Trimming Dog Nails: Everything You Need to Know About the Procedure

Although it may seem like a little chore, trimming your dog’s nails is crucial to their comfort and well-being. In addition to causing discomfort, overgrown nails can also harm your dog’s posture. Even though it could seem a little scary to pet owners, anyone can learn how to do it with the correct resources and a little perseverance.

While some dogs are more laid back when it comes to having their nails clipped, being aware of the procedure can help the two of you have a more positive experience. It all comes down to timing, quantity, and handling your dog’s calmness during the process.

We’ll cover all you need to know about dog nail trimming in this guide, including the best methods, supplies to have on hand, and ways to keep your pet comfortable. This article covers everything, whether you’re a beginner or just need a refresher.

The Importance of the Procedure

It is difficult to overstate how important nail trimming is for dogs, as it has an impact not only on appearance but also on the pet’s physical health and joint and muscle development. Dogs with long nails find it difficult to walk because their paw positions are disrupted.

The dog’s gait is disrupted and its joints eventually become curved when the fingers are unable to come together.

Anatomy of Dog Nails

1. Curved, similar to a cat"s, with a sharp edge.
2. Arc-shaped, slightly curved inward.
3. Straight or "hare".

Small decorative dogs typically have straight nails.

However, the internal structure of every dog is the same, regardless of the shape of the claw:

• The outer shell is called the keratin sheath – this is the visible part of the claw. The keratin sheath grows constantly and it is this that needs to be trimmed.
• The inner part is the nail bed. A blood vessel passes through the bed, so the tips must be trimmed very carefully so as not to touch the blood vessel and nerve endings.

Depending on how frequently the claws are cut, the blood vessel gets longer or shorter; the deeper the vessel gets, the more often the vessel is trimmed. The subsequent trimming procedures are safer and much simpler to perform.

A dog’s claw should normally be 2 to 8 mm off the ground. Anything longer makes the pet uncomfortable and may lead to different joint or claw diseases.

The claw will typically be light and the blood vessel visible if the dog has a light complexion. Since the cut line is clearly visible, trimming in this instance is both convenient and safe. To avoid damaging the extremely delicate tissue and causing bleeding, the claw should be cut more gently and gradually if it is dark and the blood vessel is not visible.

Items necessary for the care of claws

You’ll need to buy some tools, such as haircut scissors, if the owner feels competent enough to perform the clatter trim process on his own. These implements, known as "claws," come in two varieties:

1. Type "Sekator" – They look like ordinary scissors, but are distinguished by a strong, preferably rubberized, handle and structure of the blades: one of the blades of the claw -round claws.
2. "Guillotine". The blade in such a clawerza is one – in the form of a lever that cuts off a claw like a guillotine.

The guillotine and secondary coach vary in size based on the breed of dog; it is evident that a tool designed for a Yorkshire Terrier will break under the German shepherd’s first claw. Regarding the guillotine, the diameter of the claw hole varies based on the size of the dog and, consequently, the size of the claw.

The dog owner will decide which tool is best for them—the one that is easier to use and grasp in the hand. However, both types are similar in a few ways:

• The material of the tool must be brass or steel, otherwise the blades will quickly rust and can introduce an infection into the claw during the procedure.
• The fastening must be strong, this criterion is especially important for owners of large dogs and dogs with very strong nail plates.
• The handles of the claw cutter must be rubberized – so that the tool fits comfortably in the hand and the procedure can be carried out faster.

You will also need a file in addition to the claw cutter itself. An electric file is ideal as it can process the cut of the claw more quickly, but a regular file will work just as well.

Apart from the tools needed to perform the surgery, you should always have some way to halt the bleeding in the event that a vessel within the claw is injured.

Step-by-step instructions for trimming claws at home

Now that the instruments and medications to halt any bleeding have been purchased, where should the manipulation begin?

It is preferable to first get in touch with a veterinary clinic if this is the dog owner’s first time doing the procedure and they are unsure about their ability to trim the claws properly. The vet will demonstrate how to hold the instrument and cut the claw.

Preparation

Walking and feeding the dog prior to the trimming procedure is recommended. It is ideal for the dog to be exhausted after the walk, particularly if the dog is anxious.

Claw trimming should only be done in a comfortable and relaxed environment with the dog.

