Everything You Need to Know About Nail Trims

Your pet probably doesn't like getting their nails clipped. Let's get into why this might be the case.

Most likely some time in your pets life, their nails were trimmed and the "quick" was cut by accident. This can happen with even highly skilled groomers. The quick is a nerve inside your pets nail, it is not supposed to be messed with, just like human nerves. Remember when you stubbed your toe or hit your funny bone in just the wrong spot? You may not have even bled, that was just a bump! Some clients have told me that their pets quick has never be cut or bled, this can also be the case. Even if your pets nails have been trimmed without injury, trimming can still hurt. When nails are cut, the nail clippers If not used correctly or If they are not sharp enough can squeeze that nerve and that pressure Is painful. Their nails can also split or crack which may require medical attention.

I feel Its important to understand all this because your pet doesn't need to be held down or yelled at, what they need is patience, sympathy and encouragement. Also treats can help for sure.

What can you do to help?

I have several pets that I groom that have gone from barking and growling and trying to bite me to a small whine or the occasional pull away when trimming nails. This was all from building trust, frequent grooming appointments and desensitizing.

Desensitizing?

This is a process of relieving sensitivity of an area of your pets body. In this case their feet and nails. This can be done by touching their feet, toes and nails, using the nail clippers not on them but near them. This is to help with the noise so it becomes less and less triggering. Even hearing the noise of the clippers can create a reaction if the anxiety is bad enough. Yes this is going to bother them at first so it should be done in short bursts a couple times a day. Remember, you're not actually cutting the nail!

I Want to Trim My Own Dogs Nails

Short response: Don't do it. You will likely hurt and traumatize your pet. Theres a learning curve to everything and you don't want your pet to go through your learning curve.

Secondly: Your dogs nails may not even need it! When they run outside or go on walks their nails get naturally filed down, especially the back nails!

However, I do think it's great when pet parents want to take grooming into their own hands. Brushing, eye trimming, ear cleaning are all great things you can do at home If done safely. If you are confident you are not going to hurt them and educated enough you have every right. It's important to remember even experienced groomers if given the wrong circumstances can injure a pet. Some pets once the trust is broken need time to recover and build it again. It's up to you if you want to risk that.

Nail Trimming DIY

Some advice I will give for those that choose this path, never hold down your dog, get the proper equipment, and start off by trimming the smallest piece of nail possible off.

First things first! You probably are desperate to get your pets nails short because you love to play with them and when they jump all over you in excitement. But.. are now cutting up your legs and arms in the process. Unfortunately pets have nails so they can dig and grip things, I kinda wish they were just stuffed animals come to life sometimes. At the end of the day, they need their nails and they can only be cut so short. A dogs nail is overgrown if when their foot is on a flat surface, the nail touches the ground. All dogs are different and have different genetics so they have different types of nails, some are just naturally long. The nail quick can recede further back with more frequent trims so the nail can be cut shorter.

White nails, look for the nerve its pink and then will turn white at the end. Do not cut where it ends cut a few centimeters after that point. The quick goes to a point and becomes less visible. Black nails, if the dogs nail isn't starting to curl don't cut them, file only(see below). If the end is curling cut TINY pieces off while looking at the very bottom where you are cutting. Do this until you see a little black dot, thats the quick, stop right there!

Nail Grinding/Filing

For the best option for dealing with sharp scratchy nails, I would turn to nail grinding. This is filing of the nail which creates a smoother surface less likely to scratch. To do this your dog will have to get used to the loud noise and vibration of the tool. With frequent appointments this may be possible however it's much more likely if you, the owner does desensitizing of this tool at home. It's very difficult to harm a dog with a low power grinder tool specifically designed for pets, but not impossible so if you don't want to actually use it on your dog yourself thats completely fine. If you want to use it there are some things you should be aware of. If filed too much you can still hit the nail quick, you can also accidentally get the dogs hair sucked into the tool. This is especially important to get a grinder that has an automatic stop. Again, if you are confident and educated I encourage at home grooming. Good Luck!