Black Toenails?

Question

My dog has black toenails and it is really hard for me to cut them because I cannot tell where the wick is on them. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can tell when I have cut enough? I don't want to make her bleed.

Answer 1

The easiest way I've found is by using a Dremel. You can buy rotary sanding drums for it. These are nice because they keep the toenails smooth, and they only take off a little at a time, so you can't cut chunks out of the quick in the nail. Dremels come in cordless, and corded varieties. The cordless ones have less power, and are better suited to toenails, although using a corded one, on the lowest setting is perfectly possible. Dremels can be found at your local Home Depot, Lowes, or even Walmart in the power tools section.

Also, some pet supply catalogs have special toenail grinders you can buy. I've never used them, but that would be something to check out.

Your dogs may take some time to get used to the noise of a Dremel, but it you introduce it slowly (one foot at a time) and offer lots of praise and treats, they should get used to it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

oh I hate black tonails!! my pug has some black & some tan & its SO hard to see the quick on the black ones...here's a general rule of thumb...assuming you have dog nail clippers & her nails are clipped regularly so that the quick hasnt grown out too long....place the clipper on the pad of the toenail to be clipped, lay it flat & whatever part of the nail is sticking thru the clipper should be safe to cut...and Im only saying this so no one can say that I didnt say it, obviously the clipper cant be straight up & down that would cut the nail right up by the toe & WAY into the quick, I dont think your stupid or anything but you have to be carefull what you say on here so people dont take it wrong....good luck!!!

also I agree w the answer above about maybe getting them done once so you can see about how long is a safe length!!

Answer 3

I actually went out and bought a dremmel for the very same reason. Both of my dogs have black toenails. With the dremmel I file them not too short but just enough so the dogs are comfortable. Before I bought the dremmel I was terrified of doing their nails.

Answer 4

it is called a quick, not a wick. You have to cut a little at a time...but if you are uncomfortable doing this take him to the groomer or the vet as they have stuff to stop the bleeding quickly shoud they cut too much of the nail.

Answer 5

my dogs all hate the nail clippers, so I bought a cordless Dremel (a small tool with a rotary sanding drum) and I just file their nails now. no one bleeds, they let me know if I get too close to the quick by jerking their feet back. the nails are nice and smooth. it took a couple of times for them to get used to the sound, but yummy treats helped a lot. =)

don't use the Dremel with the cord, it is too strong and you could take the whole toe off!

Answer 6

You can pay for a groomer to do it. Also, cut at a 30 degree angle from the bottom edge of the nail and you won't cut the quick.

Answer 7

You will need to carefully cut a small amount and if you get any pink on the center, it's too much. It might be a good idea to take her to have them done professionally the first time and ask them to show you how to do it.

Answer 8

My boxers nails are black and I always just felt safer letting the vet or groomer cut them.

Answer 9

just the very end of the tips...if you do accidentally cut the 'quick' it will bleed a lot but don't panic just dab them with cold water and apply neosporin to the tips until they heal

Answer 10

i agree with the first one....take it to the vet