Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

by Bill Mutter

An important part of caring for your dog is nail trimming. Nails should be cut periodically so that they just clear the floor. As a rule of thumb, if you hear a “click-click” noise when your dog walks across your floor, then your dog’s nails are to long. If allowed to grow too long, they may cause the dog’s foot to splay or spread and eventually damage the dog’s pasterns. Extremely long nails can also curve around and back into the dog’s skin or pads.

Dogs are “toe-walkers”, that is they actually walk on the front part, or toes, of their feet. This is compared to a human using only the front part, from the ball of the foot forward, to walk. Having too long of nails can force the dog to walk back on its foot, stressing its pasterns (or back of lower leg), eventually causing permanent damage. To get at sense of how a dog feels with too long nails, try walking across a room, by walking using ONLY the heels of your feet, with the rest of your foot raised off the floor.

Ordinary scissors should not be used to cut dogs’ nails as they can split the nails. Specially designed nail trimmers can be purchased at pet supply stores.

Hold your dog’s paw gently but firmly to prevent the dog from jerking its foot while you attempt to cut the nails.

The cut should be made just outside the pink blood vessel that can be seen on white nails. On pigmented nails, the cut should be judged by noting the curvature of the underside of the nail. Only the hook like projection is to be removed.

Have some styptic (blood stop) powder on hand (also available at pet supply stores) in case you nick the blood vessel while trimming a nail. If you nick the blood vessel, don’t be disturbed by the blood that comes out, it’s not serious and tends to look worse than it really is! (Although your dog may not agree with you!)

Don’t worry if your dog’s nails are still too long after you’ve trimmed them. Try again after about a week. The blood vessel in the nail will retreat a bit after each trimming. Frequency of cutting depends upon the type and amount of exercise the dog receives and the type of surface upon which it walks. Usually once every two months is adequate.

Should you have difficulty or questions consult your veterinarian or see your dog’s groomer.

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