how do i get her nails trimmed?

Question

my dogs nails are getting to longand i think they are contributing to her arthritus. how do i go about trimming them without causing pain?(when do nails get to a certian point they get blood veins)

okay, this is MY dog and i am only fifteen . so i have a budget. vets are to expensive.

Answer 1

A vet or groomer can do it. Some will show you how for an extra fee. Get a dog nail clipper from the pet store - you can't use human clippers on them.

With white nails, you can see the quick - it looks pink. Don't cut into that or it will hurt and bleed a lot. You can trim black nails a little bit at a time. You will see the inner core is white and sort of crusty. When the core turns to more of a solid black , you are just about to hit the quick - it will bleed if you cut past that point. You can get a product called Kwik Stop from a pet store - it's a powder that will stop the bleeding instantly if you do cut too far. It stings a bit, so don't be surprised if the dog objects! If you don't have that, you can jam the nail into a bar of soap. Doesn't work quite as well. You can also consider using a Dremel tool with a grinding wheel - just don't hold it on too long or friction will make the nail too hot.

With a little dog, you can lie him on his back and pin him between your legs. Practice every day for a week or more without the nail clippers - making clicking noises and gently handling his feet. Pet him and massage him and praise him and give him tiny treats so that he enjoys it. Then - when he is doing well - add the nail clippers. Clip a nail, give him a massage, etc...

One easy way to cut a big or nasty dog's nails is to run his sturdy leash through a chain link fence (around the post) and pull him up snug against it. You pretty much have to use a choke collar - not to choke him, but to keep him from backing out of the collar. Then, just keep clear of his teeth and trim away. Try to make it as pleasant as possible for him - give him treats, don't cut into the quick, praise him when he's not trying to bite you. We did this with the guard dogs that sometimes stayed at our kennel and no one ever go bit. I prefer not to tranquilize a dog unless absolutely necessary.

Answer 2

All dogs, no matter how long their nails are, have the "blood veins", referred to as "quicks". It's kind of like the pink of your nail--if you cut into it it stings and will bleed. If you want to do them yourself there are two options. The first involves getting a set of dog nail clippers (I find the scissors style easier to use than the "guillotine" style--the packages will tell you the difference) and, just to be safe, a pack of styptic powder (in case you get things too short). If your dog's nails are white it's easy--you can see the quick through the nails (it's the pink vein). Just snip the nails off to about a millimeter away from the vein. I find it easier to flip the foot over and do this from underneath, kind of like a farrier shoes a horse. Darker nails pose a challenge. Flip the foot over and look at the nails. In most cases you'll see a groove starting anywhere from a quarter of the way to halfway up the nail (from the tip). You can just cut up to where the groove begins. For dogs that don't have this, the safest way is to cut a little bit at a time until you see a white dot in the middle of the nail. That dot is the tip of the quick and you don't want to cut any farther.

The second option is the one I prefer. It involves investing in a Dremel, or nail grinder, and grinding the nails. This makes it easiest to see the quick, leaves a wonderfully smooth finish, and allows you to get the nails as short as possible. I would recommend finding a groomer who grinds and asking for a demonstration. This will run you $8-$10 but you'll know for sure. You can also take the dog to a groomer for a nail trim, which generally will run you $5-$8 and they can give you a hands-on demonstration. Most PetSmarts and PetCos with salons offer it as a walk-in service, but you should call ahead and see what vaccination records you need to present (it's always rabies, but the others vary from state-to-state). Good luck, and get this taken care of quickly! Overgrown nails can contribute to arthritis pain and other bone disorders since the dog has to adjust his walk to compensate for the nails.

Answer 3

All nails have a blood supply in them. The longer the nail gets, the longer the blood supply gets.
If they are very long, you won't be able to take much off at all. You have to start just taking the tip off and do that every week for a while and it will work the "quick" back. Then you can take more off.
If you look at them and can't do it, take the dog to a groomer or a vet so they can show you how.

Answer 4

You can do one of three things...If you take her walking or running on concrete or asphalt they will naturally trim themselves as the concrete acts like a giant nail file or you can take her to the vet and they will do it for you. Lastly there are these really cool dog nail clippers you can buy at walmart which have a little guard on them so you can't cut them too far. If her nails aren't black you can easily see where the blood vessels are and you just watch where you are cutting but if they are black it is a little harder.

Answer 5

Put them within the role in which you probably trim their nails, whether or not or not it's with them laying at the floor, status, and many others. Let them see the nail clippers, however do not clip - simply supply them treats and plenty of compliment, and in the event that they thrash round, do not allow them to up - they are going to simply be taught that in the event that they submit a battle, they are able to escape and may not need to have their nails trimmed. With the treats, they are going to be taught that they WANT to be in that role, seeing that while they're they get treats! After a couple of days, simply run the clippers alongside their paw - up and down, best and backside. Don't clip, simply allow them to consider the clippers there even as you keep to supply them a couple of treats. Once they have got gotten used to the consider of the clippers after a couple of extra days, then you'll be able to begin to clip - only one paw in the beginning, the very recommendations of the nail. As they get cozy with that, you'll be able to begin doing two paws, then three, then all four. You need to get them cozy with the complete procedure, and it is not an instantaneous repair. Good success!!

Answer 6

you can get a pet nail trimmer at a pet store or Target or even Walmart and do it yourself, I did my 2 dogs nails myself, the tip is a diferent color than the base of the nail, dont cut past the base color, thats where the bleeding and pain will occur. But it is best to go to a vet or grooming business since most dogs wont stay still long enough, but it is possible to do yourself. Where I live my dogs get a bath and their nails done for $10.00, check your area for similar deals

Answer 7

either take her to a vet or to a groomer. if you call some groomer and tell them what you want done and it only her nails you need trimmed some of the will cute you a deal. and yes nails have quick in them and they grow with the nails so if you take her to a groom /vet they can help you out.

Answer 8

I cut my cat's nails by my self and a vet cuts my dog's. You should really do the same or if they do grow too long it will really hurt and eventually your dog will get put to sleep because her nails can't be trimmed.

Answer 9

Take your dog to the Vet to get them trimmed and ask them to show you the proper way to do it - do not forget to get "Quikstop" while you are there (It's used to stop the bleeding if you accidentally clip too far down)

Long nails do not cause arthritis

Answer 10

WHAT is the big deal???Just DO IT! W/the correct nail wackers of course! NOTHING TO IT!

Behind her back(like a horse) & just take the tips! Take more next week,etc.

Having a groomer do it oughta run you about $10,btw.