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When I rescued my dog his nails were extremely overgrown. I began cutting them as short as I could so that the quick would recede.

I brought them to a proper length but I want them to be as short as possible. I have trouble with memory and I don't want them to overgrow if I forget.

So over the last few months I have been forcing the quick back with clipping and filing. I have the down to half an inch which got me thinking how short can they go?

I am opposed to intentional quicking. Everything I do is just short of the quick. I am cutting and filing every three days. Timber loves it because he gets a treat after each clipping. Everyone loves his nails because he never scratches.

So I thought I would ask, how short have you gotten your dogs nails? In theory could they be totally removed with progressive clipping and filing? Anyone ever done this?

2007-03-06 10:16:18 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Dogs

Read the question, I don't encourage cutting the quick or making them bleed. I don't want my baby to be in pain.

As for obsession, meh. I had to get them this short but shorter was just a thought to pose.

2007-03-06 10:24:35 · update #1

11 answers

It sounds like you trimmed just short enough. I've been a vet tech for 10 years and you did everything right. You can't get any shorter than what you got or you will cause some foot and walking problems such as abscesses, fungus and animals unlike humans use their nails for traction while walking and defense against others. in my experience only cats get their nails removed and really the procedure is a removal (amputation)of the actually digit which holds the nail in place. Right now the best thing is to maintain the length that you have by filing and trimming every couple of weeks. I hope this helps you and Timber.

2007-03-06 10:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by boachick 1 · 1 0

Well when my brother got our dog, she had very overgrown nails. My sister just cut them as short as they would go without cutting the quick. And we just walk her a lot on the pavement which files the nails down for us. Her nails are very short now, especially her hind ones which are probably less than 1/2 an inch(haven't measured) and we only have to cut her dewclaws.

I'm not sure If they could totally be removed by clipping and filing, but i'm sure you could probably get them pretty close. I don't know why you would want that though... it doesn't seem like it would benefit the dog. How would they scratch their itches with no nails?

2007-03-06 18:27:49 · answer #2 · answered by marina 4 · 0 1

Definitely don't cut past the cuticle, as it will bleed pretty badly and hurt the dog. You can cut right up to it like you said, and they will naturally recede a little bit. It depends on the size of the dog to determine an exact measurement of how short you can get them. The only way you can totally remove them, though, is by getting a professional to declaw him.

2007-03-06 18:23:02 · answer #3 · answered by Christina G 2 · 0 1

Dogs use their nails for balance. You can not totally remove them and keeping them too short can create problems. Frequest cutting can also lead to fungus/infections of the nail and pad because you are constantly creating an opening in the tip of the nail.

2007-03-06 18:25:15 · answer #4 · answered by David G 2 · 2 0

You must be very careful in cutting a dogs nails (cats too). The nails in most animals have veins which run through them, if you cut them too short you'll rupture the vein and cause undo pain to the animal. It's ok to trim your pets nails, however, be careful not to rupture the blood vessels. Consult a veterinarian or contact your local ASPCA for more advice on proper pet care.

2007-03-06 18:24:19 · answer #5 · answered by cireengineering 6 · 0 1

You sound obsessed with this. You only need to get them to the point where the dog can walk comfortably. Don't try to force them shorter. That is a bit bizarre.

2007-03-06 18:20:01 · answer #6 · answered by kk 4 · 2 0

ive got mine pretty short but i wouldnt allow them to got too short because it could hurt the dog, when i cut mine too low her nail bled

2007-03-06 18:18:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Dogs can be de-clawed, like cats, by a vet.

DO NOT TRY TO CUT YOUR PET'S NAILS TOO SHORT BY YOURSELF. Please, start going to a professional.

2007-03-06 18:31:32 · answer #8 · answered by nursingbaby03 1 · 0 0

umm,, i really do think you need to get another obsession,,,,,,,, leave the nails alone,,, trim once a week,, do not cut the quick... PERIOD

2007-03-06 18:19:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

my vet said to only cut to the where the hair reaches..like not the hair line but the end of the follicle.

2007-03-06 18:19:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 1 1

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