Talking to the dog and soothing it down will help prevent it from becoming agitated and from inadvertently hurting itself by pulling on its paw during the manipulation. If the dog flatly refuses to give its paw, you will need to progressively acclimate it to the process. You can do this by petting it on the paw, chatting to it, and offering it a treat if it does not take its paw out from under your hand. You must gradually take the paw in your hand, stroke it, and touch each finger individually.

Many dogs have extremely sensitive toes; the dog may feel ticklish and will automatically pull out its paw due to the presence of nerve endings in these areas.

Naturally, the best time to acclimate a puppy to cosmetic procedures is when they are still young. Puppies view manipulations much more calmly than adults do, and as adults, they too perceive procedures calmly.

Clot cutting

Grasping the dog’s paw with one hand in a way that is comfortable for both the animal and the human, you must gently press one finger inward without applying pressure to avoid injuring the animal.

The claw needs to be cut at a 45-degree angle to the blood vessel’s edge. You must carefully and gradually cut the claw upward if the vessel is not visible. The dark claws need to be pruned by about half a centimeter. However, you must inspect the cut to make sure the pruning has not stopped or if the tip of the claw is wet. Should the claw spread further, it indicates a deeper vessel, which can be treated with a file or further cutting of the claws.

Every finger is processed in this manner. Remember to take care of the fifth finger, which is the most primitive. It is typically longer than the others because it is not worn down or utilized while walking. If you don’t remove it, this claw may grow in or break off and strike something by accident. For a dog, breaking off a claw can cause excruciating pain, bleeding, and wound infection.

It is preferable to begin treating the claws on the front paws and work your way up to the other claws. To ensure that the process leaves the dog with only positive impressions, you must praise and reward the pet after each finger when it behaves calmly and does not pull out its paw.

Treatment and prevention of wounds

However, you must act quickly to stop the bleeding if, while trimming the claws, a vessel is touched.

1. A special hemostatic powder can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy, which must be rubbed in until the bleeding stops.
2. But you can also get by with conventional means: treat the bleeding wound with hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide quickly and effectively stops bleeding.
3. After the bleeding has stopped, the wound is treated with an antiseptic – a chlorhexidine solution is perfect for this purpose: you can wash the wound with it and get rid of possible infection.
4. If the bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes or more, the wound may be deeper or the dog has health problems – in this case, you need to urgently take the dog to the veterinarian.
5. After the bleeding has stopped and the wound has been washed, you can apply a bandage. It is advisable to put any wound-healing ointment under the bandage – for example, mekol (or levomekol). To prevent the dog from tearing the bandage and licking the wound, you can put on a special veterinary cap.

The dog’s behavior can reveal the extent of the wound; if it is not standing on its paw at all, it may be necessary to seek veterinary assistance as one treatment for the injured claw may not be sufficient.

Tips and warnings

Claw cutting is a crucial procedure. If you don’t trim your claws, they will grow back indefinitely and hurt your dog and its owners.

Not all dogs can wear down their claws on a walk; many decorative breeds are only outdoors for brief periods of time and on surfaces that do not naturally wear down claws. Of course, large or medium-sized dog breeds can also experience issues with overgrown claws. Decorative breeds are not the only ones that face this issue.

When a claw is trimmed too soon, a dog may be at risk for:

• Disruption of joint development;
• Cause irreversible changes in the position of the paw;
• Change in gait;
• Cause constant pain.

A slowly developing claw may turn inward, inflaming and infecting the wound, endangering the pet’s life. Only a veterinarian can treat an ingrown claw, which causes excruciating pain, by operating to remove the ingrown claw.

It’s easy to know when to clip a dog’s claws; as soon as you hear the claws "click" around the house, it’s time to get the claw clipper out.

You should call the veterinarian if the dog is extremely frightened about the process of trimming its claws, becomes agitated, and won’t even let you remove its paw. The dog will receive a sedative at the clinic, where the trimming will be done precisely and swiftly.

How much can be cut (video)

Praise and reward for patience

Make sure to prepare a treat for the dog as well as the tools needed for the procedure. Thus, the manipulation will only be connected to positive perceptions.

Even if the dog became afraid when its owner touched a vessel, you should still calm the animal down by giving it a gentle pat and using a soothing voice. Give the dog a treat and some praise once it has calmed down. The owner is the best person to perform the procedure and calm the dog.

