Trimming your dog’s nails successfully

Nail maintenance is vital to your dog's health. As their nails develop and aren't constantly worn down by walking, it's your duty to maintain them at a suitable length. Long nails influence a dog's gait, which can contribute to arthritis in old age. Also, longer nails could get trapped and pulled, or curl back to the toe pad, causing pain and infection. Nail trimming isn't stressful if you have the correct nail trimmer and have taught your dog not to struggle.


The nail "quick" has veins and nerves. In white nails, the quick is more visible. By removing tiny amounts at a time as well as trimming the nail horizontally rather than vertically, you can prevent cutting it too short and causing it to bleed.


Below are some of the tips to trim your nails successfully 

  • Start with your puppy's feet. By making it a game, they'll let you clip their nails when they're older.

  • Choose a good nail trimmer for your dog's size and age. It is better to use a trimmer that can reach the tiny points easily. If you want, you can even consult your vet for choosing a trimmer.

  • Never trim your dog's nails in your lap. Help you lay them on a tabletop or the washing or dryer lid so you can see them. Towels can help you hold your dog. Hold your pet's paw and make him relaxed so he will not resist.  If you release the paw whenever your pup protests, you'll reinforce negative behavior and make the next session worse.

  • Be ready to act. Keep styptic pencils like styptic powder or silver nitrate on hand. Keep in mind that if you get any of the silver nitrate on your hands or surfaces, it will leave a stain. Beginners will find it simpler to work with the powder.

  • You can see the pink section of the quick if your dog's nails are pale in color. When it comes to trimming your dog's nails, go slow and be careful not to overdo it. It is better to apply a light pressure on his toe and stretch the nail. Draw an imagined line from the bottom of my toe pad up across the nail. This imaginary line allows me to clip the nail such that it is now flush with the ground when standing with the dog.

  • Getting the nail cut if it is too long will take you forever. The drill can be used to preserve the nail or to smooth the nail once you've used the clippers to remove the rough edges. You'll need to teach your pet not to be scared of the drill's loudness, so take it gently at first so that you can both get used to it.

With a little practice and a lot of patience, you can soon be trimming your dog's nails with confidence. If all else fails, your veterinarian or groomer are there to help.