's nails can be cut by clipping or grinding just 1/16th off. A dog's nail has two parts: the outer nail and the inner quick. You can make nail trimming easier by acclimating your dog to it as a puppy. If your dog is too stressed by nail trims, go to a professional.
If you look at your dog's black nail from underneath you should see a lighter, grey fleshy area. You don't want to cut that you want to cut the open groove part (shell) of the nail. If your dog doesn't have the open groove part, you want to slowly trim away until you see a dark grey dot inside the nail.
Do just one nail at first, then take a break, do subsequent nails in further sessions, gradually start working back to where the nails need to be cut, farther away from the tip. Provide a distraction like a chew toy or food while clipping nails. Instead of clipping all nails in one session, try clipping one nail a day.
Overgrown nails are painful and can affect your pup's mobility. Clipping your dog's nails prevents infections, tell-tale signs of which are a bad smell and pus. Causes of nail infections include split nails or a nail torn off, exposing the quick. Regular weekly trims will cause the quick to recede and fix the issue.
As explained by the American Kennel Club (AKC), overgrown dog nails can cause discomfort and health issues. When nails are long enough to tap-tap-tap along the floor, they may cause the toes to splay and put uncomfortable pressure on the foot and leg structure.
Unless there is a medical reason not to sedate your dog, your vet should be able to do a sedated trim. Being sedated should make the nail trim process less traumatic for your pup.
Nail grinders get the job done in a fraction of the time it takes clippers. You can also round off the tip of the nail with much more precision. Once the super efficient grinding heads wear down, they are easy to replace. Once clippers have dulled, most people toss them out and have to buy another pair.
Gabapentin is a medication that can be used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. It's a common dog sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. Gabapentin is generally considered safe in healthy pets, with minimal side effects.
Pain is the main reason that dogs hate nail trims. If your dog has ever been cut too close, even once, he will remember it. Nature provides pain as a protection and if something hurts, an animal must learn to avoid, and even fight it. This is a survival instinct.
Dogs' nails need regular care, just like ours. Unless your dog spends a lot of time outside on hard or rough terrain (which will naturally keep a dog's nails short), you'll have to cut them regularly.
Just like human nails, dogs do not have any feeling in the nail itself, but the quick contains a nerve that transmits sensations back to the brain. When trimming the nail, it is important to stay far enough from the quick to avoid causing pain or drawing blood.
The cutting blade should be closest to you, not the dog. Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. Nails should be cut from underneath at a 45-degree angle.
Correct length for a dog's nails. If a dog's nails are too long, you will hear them clack when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Deciding if your dog's nails are too long is quite simple. The claws should not protrude over the pad and should not touch the ground when standing.
Nails that are too long can cause a dog to slip and fall more easily. Long nails cause a dog to place their feet differently, in a “plantigrade” position. In other words the nails “push” the dogs toes up and the “heel” comes down to balance, placing strain on the muscles and ligaments in the legs.
Use dog-specific nail clippers, which you can buy from a vet or pet shop. If you have a nervous dog, you might want to try using a file. You need to hold the paw firmly yet gently. This can be quite stressful for some dogs, so ensure you are taking great care and stop if your dog is getting upset.
Try to calm your dog by talking to them using a calm and soothing voice, and giving them praise and rewards. But, if your dog seems way too anxious or nervous about having their nails trimmed, you should talk with your vet about using a calming medicine.
Take care to avoid the quick , which is the vein that runs into the nail. If you accidentally cut into the quick, causing bleeding, apply some styptic powder to stop bleeding.
Generally, your dog's nails shouldn't touch the ground when he's standing upright on all four feet. There is no hard and fast rule as to how far from the floor those nails should be; it varies from dog to dog. If the nails click on the floor, they are usually too long.