my puppies nails are wayy long and scratch like crazy!!! they are 3 weeks old..is it too early to cut them?

Question

if not, with what should i cut them or where should i take them? is it expensive?

Answer 1

Hi jennifer r, yes you can clip them now - but they shouldn't really need it. Are you sure they are too long? Be careful when clipping not to clip the 'quick' - this is a blood vessel that runs down the nail - you can see it if you look carefully.

Answer 2

You should start cutting them as soon as possible because in this way, they will get used to it and become angels with cutting nails, as opposed to older dogs who can be a nightmare when receiving a nail trim (when they do not get 'em cut often).

Look at the puppy's nails...If the nails are white, it should be easy. What you are looking for is the pink streak inside the nail which is called the quick. It is a blood vessel which nourishes the nail. When cutting the nail, you want to cut just a bit after where the quick ends. Do NOT cut the quick because it will bleed. It has been known that the quick can get accidently cut. If this happens, put a piece of kleenex on it and then put a powder called 'quik stop' on it (or if you don't have any, stick the nail in a soft bar of soap).

Black nails are a little trickier. But for now, just cut the tips of the nails to be on the safe side in either colour's case.

If the nails are cut regularly (once every 2-3 weeks), the quicks will recede back (ie. become shorter) so nail cutting will be easier and the nails will be kept short. The quicks will continue to grow along the length of the nails if the cutting is not done consistently.

Answer 3

Just use a pair of human nail clippers,and just clip the very tip off.You'll know if you've cut them too short,as the pups will yip and the nails will bleed.If that happens,just apply pressure to the end with a cotton ball or a piece of tissue.Once you get used to it,it's easy and you should clip them about every ten days.

Answer 4

Being that the puppies are so young and they're still growing into their bodies, i would avoid cutting their nails for now. If you cut the nails too short you'll hit their "quicks" which are the veins in their nails and they can bleed out, maybe too much for such a young puppy. And no, i wouldn't take them anywhere to get them done, that would be just as risky as doing them yourself and more expensive. Wait a few more weeks before you decide to cut them.

Answer 5

Just use a human nail file, and gently rasp a little off. 3 weeks is a good age to get them used to having their paws handled. Do not take them out of the house until they get their shots. Baby puppies can get sick easily!

Answer 6

You don't want to take them anywhere to be clipped.. Take a pair of regular nail clippers and just take off the tip. You get them used to getting their nails done now, and they will be fine when they grow up, when it comes to having their nails clipped. Start early and get them used to everything !

Answer 7

You could take him to a Petco by you. I'm pretty sure all of them have grooming shops. It shouldn't be any more than 10 dollars.

Ask the groomer questions about cutting the nails, so you can do them yourself.

Answer 8

You can trip their nail now if you want to. I used a pair of human nail clippers. Just make sure you dont cut them too short and make them bleed. It's best to do it when they are very sleepy.

Answer 9

no it is not to early at all. but you must be careful. with them being that tiny you can use something as simple as regular nail clipers that you use for your nails. you are best to do it when they are really sleepy cause they don't fight back as hard. also just do the very tips you don't want to cut to far.

Answer 10

I cut my pups nails with cat claw trimmers starting at one week of age.