A dog's toenails naturally wear down on their own to some extent through activity, but it is still necessary to get them trimmed occasionally for the animal's comfort and safety. It's a procedure which must be done with care and patience so the dog will not get injured or upset. By following these basic guidelines, Marlton, NJ dog owners will be able to successfully master dog nail clipping without problems.
Most canine companions are a bit nervous when it comes to having their feet handled and nails clipped. It can be very effective to not only cuddle and talk soothingly to the dog, but to also get him or her to associate this procedure with a worthwhile reward such as a tasty treat or playing a favorite game. Starting by trimming only one nail at time is recommended.
Two types of toenail clippers for dogs are commonly sold on the market, the scissors style and guillotine style. Some people may be more comfortable working with one kind over the other. If buying for the first time, a dog groomer, vet, or sales associate at a pet supply store can likely recommend a good set of clippers. Before the clipping session, one should ensure that the dog is sufficiently exercised, as it is more likely to cooperate.
Purchasing a styptic stick or powder is also important, as this compound works to stop bleeding in the event one trims the nails too close to the quick. The cutting technique depends on the type of clippers used. With scissors style, nails need to be inserted at a right angle, and with the guillotine style, the clipper must be positioned perpendicularly to the nail and cut from top to bottom.
Before attempting to cut the animal's toenails, one must first identify the quicks since these contain blood vessels and can result in hemorrhaging if nicked. Clear or light nails allow one to visualize the quick as a pinkish area, but dark ones are trickier, so shining a flashlight behind the nails is recommended as this illuminates the pinkish quicks. Two millimeters from the quick is considered a safe length.
If the dog moves suddenly, one may accidentally cut into the quick and the toenail will bleed. Should this occur, it's important to act fact and apply pressure by holding a cotton ball over the nail, then dab some of the styptic compound on it. Talking in a calming manner to the dog is also advisable as it will likely be frightened.
Some owners prefer to avoid clippers altogether and use another tool known as a "Dremel", which is a special sander designed for the purpose of filing canine toenails. This method not only keeps the nails an acceptable length, but it also makes them smooth. One must still avoid contact with the quicks when using a Dremel however.
Another alternative to clipping a dog's nails oneself is to take the animal to have this done at a veterinarian's office or dog grooming service. These professionals know how to safely perform this procedure, but some animals will get even more upset because of the unfamiliar setting making it a better choice to carry out this task at home.
Most canine companions are a bit nervous when it comes to having their feet handled and nails clipped. It can be very effective to not only cuddle and talk soothingly to the dog, but to also get him or her to associate this procedure with a worthwhile reward such as a tasty treat or playing a favorite game. Starting by trimming only one nail at time is recommended.
Two types of toenail clippers for dogs are commonly sold on the market, the scissors style and guillotine style. Some people may be more comfortable working with one kind over the other. If buying for the first time, a dog groomer, vet, or sales associate at a pet supply store can likely recommend a good set of clippers. Before the clipping session, one should ensure that the dog is sufficiently exercised, as it is more likely to cooperate.
Purchasing a styptic stick or powder is also important, as this compound works to stop bleeding in the event one trims the nails too close to the quick. The cutting technique depends on the type of clippers used. With scissors style, nails need to be inserted at a right angle, and with the guillotine style, the clipper must be positioned perpendicularly to the nail and cut from top to bottom.
Before attempting to cut the animal's toenails, one must first identify the quicks since these contain blood vessels and can result in hemorrhaging if nicked. Clear or light nails allow one to visualize the quick as a pinkish area, but dark ones are trickier, so shining a flashlight behind the nails is recommended as this illuminates the pinkish quicks. Two millimeters from the quick is considered a safe length.
If the dog moves suddenly, one may accidentally cut into the quick and the toenail will bleed. Should this occur, it's important to act fact and apply pressure by holding a cotton ball over the nail, then dab some of the styptic compound on it. Talking in a calming manner to the dog is also advisable as it will likely be frightened.
Some owners prefer to avoid clippers altogether and use another tool known as a "Dremel", which is a special sander designed for the purpose of filing canine toenails. This method not only keeps the nails an acceptable length, but it also makes them smooth. One must still avoid contact with the quicks when using a Dremel however.
Another alternative to clipping a dog's nails oneself is to take the animal to have this done at a veterinarian's office or dog grooming service. These professionals know how to safely perform this procedure, but some animals will get even more upset because of the unfamiliar setting making it a better choice to carry out this task at home.
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