Praise and a treat ought to accompany each manipulation performed with a single finger.

What to choose – trim or file the claws

Using an electric file is an additional treatment choice for claws. The file used to process a dog’s nail and the file used to process a human nail are identical.

An electric file is a tool that rapidly rotates replacement heads to grind down the nail. A file is far less painful than a nail clipper, but processing time is longer than with scissors.

In any case, to prevent the freshly cut nail from delaminating, you must file its sharp edge—even if you’re using a nail clipper.

Claw diseases in dogs

Neglecting to properly trim a dog’s nails can result in a number of unpleasant outcomes:

• Ingrown nail. Untimely trimming or leaving the fifth finger untreated can lead to the fact that the nail bends and can grow into the pad of the finger.

As the nail grows in, the skin’s integrity is compromised, opening the door for bacteria or fungi to enter the wound and grow. The more discomfort a dog feels, the less its paw is used for walking when it is in pain and cannot stand on it.

• Inflammation of the claw bed, or panaritium. Such a state may lead to a finger injury, claw or adjacent fabrics. The inflamed area becomes hot, a bloating appears, inside which pus accumulates. Due to inflammation, body temperature may rise, the dog has a loss of appetite. An unpleasant smell may come from the dog’s paw when the abscess is opened and pus flows out.
• Cutting the claw. Also an extremely painful state. Когда коготь слишком длинный и цепляется за поверхности, при резком движении, кончик ногтя может надломиться или совсем оторваться – часто нарушая сосуд внутри когтя. Almost always the breakdown of the claw leads to severe bleeding-the dog does not stand on a paw due to severe pain.

There are situations when a dog owner can treat their own dog’s painful condition. When treating panaritium, for instance, bandages that promote healing of wounds must be applied in conjunction with antiseptic treatment using different solutions (such as chlorhexidine) in the early stages of the illness. It is important to replace bandages on a regular basis and to ensure that the pet does not take off the bandage itself. A specialized veterinary cap can be worn while the wound heals.

In the event that a claw breaks off, you should treat the wound and bandage it first. You can avoid seeking veterinary assistance if the broken claw is not too close to the pad.

On the other hand, emergency veterinary care is necessary in more severe situations, such as when the dog is unable to stand on its paw at all, refuses to be examined or treated, has an ingrown claw, or if the paw is extremely inflamed, the animal has a high body temperature, and appears generally depressed. In these kinds of situations, surgery will probably be required, preferably under anesthesia and in sterile settings.

What You Need	Why It"s Important
Nail Clippers or Grinder	Helps trim nails smoothly and avoid injury.
Styptic Powder	Stops bleeding if you cut too close to the quick.
Calm Environment	Reduces anxiety and helps keep your dog still.
Gentle Restraint	Prevents sudden movements that could cause accidents.
Treats or Rewards	Encourages good behavior and helps the dog associate trimming with positive experiences.

Maintaining the health and comfort of your dog depends in large part on regular nail cutting. You can prevent painful overgrown nails, lower your dog’s risk of injury, and ensure that your dog walks comfortably by keeping up with this basic grooming routine.

It’s normal to be nervous about trimming your dog’s nails at first, but it becomes easier with practice, patience, and the right tools. Please don’t hesitate to seek assistance from a professional groomer or your veterinarian if you’re still unsure.

Nail trimming can be a more pleasant and stress-free experience for both of you if you take the time to learn about your dog’s needs and make sure they’re calm throughout.

Maintaining your dog’s comfort and well-being requires regular nail trimming. Infections, pain, and altered gait can all result from having long nails. Even though it seems difficult, you can easily complete the task at home with the correct equipment and a little perseverance. This guide will explain when and how to safely trim your dog’s nails, along with helpful hints to make the process go more smoothly for both of you and your pet.

Video on the topic

How to and NOT to trim the claws of an active dog

a very important procedure for #husky, trim the fur on the paws and claws

Are you trimming your pet"s claws correctly?

Clot of claws Life hack

Clogging of claws in dogs at home // #greetings

📝🐕🐾 How to cut the dog claws?

How to cut your claws with a dog & haircuts of claws in a dog. Vetclinic Bio-light

How to cut your claws? / How to Trim a Dog"s Nails?