Do you hear that clicking sound as your dog walks across the floor? Maybe you have noticed that your pup's nails are getting a little long. Most pet owners call up the vet's office to schedule an appointment to get their dog's nails trimmed. If the dog regularly sees a groomer, the nails are probably taken care of during the visit, but what if you want to do it yourself?
Trips to the vet and the groomer cost money. A simple nail trim at the vet will run around $10. To this cost you must add your gas or fuel expense for the trip and your valuable time. Trimming your dog's nails at home can save you over $100 bucks a year. Not to mention, if your dog suffers from anxiety during a trip to the vet, your pet will be relieved of such anguish.
What You Need
Trimming your dog's nails is not extremely complicated. You will need to purchase a high-quality pair of nail trimmers. Visit your local TSC or Petsmart for such an item. These items can range from about $7 to $25. I personally recommend that you avoid the cheapest set for your pet. Although I am all about saving money, the trimmers is not the place to skimp. Cheaply made nail trimmers will be more difficult to use and make the nail trimming process more difficult.
Another handy item to have on hand is a nail file for smoothing the dog's nails after they have been cut. This item is not expensive and will be found near the nail trimmers. The nail file is optional because it is nice to have around, but a simple walk around the block on the sidewalk will be effective for most. If your dog likes to jump up and you trim the nails short, filing the nails is best so that no one gets accidentally scratched by the rough edges on the freshly cut nails.
Procedure
Trimming your dog's nails for the first time may feel a bit awkward to both you and your pet. If the dog has never had their nails cut, it may be a good idea to begin slowly by simply touching the dog's feet and nails occasionally during a soothing belly rub. Gently grasp and hold the paws for a few seconds while talking in a calm voice to your pet. Take the time to try this with all four paws. Your dog will quickly learn that touching his feet is very normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
When your dog is calm and relaxing is the best time to cut the nails. Some say that trimming the nails is easiest when the dog is asleep, but I personally worry that the dog may wake up and jerk when startled.
You can start with the back or front paws. It really does not matter. Be certain to use a pattern so you don't skip a paw or a couple of nails.
The nail trimmers are not difficult to operate. Simply slide one nail
Through the hole in the end of the trimmers. To cut the nail, squeeze quickly on the handles like you would a pair of pliers. The nail will easily be removed. You may hear a tiny click or see the nail fly. This is perfectly normal.
Filing the nails is easy. Simply pull the nail file along the rough edge
Of the dog's nail. After several strokes, feel the nail to see if it is smooth enough. If not, repeat the filing procedure until it is smooth.
Safety Tips
Cutting your dog's nails too short is the biggest concern during this process. It is possible to trim the nails too short and cause the dog to bleed. To avoid this problem, trim the dog's nails a little bit with each snip. Do not try to cut them close to the fur of the paw. That would be dangerous for both you and your pet.
Dog's with light colored nails have a bit of an advantage in this area. Sometimes, it is possible to tell by looking at the nail if you will cut too far. Dog's with darker nails present a bit of a challenge, but do not worry. A simple rule of thumb is to trim the nails no higher than the curve. Practicing this step will ensure your pet will be happy and healthy.
If, for some reason, you should happen to trim too close, be prepared. Your dog's foot will bleed. At first glance, this situation appears to be rather serious. Remain calm. It is not as bad as things look. Grab some corn starch or a bar of soap. Rub the nail area against the soap or into your handful of cornstarch. This will stop the bleeding.
Of course, it is always important to call your vet if you have any questions or concerns. The safety of your dog is of utmost importance.
Cutting your pet's nails is a job that can be safely performed at home. Pet owners can save time and money doing this in the comfort of their home. With the proper tools and information, trimming a dog's nails is a snap.
