Nail trimming is an unavoidable exercise that dreads both dogs and dog parents equally. You will never want to hurt your fur baby and the sight of nail trimmers does not usually please canines. But then, keeping your dog’s nails in shape does not have just aesthetic importance. This process also helps protect your furry companion from injuries and other health problems. While taking the help of a professional groomer or a veterinarian is easy, cutting dog nails at home is also not as difficult as you may think. So, how to safely trim dog nails at home without freaking out your furry buddy? Let us help.

Keep reading to learn about dog nails, the importance of nail trimming, the tools required for cutting dog nails, and a step-wise guide to cut dog nails at home.  

The structure of dog nails

To cut your dog’s nails without hurting them, understand their nail structure first. Unlike human nails which are flat, dog nails are curved and oval-shaped. A dog nail is divided into two parts: The toenail and the ‘quick’. A toenail or outer shell is made of keratin and attaches to the paw at the nail bed. The toenail covers the ‘quick’- a sensitive and alive part of the nail that consists of blood vessels and is usually pink in colour. In clear nails, the quick is easily visible, whereas identifying it in black nails is comparatively difficult. While cutting your dog’s nails, stop when you get close to the quick as it can lead to bleeding.

Dog nail structure

Why trim dog nails?

Your dog’s nails need trimming for several reasons:

• Nails give traction to your furry friend and make their moves comfortable on slippery surfaces. Overgrown nails make walking or jumping difficult and hurtful for them as they can slip and fall due to poor grip.
• Long, uncut nails put extra pressure on your pooch’s feet and legs and cause pain. As they shift their weight unnaturally to avoid pain, these troubled movements can lead to joint issues and arthritis in your dog in the long run.
• Dirt and bacteria can get accumulated in the overgrown nails leading to infections, and can thus affect your dog’s overall health.

How to cut dog nails at home

To keep your dog’s nails clean and healthy, it is required to trim them regularly. The nails of active dogs wear to an extent due to frequent contact with rough surfaces. But for indoor dogs, regular nail trimming is essential. Here is a step-wise guide to cut your doggo’s nails at home without stressing them or yourself:

1. Gather necessary tools

First, gather all the tools you will need for nail trimming. Check out this list so that you do not miss out on anything:

- Nail clipper: Select a nail clipper that suits your dog’s size the best. For your large-sized dog, use a guillotine-style clipper that has a closed hole to insert your dog’s claw in it and is the safest nail trimming option. If you have a puppy or a small dog, use a scissor-type clipper which is easier to use and is also the best option to trim the dewclaw. You can also select a nail grinder which grinds nails slowly and helps avoid accidental deep cuts. Also, get a nail clipper that has a sharp blade as a dull cutter can take more time to cut the nails. Besides, a dull blade requires you to put in more pressure that can injure and hurt your fur baby.

- Treats & toys: No matter how calm your pooch is, nail trimming can be stressful for them. Keep a generous amount of lickable treats and treat toys with you to keep your dog distracted and calm while you are cutting their nails.

- Styptic powder: However careful you are, accidents can happen. If you accidentally cut deep and hurt your dog’s quick, you need to stop the bleeding. Have styptic powder or cornstarch with you to stop the bleeding.

2. Desensitise your dog

To start with, select a well-lit and calm area for the nail trimming session and make your dog sit with you comfortably. Put the nail clipper down and let your dog sniff and touch it. When they stay calm, reward them with a treat. It is advisable to start nail trimming when your dog is young as it can help them be familiar with the process. But for older dogs too, this training is not impossible. Just keep calm and go slow to help your furry companion stay stress-free.

3. Hold the toe

Hold your dog’s paw in your hand and gently push back the fur surrounding the toe. If your dog tries to take back their paw, do not get aggressive or scold them. Have patience as not all dogs are comfortable with getting their paws handled. Make the grip firm to keep the toe steady but gentle enough to not cause discomfort to your fur buddy.

4. Cut the nails

Take the nail clipper and slowly start cutting your dog’s nails. Cut a small portion of a nail at a time. Be vigilant and stop cutting the nail further once you see the quick. Though there is no set rule for an ideal nail length, it is safe to cut the nails only to the length where they do not touch the floor. Cutting them too short can cause bleeding and lead to infections.

5. Reward with treats

Once you have successfully cut your pooch’s nails, pat them and reward them with a high-value treat for being calm and cooperative. You can also team up with a friend or family member who can keep your dog distracted with treats and help keep them calm while you do the trimming. Treats help dogs develop a positive approach towards nail trimming.

6. Keep it short

Do not rush the process. If your pooch tries to get away from you or shows signs of stress like yawning or shaking, stop immediately. Continue the process on another day. If required, cut one nail a day. Keep the sessions short as far as possible to avoid causing trouble to your dog.

7. Trim regularly

How often you should cut your furry companion’s nails depends on their nail condition and lifestyle. But it is good to trim their nails every 3-4 weeks. With regular trimming, the quick recedes naturally and makes the trimming easier. Additionally, it helps save your beloved pooch from adverse health impacts that overgrown nails can cause in the long run.

8. Handle the accidents

Even if you take great care, accidents can happen. If you cut your dog’s nail deeply which causes bleeding, do not panic. Cover the wound with styptic powder or cornstarch and press it with your finger. Hold the pressure till the bleeding stops and offer treats to your dog to distract them.

9. Take help

If it is too stressful for you or if your dog is hyperactive or too sensitive with their paws, avoid cutting their nails at home. You can take the help of a veterinarian or a professional groomer to trim your dog’s nails.

Wrapping up

Trimmed nails are necessary for your dog to walk safely and avoid injuries and other health problems. With patience and appropriate tools, it is easy to trim your furry companion’s nails at home. Follow the steps mentioned in this article to trim your furry family member’s nails safely and regularly. However, you can always contact our expert veterinarian if you need help or guidance for giving your doggo a stress-free and safe nail-trimming experience.