2006-06-06 17:46:19 · 18 answers · asked by triton_classic 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Here is a good site to illustrate how to clip your dog's nails: http://www.planet-pets.com/clip_nails.htm
2006-06-06 17:53:20 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not cut higher, into the quick, and be sure to not do so by cutting horizontally with the bottom of the foot pad. The toenails, after trimmed should be at or below the foot pad, not above. If cutting above you risk hitting the sensitive quick and making your dog fearful of future nail trimmings. To get your dog used to you trimming it's nails, take the clippers and the dog's paw and just move them towards the paw and tap each toe. Give a treat if the dog behaves through this. My dog used to hate having her nails trimmed but now is eager for the treats afterwards. You can always have a vet or groomer show you how to do it the first time, and then do it at home from then on. Make sure the clippers are sharp since dull clippers are more likely to rip the nail or hurt the dog.
2006-06-06 17:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by kimsgerbils 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do it yourself, but be very careful and use the right equipment. Go to a pet store and ask for a guillotine-style nail clipper. Now, go have a beer to relax...just kidding. Take a deep breath and examine your dog's nails closely. If they are white or translucent like sone northern breeds have this will be much easier, but I will attempt to help you with dark nails too. With light colored nails, you can see where they get darker. Just as the nail is beginning to curve and get much thinner, squeeze the clipper firmly about a millimeter closer to the end of the nail.
You will do just about the same for dark or opaque nails, but you need to be ever so much more careful. I recommend that you hold the nail sideways to look at the curve while you clip. Just take slivers off until just before the nail gets thicker. Hopefully, you will have missed the quick and avoided pain for your dog.
Also only do a few nails at a time, praise your dog and give him a treat. Come back and do a few more later in the day. Your dog will learn that getting a manicure from you is pleasant and ends with a treat, so he will most likely sit still for it.
If you find your hands shaking, please do not trim your dog's nails, just shell out the few dollars and let a trained groomer do it for you.
2006-06-06 18:06:16 · answer #3 · answered by lexxus_gs_400 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is ok to cut your dogs nails. If your dog is not use to you touching his/her feet you may want to start by just touching his feet. Once your dog is comfortable with that then you can cut his nails. You will need to buy a pair of dog nail clippers as human ones will not work.
If your dogs nails are white you will see what looks like a red vein in the nail, this is the quick, which is the blood supply to the nail. You do not want to cut the nail back that far. Your dog will yelp and it will bleed. I have a product called quik-stop on hand just in case I clip the quick, it stops the bleeding almost immediately. My suggestion is that you start by clipping just the very tip of the dogs nails, that way you wont hit the quick even if the dogs nails are black and you cannot see it. If you clip your dogs nails every 2 to 3 weeks the quick will recede some.
A good alternative to clipping your dogs nails is to take them for walks everyday. Walking on cement helps to wear the nails down and therefore rids the need for nail clipping almost entirely.
2006-06-06 17:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by sunnydog98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to buy dog nail clippers. Do NOT use human nail clippers, these are ineffective and can cause damage. Make sure you do not cut the quick which will be very painful to your dog. If your dog has white nails, you should be able to see the quick very clearly which is a black part of the nail. If your dog has black nails, it is better to get your vet or groomer to clip your dogs nails and show you how to do it properly because cutting the quick of your dog's nail will be very painful and it will bleed like a hell.
2006-06-06 17:49:28 · answer #5 · answered by oh_scheiss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clip with a dog nail clipper and just cut a tiny end off. Have some flour nearby incase you cut too
much then put flour on to stop the bleeding. have cotton balls around to assist also. If you have a friend who can help hold the dog that will go better too.
GOOD LUCK --if you are scared after reading this take dog into a vet they will show you how to do it.
2006-06-06 17:51:44 · answer #6 · answered by MayberryNR5 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend you see a professional the first time - have them show you how they cut. Unlike a human's nails, there is flesh and blood in a dog's claws out beyond the toe; if you cut too close, it is painful for the dog, as well as being a bloody mess.
Once you've (carefully) watched the process to understand how much you should clip, invest in a GOOD set of clippers, and go for it!
2006-06-06 17:50:56 · answer #7 · answered by weirina85 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's OK, but make SURE you use only nail clippers made for dogs, most have a built-in stop to keep you from cutting too much of the nail, and you need to have some styptic powder on hand to quickly stop the bleeding if you do accidentally cut too far, sometimes it just happens, even with the professionals, and styptic powder is all they use.
2006-06-06 18:01:14 · answer #8 · answered by virgil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally NO!!! your dogs' nails should be worn down from being walked on hard surfaces like cement. Maybe your dog should be wal;ked more. They're not like cats who are inside and their nails need clipping.
If this is absolutely necessary read the other answers, most of the answers give good good advice but I'd suggest going to a vet.
2006-06-06 19:55:21 · answer #9 · answered by chai'namarie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cut my dog's nails with toenail clippers. I only cut maybe an eighth of an inch at a time. I have the regular clippers from the vet, but the toenail clippers are easier for me to maneuver around a nervous dog.
2006-06-06 17:50:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen up---this is a learned procedure--you must be taught---if it is not done properly--the injury to your pet can be significant---It is HIGHLY suggested that you let someone very familiar with this procedure do this as they teach you---and not a bad idea at all to do this two or three times before attempting it on your own---A major risk here is cutting the vein located in the claw itself and if this is done significantly deep the dog will bleed profusely and could require medical help---Get help doing this and learn the procedure well befor attempting it----Good Luck to you and love you dog really big full time
2006-06-06 17:56:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