Grooming your dog on a regular basis will help keep him in great shape. Every dog owner wants the best for their pet, so to ensure a healthy, happy companion, maintenance tasks are performed on a regular basis, or as required. One such task is dog nail clipping. Many owners are content to do this job themselves, but if unsure it is best to seek the help of a dog groomer or vet in Marlton, NJ. Clipping your dog's nails does require some basic knowledge, as outlined below.
Claws that have been left uncut often grow curled. While this might not always be a problem, some dogs will find it too uncomfortable to walk as a result, due to the added pressure upon the toes, and if they end up piercing into the paw pad, your dog could suffer from pain and even infection. Another side effect is that the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves, called the quick, will grow, making the nail difficult to clip properly.
There are two basic types of nail trimmers; the standard scissors type, and the guillotine type, which is the easier of the two to use. The guillotine trimmer has a stationary ring where the nail is placed and cut as the blade moves up. The scissors trimmer is best used to shorten curved nails. Place it at right angle to the nail and squeeze the handles to cut.
The nail should be cut at a distance of about 2 mm away from the quick. The quick is generally more visible on lighter colored nails, and so are easier to cut. Nail color may differ from one nail to the next, and each nail tends to be the same color as the skin and hair around it.
It is recommended to make several small cuts if the quick is difficult to see, starting from the tip of the claw. Stop cutting when a gray to pink oval begins to appear on the cut surface of the nail. Generally, the claws on the front feet need to be trimmed more often than the ones on the rear feet as they are longer. The final step is to file the nail, smoothing the cut surface. Always ensure you use a sharp trimmer for a cleaner cut.
The trimmer blade should always be facing toward you, not your pet, so the quick isn't cut into. If cut it will result in bleeding and pain for your dog, so always be careful. However, if there is an accident, the bleeding should stop on its own after a few minutes.
Dew claws are vestigial claws that are found on the paw's inner side. These claws may grow long and dig into the toe-pad if left unclipped. Use a guillotine style clipper to cut these as they are easily moved into position. Any dew claws on the inner paw surface can also be trimmed.
Clipping your dog's claws is something you can successfully do yourself, with a little time and patience, and the right equipment. Alternatively, there are many good vets or dog groomers in Marlton, NJ who can do it for you. Either way, your dog will be happier because of it and will thank you for it.
Claws that have been left uncut often grow curled. While this might not always be a problem, some dogs will find it too uncomfortable to walk as a result, due to the added pressure upon the toes, and if they end up piercing into the paw pad, your dog could suffer from pain and even infection. Another side effect is that the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves, called the quick, will grow, making the nail difficult to clip properly.
There are two basic types of nail trimmers; the standard scissors type, and the guillotine type, which is the easier of the two to use. The guillotine trimmer has a stationary ring where the nail is placed and cut as the blade moves up. The scissors trimmer is best used to shorten curved nails. Place it at right angle to the nail and squeeze the handles to cut.
The nail should be cut at a distance of about 2 mm away from the quick. The quick is generally more visible on lighter colored nails, and so are easier to cut. Nail color may differ from one nail to the next, and each nail tends to be the same color as the skin and hair around it.
It is recommended to make several small cuts if the quick is difficult to see, starting from the tip of the claw. Stop cutting when a gray to pink oval begins to appear on the cut surface of the nail. Generally, the claws on the front feet need to be trimmed more often than the ones on the rear feet as they are longer. The final step is to file the nail, smoothing the cut surface. Always ensure you use a sharp trimmer for a cleaner cut.
The trimmer blade should always be facing toward you, not your pet, so the quick isn't cut into. If cut it will result in bleeding and pain for your dog, so always be careful. However, if there is an accident, the bleeding should stop on its own after a few minutes.
Dew claws are vestigial claws that are found on the paw's inner side. These claws may grow long and dig into the toe-pad if left unclipped. Use a guillotine style clipper to cut these as they are easily moved into position. Any dew claws on the inner paw surface can also be trimmed.
Clipping your dog's claws is something you can successfully do yourself, with a little time and patience, and the right equipment. Alternatively, there are many good vets or dog groomers in Marlton, NJ who can do it for you. Either way, your dog will be happier because of it and will thank you for it.
About the Author:
You can visit www.scrubadubdogs.net for more helpful information about Regular Dog Nail Clipping Helps Keep Your Dog Happy And Healthy.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
Niche blogs are sometimes referred to as splogs, but this is a misnomer. Even though the desired end result for the niche blogger is to make money...
Get Free Email Updates to your Inbox!
Post a Comment