Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important for his health, but the process can seem complicated or confusing. Here’s how to safely trim your pup’s nails, plus when it might be best left to a professional.

Key takeaways:

• Start touching and handling your pup’s feet at an early age to get them used to the sensation.

• A dog’s nail is made of two parts – the outer shell and the quick – and cutting the latter can result in injury and pain.

• Dog nail trimmers come in three basic styles.

• Going to a professional may be the best option if your dog is fearful, wiggly, stressed, or has black nails that make it hard to see the quick.

Our four-footed friends require a lot of care to maintain their health, comfort, and happiness. One area that stresses some dog parents out is cutting their pup’s nails. Some parents worry so much about when and how to cut their dog’s nails that they end up putting it off entirely.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important to prevent injury or infections through split nails, though. This article will guide you through the basics of safe doggie nail cutting, where to cut, what not to cut, the tools you need, how to keep your furry friend still during the process, and much more.

How to identify the parts of your dog’s nails

First, the basics. The dog nail is made up of two parts, the outer shell and the quick:

• The outer shell is made of a hard material that feels similar to human toenails or fingernails.

• The quick requires a closer look at your pup’s nails to see it.

If your dog’s nails are light in color, you should be able to see a pinkish line inside the shell. That’s the “quick,” and it also has two parts: a blood vessel and a nerve ending. Both are vital because they provide nourishment to the nail to keep it healthy and strong. Cutting the quick results in bleeding and a painful experience for your pooch, so take care not to cut it.

How to tell when your dog’s nails need trimming

When is it time to cut your pup’s nails? Let your ears be the guide! Listen to their feet as they run across a hard surface like your kitchen floor or sidewalk. If you hear clicking, they’re due for a trim. Another sign your dog’s nails need trimming is if the quick has grown out too far. The pinkish line should be no more than two millimeters from the end of the nail. If the quick is any longer than that, it probably means your pup has gone too long between trims.

How to make trimming as easy as possible:

Play with your dog’s paws

Make everyone’s life easier by getting your pup used to having their paws touched. Start touching and rubbing their paws when they are puppies. Use your fingers to massage the pads and top of each, and be sure to give your pup praise and a treat.

Introduce them to nail clippers or scissors at an early age, too. Bring the clippers out and just hold them. When your dog approaches you and sniffs the clippers, give them praise and a treat. Next, start placing the clippers near their feet when they sit with you, and reward them with lavish praise and something tasty. Nail cutting will be much easier if your dog is comfortable. Reward them every step of the way and you’ll have a dog well-adjusted for safer nail cutting care in no time.

Know your dog nail cutting tool options

The most common way to cut a dog’s nails is with clippers, which are similar to human nail clippers. Dog nail clippers come in two styles: traditional scissor- and guillotine-style. The scissors are more common, work like scissors, and are best for toy breeds, puppies, and other teeny dogs. Guillotine-style clippers are for medium or large dog breeds with very thick nails.

A third option is a Dremel tool-style trimmer, which grinds the nail down using a spinning barrel covered in abrasive sandpaper-like material. Dremel tools are a safer option for very thick or black nails.

How far should you trim?

The goal is to cut the nail so that it does not touch the floor when the dog is walking or running. The easiest way to tell how far to trim is by looking for the quick. Cut the nail in front of the quick and avoid coming near the pinkish line of the blood vessel.

If your dog’s nails are very thick or they have black nails, you won’t be able to see where to cut so you’ll need to be extra careful. Trim no more than 1/16th of the nail at a time, and always look at the nail head between clips. If you see a blackish color, you can trim another 1/16th of an inch and check again. If you see whitish or pinkish coloration, you’re getting close to the quick and it’s time to stop.

When to consider professional nail trimming

Maintaining your dog’s nail care is important for their health. With the proper equipment, precautions, and mindset, you can keep your pup safe while you cut his nails.

If your dog has black nails, is overly wiggly, or you are nervous about hurting them, you may want to bring your pup to a dog care professional. These experts can also handle your dog if they won’t hold still. An older dog may warrant a trip to a professional as well. The pros will be able to handle your dog gently to prevent any discomfort or injury during the nail cutting process.

Remember that a dog care professional is always an option if you don’t want to struggle on your own! Scenthound is in business to help you give your dog the best life possible by tackling routine dog care in the skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth arenas (in addition to others). If you’re looking for an expert dog wellness services provider to help you keep your pup happy and healthy for years to come, get in touch with us today.