A dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly. Nails left to grow too long can cause discomfort when your dog is walking, can curl and grow back into your dog’s foot pads, and can get snagged and break causing pain. They should be trimmed every 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly they grow.

Before attempting to cut your dog’s nails, it is important to understand the anatomy of the nail and ensure you have the proper equipment.

Inside each of your dog’s nails there is a blood vessel, also called the “quick”.  If you cut the nail too short, thereby cutting the blood vessel, there will be discomfort and some bleeding. If your dog has clear or light coloured nails, you should be able to see the pink quick inside the nail which makes nail cutting much easier. However, if your dog has black nails, it is difficult to know where the quick is. If this is the case, it is best to consult your groomer or veterinarian for assistance before cutting your dog’s nails for the first time.

There are two different styles of nail trimmers for dogs. One looks similar to a pair of rounded tip scissors and the other looks like a mini guillotine in which you place your dog’s nail through a hole and the blade slices down on the nail. You should choose the style that you are most comfortable with or ask a professional for their advice.

Along with the nail trimmers, you will need something to stop any bleeding in the event that you accidentally cut a nail too short. You can buy styptic powder, sold in pet stores specifically to stop nail bleeding, or simply use cornstarch or flour. Pressing the powder repeatedly onto the end of the nail using a facial tissue will stop the bleeding.

If your dog is not used to having his nails trimmed, you may need to take a few days or weeks getting him accustomed to having his feet handled before starting to actually cut the nails.

Once you are ready to trim your dog’s nails, be sure your dog is in a calm and quiet mood. You may need a helper to hold your dog still. Hold the paw you are going to be clipping in one hand and the nail clippers in the other hand. Be sure to stabilize each toe between your fingers while clipping the nail to ensure it does not move and cause you to clip off more than you wanted.

Make sure you only cut off the tips of each nail; you can always cut off more if needed. The safest angle to cut is at a right angle to the nail, from the point where the nail curves down.  Do not forget the dewclaws (the fifth toe nail on the inside of the dogs leg) if your dog has them. They are the most prone to becoming overgrown since they do not touch the ground and do not get worn down naturally.

Be careful if your dog’s nails are very long since the quick might be long as well.

It is worth repeating that if you are not comfortable trimming your dog’s nails, speak with your veterinarian at Centrepointe Animal Hospital or groomer before you start. Take the time to acquire the correct tools and skills. Once you and your dog become accustomed to the nail trimming procedure, it will be quick and painless.