Trim Your Dogs Nails: Tools of the Trade
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Just like most dog owners, you may dread trimming your dog’s nails. It can be scary and daunting, but it’s not as hard as you may think!
If you have a dog that fears having its nails trimmed and other dog grooming procedures, cutting a dog’s nails can be difficult. Like most dog grooming and care, success depends on using the right dog grooming tools and the proper technique.
Trimming a dog’s nails is one of the most basic dog grooming techniques; it’s also one of the essential elements of dog ownership.
The two basic nail trimming tools for pets include the traditional nail clipper and the Dremel-style nail trimmer, sold under names like the Peticure pet nail trimmer.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through trimming your dog’s nails safely and effectively. So read on and learn how to trim your dog’s nails like a pro!
Importance To Trim Your Dogs Nails
Your dog’s nails are a close part of their anatomy and it is important that they are kept trimmed.
The nails themselves can grow long, causing them to curl, become infected, and potentially break.
Trimming can cut the time it takes for a nail to grow, thus preventing painful infections.
Nails grow at different rates, so some dogs may need to have their nails trimmed more frequently than others.
If you are unsure what this means, your veterinarian can help you figure out which of these is the case with your dog.
Why To Trim Your Dogs Nails?
Nails that are too long can cause several problems for dogs, including:
- Pain and discomfort
- Infection in nail beds
- Torn nails and nail beds
- Limping or difficulty walking
- Chewing or licking of feet (caused by the pain)
If your dog is a companion pet for an older adult or someone on a blood thinner type of medication, longer nails on a dog can tear up their arms as they show love or affection by pawing at their owner.
To keep your dog healthy and happy, and to keep your floors and furniture from getting scratched, it’s important to keep their nails trimmed regularly.
So since it’s important to trim your dog’s nails, let’s look at how to do it safely and effectively.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
How to Pick a Dog Nail Trimmer
Nail trimming for dogs is often a hard task, but it doesn’t have to be. A dog’s overgrown toenails can lead to serious problems if not properly trimmed. The process isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
Trimmers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be corded or battery-operated.
Some are operated by hand, while others are operated by machine.
There are two main types of nail grooming tools for pets - the clipper style and the sander style.
Let’s look at them both:
Dog’s Traditional Nail Clippers
The first step in cutting your dog’s nails begins by selecting the type of nail trimmer is best for your dog.
A dog nail clipper is inexpensive and can be purchased at virtually any pet store. There are two basic types of nail clippers available to dog owners: scissor-style and guillotine-style.
Nail clippers that look like scissors are easier to use, especially on dogs with larger, thicker nails, however, guillotine-style clippers stay sharper for longer.
Unfortunately, there are a few disadvantages to pet nail clippers. Dog nail clippers tend to dull fairly quickly, which causes them to crush the dog's nail instead of cutting it cleanly.
It can lead to foot and nail pain, infection, and bleeding from the "quick," the living part of the dog's nail.
Nail clippers can be difficult to use on dogs with smaller or more delicate nails.
Before clipping these nails, a dog owner may need to file the nail to make it smooth.
Nail clippers can be challenging to use on a scared and struggling dog during a nail clipping attempt. One slight movement and the pet owner may accidentally cut into the quick of the nail, causing bleeding.
One painful experience, and you will constantly have a battle on your hands in trimming your dog’s nails.
Nail clippers can leave the dog with sharp nails, which can scratch the dog's skin when he itches, as well as scratch pet owners, furniture, and flooring.
It's important for pet owners who opt to use a traditional nail clipper device to purchase a coarse grain nail file like those used for acrylic nails before cutting a dog's nails.
Use the nail file to smooth sharp edges after trimming the dog’s nails with the clippers.
Dog's Dremel-Type Nail Trimming Device
An alternative to the traditional nail clipper is the Dremel-style pet nail trimmer. Instead of using scissors to cut through the dog's nail, this tool uses a rotary blade.
The Dremel-style nail trimmer is now one of the most popular grooming tools for dogs and other pets - an excellent tool for giving dogs and other pets pedicures.
This Dremel-style pet nail trimmer features a rotating file that shaves away the nail. By doing so, pet owners have greater control when trimming a dog's nails, and there is less risk of cutting the nail to or below the quick, which can cause pain and bleeding.
Using similar dog nail trimming devices eliminates the need to file the dog's nails to remove sharp edges that result from clipping the dog's nails.
The disadvantage of it is that it is more expensive than traditional nail clippers, but it also has the disadvantage that some dogs don't appreciate the vibration sensation caused by the nail trimmer.
With patience and positive reinforcement training, that can easily be overcome.
For dogs with black or dark-colored nails, these mechanical nail filing tools are ideal. If a dog has black nails, the live part of its nail - the quick - cannot be seen.
As a result, nail trimming with traditional clippers becomes a guessing game that can cause an injury to a dog's nail.
More Hints and Tips for Cutting a Dog’s Nails
Pet owners must also keep styptic powder or cornstarch on hand if the nail trimmer cuts the do’s nail too short, resulting in bleeding.
Dog owners must wash and disinfect their dog's injured nail twice a day for about one week, as well as bandaging the injured paw for a few days after the mishap.
There are many tips and tricks for simple dog grooming at home, whether it's bathing a dog, cleaning a dog's ears, or trimming pet nails.
Dog Nail Trimmer Recommendations
For Small to Medium Large Dogs
Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder Upgraded - Professional 2-Speed Electric Rechargeable Pet Nail Trimmer Painless Paws Grooming & Smoothing
Trimmers That Avoid Over Cutting
BOSHEL Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer - With Safety Guard to Avoid Over-cutting Nails & Free Nail File
Styptic Powder to Stop Bleeding
Final Thoughts on Trimming a Dog's Nails
When you trim a dogs nails, you are not just helping keep their feet trim, you are helping them stay healthy, and prevent pain and discomfort.
Dogs feet grow faster than human feet, which means that your dog's nails need to be trimmed more frequently than yours.
But even more importantly, dogs nails are much sharper than human nails, and their nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent and help prevent painful, damaging injuries.
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