Table of Contents
How to trim dog nails correctly is a careful procedure.
When shortening your dogs’ claws, you should always bare a few things in mind. In this article, I will be writing about the right way how to trim dog nails without injuring your beloved doggos.
….
….
When should I trim my dogs’ nails?
Well, unless your dog has the privilege of playing around on hard surfaces that help keep toenails short naturally, you have to trim or clip the nails about once a week.
If it sounds like your dog is wearing high heels on a parakeet floor, it is time for a trim.
Since most dogs don’t enjoy having their feet handled in any way, it is safe to say that this will not become your favourite bonding activity.
….
However, it is a necessary procedure to ensure that your dog can stay healthy and safe.
The earlier you start teaching them, the better it will be. They will be more used to it and accepting of it.
Remember to give your dog a yummy treat and a loving hug after the procedure is over.
….
….
How to correctly trim dog nails?
….
….
….
….
As seen in the illustration above, a dog’s toenail is made up of two parts. The nail itself and the quick, (also referred to as quickening).
While they nail itself can be transparent or black, you will find that the quick is pink due to the blood flowing through it.
This provides your dog’s nail with blood.
Strongly avoid cutting it due as it can lead to quite a bit of bleeding as well as cause your canine pain, that they are sure to remember and hold against you for the next twenty years to come.
….
….
What to do if you have cut the quick?
Have you ever accidentally ripped into your nail skin and torn a little too much off? Well, it’s at least about 2 times as painful.
….
….
If you did end up cutting into the quick by accident, make sure to stop the bleeding immediately.
….
….H
It would be best to already have a damp washcloth at hand. Get rid of any excess blood with it first before applying styptic powder, which you can apply with a cotton swab.
Additionally, you can also use a nail cauterizer, which is a tool that stops bleeding by applying heat to the wound and thus preventing further blood loss.
….H
….H
How to prevent those things?
- Don’t over do it. Your dog will probably not like this one bit, but don’t push them over the edge. They love and trust you greatly, so it is best not to take advantage of that by forcing them to go through the same procedure over and over again.
- Consult a veterinarian. Before beginning to trim your dogs’ nails by yourself, meet up with your trusted vet. They will show you the correct way how to cut dog nails without an issue.
- Gently, but firmly hold your dogs’ paw. Try not to apply too much pressure on them both physically and emotionally. This may not have the desired effect and instead will make your dog more nervous.
- Reward positive behaviour. give them a big hug and a well-deserved head pat after the procedure is over. A little treat wouldn’t be so bad either… also, remember to have patience and be kind with them. They love you just as much as you love them.
….H
….H
Dewclaws
Dogs usually have dewclaws on the inside of the front legs and sometimes also on the hind legs.
Unlike front dewclaws, rear dewclaws tend to have little bone or muscle structure in most breeds. It can be common, although not biologically necessary, that certain breeds will have more than one dewclaw on the same paw.
For certain dog breeds, a dewclaw is considered a necessity. Herding and Beauceron dogs are in need of them for navigating snowy terrain.
This claw will wear down if your dog walks on it, just like the other claws.
It is best to talk to your vet if you wish to do something about it.
….H
….H
Thoughts
I hope that my little article as helped you a tiny bit. Leave any details I may not have mentioned in the comments for me. Read you next time!