The Best Way to Trim Your Dog's Nails

Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is important and should be a part of your usual health routine with your dog. If your dog’s nails aren’t trimmed properly, your dog could get infections, broken or ingrown nails and other painful conditions. 

Some dogs will naturally wear down their nails by walking or playing especially if your daily walk involves cement. Older and inactive dogs tend to avoid hard surfaces and will not wear their nails down. In all cases, it is important to look at your dog’s nails and keep them on the shorter side.

How Can You Tell If Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long?

If your dog's nails are too long, you will hear them clack when your dog walks on hard surfaces. Another way to tell if your dog’s nails are too long is if your pup’s claws protrude over the pad and touch the ground when your dog is standing.

Try to Make Nail Trimming a Positive Experience

Many dogs don’t necessarily like nail trimming. There are even some dogs who aren’t comfortable with people – even their pet parents- handling their feet. Sometimes, nail trimming can be uncomfortable for your pup when the clippers tighten on your dog’s nails, so it is important to not only have the proper technique, but to also try to make the experience a positive one. 

Try to clip a nail or two (or three if possible) and then feed your dog his favorite treat. Clip another nail or two and feed another treat. With repetition and a little time, your dog will probably decide that getting his nails done is not frightening and worth the effort and rewards.

Choosing the Right Clippers

Make sure to buy dog clippers that you feel comfortable using and that can get the job done. There are several styles of nail trimmers available. Guillotine nail clippers are often the easiest to use and work well for small breeds.

Plier-style dog nail clippers with a scissors action are also very effective, especially for larger breeds or dogs with strong, thick nails. Look for clippers with sharp stainless steel blades and a comfortable handle with plenty of grip.

Cut Your Dog’s Nails – One at A Time

Take your dog’s toe and hold it firmly but gently between your fingers. If you’re using a scissors-type trimmer, hold them at a right angle to the nail with the tip of the nail between the blades. Quickly squeeze the handles to close the scissors and cut the nail.

If you’re using a guillotine-type trimmer, insert the tip of your dog’s nail into the hole, holding the trimmer perpendicular to the nail so that you cut from top to bottom, not side to side.  When you’ve positioned the trimmer in the right place, squeeze the handles to cut through your dog’s nail.

Avoid the Quick When Cutting Your Dog’s Nails

If your dog has clear nails, you can see the live quick, which looks pink. Cut the nail no closer than about two millimeters from the quick. If your dog has darker nails, the easiest way to cut them is to start with the tip. And then just cut one little sliver at a time. Then, it is best to stop trimming the nail when you see the oval. If you don’t, you’ll cut into the quick, causing pain and bleeding.

Another option with black nails is to have an assistant use a flashlight to backlight each of your dog’s nails while you trim. The light from behind the nail allows you to clearly see the pink quick.

Trim Your Dog’s Nails More Regularly

Most dogs do not like having their nails trimmed. It is inherently a good idea to get your dog used to having their paws handled at a young age if possible, or at any age by gentle handling and praise. Take things slowly. You don't have to do all the claws in one session. Once you and your dog get used to the trimming, try to check and trim your pup’s nails more regularly.

Maintain Your Dog’s Nails in Between Trimming Sessions

To keep your dog's nails healthy between trimmings, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise on various surfaces. Walking on hard surfaces like pavement can naturally help wear down the nails. Regularly inspect your dog's paws for any signs of injury or infection and keep the paw pads moisturized with a pet-safe balm to prevent cracking and discomfort.