Trimming a dog's nails is a very important part of their routine care. Why is it important, though?
You are most likely aware of the danger of nails growing into a dog's paw pads. This is extremely painful for the dog and it creates an open wound in an area prone to infection. If left untreated, it could cause severe issues including lameness and other complications. However, something less known about overgrown dog nails is far more subtle. So, you may not even know your pooch is suffering. Dogs are digitigrades. Which means their natural posture has them walking on their toes, instead of the whole foot like us humans. If a dog's nails become too long, they may be forced to walk improperly in order to try and relieve pressure/pain. This can contribute to weakening of the core muscles in your pet, just like it does in people. This can cause myofascial pain, luxation, arthritis, and/or muscle tension. Which can lead to other, more serious, issues.
The most important thing to know before trimming a dog's nails is identifying where the "quick" is. But what is a "quick?" The quick is a soft cuticle that contains the blood vessel and nerves that run through your dog's nail. Which means if you cut it, it will not only hurt, but it will bleed as well. Since a quick has lots of blood vessels within it, stopping the bleeding can be difficult. Before starting to cut your dogs nails, it may be wise to invest in some Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder to immediately stop any bleeding that may occur.
Now, let's start trimming! Your cut should be at a 45 degree angle, as shown above. If you are just starting to trim a dog's nails after a long hiatus, you may only be able to trim the "tips". Because the longer you go without trimming a dog's nails, the longer the quicks become. Regular maintenance will gradually cause the quick to recede, allowing you to slowly return the nails to their proper length.
A dog's nails should be trimmed roughly every 3 or 4 weeks. This can vary depending on a dog's lifestyle. For example, a dog that goes on a lot of long walks on rough terrain may wear down their nails by themselves to an extent. Meanwhile, a dog that is mainly indoors on smooth surfaces may need nail trims more often.
Most people here will probably know that not all dog's have clear nails with obvious looking quicks. Some dogs have brown or black nails that make it impossible to tell where the quick is from the outside. This can make trimming these nails very difficult for some. If trimming the nails with clippers, you want to go slowly, layer by layer. When you start trimming, the inner layers will most likely be white or a light gray. You will continue to trim until you see a gray/black dot in the middle of the nail. This is the beginning of the quick and you should stop here! Even if you're experienced, cutting a quick on black nails can still happen accidently. I personally feel safer trimming black nails using a Dremel or "grinder". Usually you wait until after cutting with clippers to finish off with a Dremel to round and smooth off the nail. However, if you're dog is patient enough, it is possible to do the whole nail with a Dremel. Whatever is safer and better for you and your pup.
To finish off, let's talk about the elephant in the room... most dogs hate nail trims! More often than not, nail trimming is at least a two person job. One thing we have
to remember is how scary something like this can be for a dog. In general, animals do not like their feet touched or grabbed. It leaves them very venerable and goes against their natural instincts. Not only that, but many dogs have had bad experiences with nail trims (like cut quicks) that completely break their trust in the process. Rebuilding that trust and finding what works best for you and your dog can be a process. To start, you must desensitize. Handle your dog's paws and nails outside of nail trimming sessions (give treats and positive words when you do this). Clip pasta with the nail clippers while near the dog, so they get used to the sound without pain. Run the sound of the Dremel while your dog is eating or playing without touching them. All of these are general ideas for desensitization, not rules that work for everyone. Of course, when the nail trimming session actually happens, treats and praise are key. And remember, it's better to get a few nails at a time than none at all. You don't have to do all the nails in one sitting if it's too stressful.
If training doesn't seem to be working, there are other alternatives. For example, CBC or calming treats sold at pet stores, vet prescribed sedatives/anxiety medication, professional grooming/training, or restraints like proper fitted muzzles and grooming slings.
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