When cutting a dogs nails does the moving "blade" go on the top or bottom of his nail?

Question

Does it matter? Bottom meaning toward the floor...I think that part is obvious but my tard husband doesn't.

lindz_marie06...thanks. You just earned 10 points in 4 hours...these other people are ******* nuts.

Answer 1

the blade should come up from the bottom of the nail.

Answer 2

Hold the clippers in your hand. You want to slip the toe nail into the hole of the clippers, just like the way you slip a foot into a slipper. This means... the blade should be at the top.

Now THIS is very important. Never go too far up the nail towards the paw. You have to watch out for the quick in the nail. Otherwise, you can cause serious bleeding. And you really shouldn't do this without having styptic powder beside you. It can be found at pet stores. If you should hit a quick, you dab the styptic powder onto the bleeding area with a q-tip.

To measure how far to go.... The clipper should be parallel with the paw. You've gone far enough as soon as you can feel the clipper touching the pads on the paw. Less is better, never more.

If the dog hasn't had their nails clipped in quite a while... you want to do even less, about 1/8" of the nail, and wait about a week to do a little more. Reason why... the quick grows out with long nails on animals. You have to trim a little off, which will trigger the quick to move back.

Answer 3

I think you are talking about the clippers with a guillotine style blade - the cutting blade slides across a hole and nips off the tip of the nail. I think those work best if the blade comes up from the bottom since the shape of the nail is flatter at the bottom and rounder at the top (if viewed paw pads down). But if the reason behind this question has to do with making the blade more efficient, I have another suggestion...

I prefer the style of clippers which are scissor-shaped like pliers, because my dogs tend to have very thick nails and the guillotine style, no matter how you position it, tends to wobble and misalign on thick strong nails. I bought expensive guillotine ones and expensive plier type ones. I ended up staying with the plier type.

Many people end up getting a dremel for nail grooming their dogs.

Answer 4

I have one that the bottom blade moves on and starts at the bottom going up. I have another that both blades move on like scissors. Is there a groove in the clippers that form to the shape of the nails? Those are usually easier to figure out.

Answer 5

bottom.
you can see and angle better so as not to hurt the dog (or make it bleed) by angling the blade to cut just above the nerves (or where the sort-of-skin stops and the nail continues). If you did it from the top you wouldn't be able to determine if the blade would slice through a nerve when it hits the bottom. somethinglikethat.

Answer 6

I really dont think it matters, but I always put the moving blade on the bottom( yes I understood without you saying toward the floor). Its just easier for me to use.

Answer 7

I don't like using those I use regular people toe nail clippers, I find them easier to use. However in answer to your question the blade goes on the bottom. Lots of luck.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter, you just need to make sure that you don't cut into their cuticle. It will bleed like crazy, especially if it's a big dog. You can usually see where the cuticle starts inside the nail. It's pink looking. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

The blade goes 'under' the nail.

Answer 10

Moving blade? what are you using ?