Dog's Nails?

Question

I am afraid to cut my dogs nails. He does just fine it is me! I get too nervious and don't know where to cut them and i also end up just cutting like a MiliMeter off and that is pointless. Then I am afraid to cut them any more then that.

how far out can i cut them.


HELP! My vet charges 14 dollars to get them cut!

Answer 1

How far depends on the nail. With experience you learn how much you can cut.

If you really can't do it yourself, try a groomer, they are usually far cheaper and have a lot more experience doing nails than the vet.

Answer 2

I used to be nervous about this as well. I would go out and buy some Quick Stop. I beleive you can use flour instead too. Have this handy just in case - this will ease your nerves. I don't know what type of dog you have, I have a small dog and choose to use the scissor cutters. I purchased several different pairs (and yes you do not want to skimp on these). First I bought a pair from a local retail store - they were not sharp and found they did a poor job. I stoped using them. Now, I use ones designed for cats from my vets that are still the scissor kind. I think what you are doing is great, just keep cutting only a little at a time, slowly, you will become more comfortable with the idea, and can start taking bigger steps. Don't cut into the dogs quick, if the nails are clear you can see the quick inside as it the red part. If the nails are dark, you will not be able to see this. I think your best bet would be to go to your vet and ask them to teach you how to do it. Your vet charges so much, as they have more important things to be doing with their time.. and it is a way of trying to get people to do it on their own. You can also look into salons that might do it for cheaper.... good luck

Answer 3

If you are unable to see where the blood vessels run in the nail so that you feel safe about cutting them, be more careful. Hint if you do end up cutting them and one starts to bleed, make sure you have some cornstarch on hand. Have some out and put some on the end of the nail and hold it there it will stop the bleeding, you need to put about the size of a pea amount on it to stop the bleeding. Another thing that you can do if you can not afford going to the groomer is start walking your dog more, as that will wear down the nails as you walk your dog.

I don't want to be mean but if you can not afford the 14 dollars maybe you really shouldn't have a dog or any other pet. Any thing can happen to an animal in a moments notice and it could end up costing you thousands of dollars if you love your pet.

I once spent $800.00 on my cat because she had a (1-tooth) tooth problem, I spent the money because I love her and I could afford to.

Answer 4

If your dog has light colored nail you can look at them and see the pinkish red line inside the nail. That is the blood supply do not cut into it. Only cut in front of it.
If your dog has dark nails flip him on his back and look at the underside of the nail. There is a sort of v shaped thing on the bottom. You want to cut only in front of the end of that. Torwards the tip. If you nick the blood supply and the dog bleeds it does not hurt that bad but will bleed alot. You should get some Quick Stop powder just in case. If you nick them you dip the claw in it and it will stop the bleeding really quickly.
If you cut about every two weeks and only take off a small portion you should be ok.
I do mine like that. I take only the tip every two weeks and that way I am not cutting much but you have to keep up with it.
You may want to have the vet do it once more and then try just trimming every two to three weeks.
Good luck.

Answer 5

I have the same issue and refuse to cut the nails because I can't see. I just ordered a grinder (dremel type thing like they use in nail salons) from PetEdge.com I took my dog to PetSmart where they grinded down (for $10) but didn't do a great job. So, I bought my own. They have some reasonably priced ones. I think the one I ordered was 21.99. Most are about $50+ though. Just grind the nail so when the dog is standing, the nails are not curved and scraping the ground.

Answer 6

Before you start, have some alum around to stop the bleeding in case you go to far. If the dogs nails are black, just take off a little bit each week. It will cause the vein to recede. If the nails are clear, you can see and thus avoid cutting the vein. To really minimize the problem and have fun with your dog, take him for daily walks - everybody wins.
-MM

Answer 7

IF the idea makes you scared the dog will pick up on that and will be stressed also. the best way to go about it is to first and foremost relax second take your time trimm alittle at a time if you can only force yourself to do a MM at a time than trim the dogs nails once a day for a week taking of a little bit at a time. This will also reinforse to the dog that you are comfortable doing this and he will be happy for the attention.

Answer 8

A nice alternative to "cutting/trimming" is to use a dremel, which is a small sanding type tool you can find at Home Depo. You bypass the jagged edges that result from cutting too as the sanding leaves them without sharp edges.

Answer 9

if you are to nervous to cut the nails, take him to the vet or a groomer. check around your local area. compare the prices.

if you WANT TO TRY, cut it jst below the red part of the nail. that is the blood vessel you REALLY WANT TO MISS. if you cut it, there's going to be lots of blood. you'll have to stop it by using Kwik Stop Styptic Powder.

regular walking should grind down the nails.

Answer 10

go into the vet to get them clipped 1 more time, but this time ask him if he could show you how to do it. that's how i learned to clip my birds nails and wings. if it's a dog with white nails then sometimes you can see the blood vessels so just clip all the way till the start of the blood vessels.