What is the right way to clip my dog's toenails?

Question

I recently became the owner of an 18 month old pit bull dog. She is in need of a manicure, and I can't afford to take her to a groomer. I bought an at-home manicure kit, but the instructions weren't very informative. They said to be careful about cutting the vein. What vein? How short is too short? I love my dog, and don't want to hurt her. If anyone can suggest a good website about dog grooming or if anyone has any tips--Thanks!

Answer 1

Here's a site that shows pics of what's going on, and it will probably explain the process a lot better than I ever could. If you've got styptic powder in your manicure kit, keep it handy in case you do accidentally cut her. If you don't have any, however, you can use regular kitchen flour.

http://www.planet-pets.com/clip_nails.htm

Lastly, if you can shell out about $15, you can always take her to a vet's office and have a technician demonstrate and talk you through it.

Answer 2

I am the proud owner of a 13 month old American Pit Bull Terrier and let me tell you, forget the groomer, they do cost way too much. A groomer told me that for my dog to get a bath and a nail trim it was going to be close to $40 because of his 70 pound size. Call the vet you take your dog to and see how much they charge. Sometimes they'll throw a trim in for free. It takes 3 people to get my dogs nails trimmed at home and that is just the front 10. If you rescued the dog from a shelter maybe they will be able to help you out with the expenses too. Good Luck Girl. Make sure you treat your dog as nice as you want them to treat you and you guys will live happily ever after!

Answer 3

I have a nine month old puppy and the first time I tried cutting her nails I was REALLY NERVOUS. I did not want to hurt her. She has black nails and I cant see the vein but I did fine. Just clip where the nail starts to curve. If she does bleed don't panic it is not a big deal. Just place your finger on the tip of the nail and apply some pressure it should stop the bleeding after a couple minutes. Also there is a powder like thing made for stopping the bleeding on pets nails sold at your local pet store. Hope I helped.

Answer 4

Call groomers in your area. One of them, at least, may offer to do this service for free. It would not hurt to give a $2.00 tip, to show appreciation. IF you can afford it. If not, don't worry about it.

Often times, the vein is very hard to see. The nails may be quite dark in color. If you happen to cut the vein. YOU WILL KNOW IT! It is extremely painful to the animal. It will not only exibit pain, but will bleed as well. Which is your answer to "how much is too short".

Should bleeding occur...Grab a bar of soap, scrap the nail across the bar of soap. This will plug the hole opening, and stop the bleeding.

But again, unless you are SURE of what you are doing. Do not attempt this. It is very heartbreaking to know that YOU caused trememdous and undue pain to your dog. Doing it yourself, it not worth the possible agony that you AND your dog may encure.

Kindest Regards,
~~Mafi

Answer 5

at petco and other stores they sell a nail clipper by the grooming area that actually will alert you when you get too close to the vein with a mini alarm sound. I think it sells for about $18.
Try taking him otherwise to the humane society or etc for a toenail clipping if you are hurting financially for now, but put aside something you are spending your money on now to take care of this doggy because they are very dependant on us for their health & wellbeing. Its your baby no matter how big it gets. Dogs have legitimtae needs & expenses that an owner needs to be responsible for. Good luck!

Answer 6

But really if you cant do it yourself, and you cant afford a groomer, not trying to be rude but why did you get the dog,.
Most bully dogs have really thick nails that a regular clipper cant do unhramingly to the dog.
If you take the dog to the groomer they can take care of it for you and just the nails to be clipped deosnt or shouldnt cost more than 12 dollars, call a local PetsMart, Petco, Vet, or maybe even a animal shelter will do it for you for free

Answer 7

Use a nail clippers made just for dogs. If she has white nails you should be able to see the vein. It will be pink and the tips of her nails will be white. Just dont cut too close to the pink part. IF your dogs nail are black cut them to right about where the nail starts to hook or curve down a bit. You can always cut them adn file them down a bit if you are afraid to get to close with the clippers. Also get in the habit of playing with her paws and nails when she is sleepy so she is used to have her feet touched and this will make nail trmming much easier.

Answer 8

What do you mean you don't have enough money to get your dogs nails clipped? It only costs about $10 to $15. You don't need to get your dog completely groomed in order for your dog's nails to get clipped. Most grooming shops you can just walk in without an appointment and they'll clip the nails that very moment and it only takes less that 2 minutes.

Answer 9

thats not true with black nails to cut where they curve. dont do that because the longer the nail gets the longer the kwik (vein) gets. cut a bit look in the middle of the nail, if you see white cut a bit more off when you start to see black in the center of the nail you should stop. if the nail happens to bleed have some flour or baking soda near by. cover bleeding area and press until bleeding stops.

Answer 10

when u trim a dogs nails u should only trim a little at a time usally just the new growth (white part ) then as u need too a little at a time the dog will let u know when it is too short just do nut cut it when is not wanting u too