Trimming Your Pet’s Toenails

Have you ever noticed the person who lets their finger nails grow out far enough for the tips to curl? Common consensus would agree that those nails are too long. With people, nail length is a matter of choice; with dogs, it’s a matter of health. Unlike cats, dog toenails are not retractable; the longer they grow the more health risk they are to your pet. Trim your dog’s toenails when the nail begins to curl. The tips and techniques described below pertain specifically to dogs but can be generalized to other pets like cats and birds.

A dog with long toenails has problems walking and risks causing additional trauma to sensitive paws by catching long, curled toenails on rough surfaces. As a pet owner, it is important that you show extreme care when you trim your pet’s nails. The nail is composed of the hard toenail on the outer surface and a spongier interior material called the quick through which the blood vessels and nerves support the entire claw. Your dog will feel pain and bleed if you cut the hard toenail too close to the softer quick much like cutting your own finger nail too close to the nail bed.

To cut or to sand the toenail

There are two common methods in toe nail trimming: cutting and sanding. The “cutting” tools apply pressure to the toenail before it slices the actual nail tissue. Position a scissor-like trimmer at a right angle to the nail. Guillotine-style trimmers alternatively slice whatever protrudes through its stationary opening. The latter tool thus provides a view of the section of nail that is about to be trimmed through its stationary ring. Either cutting tool however, applies pressure that can be unpleasant to your pet and cause it to squirm and want to flee from you and the grooming session.

Affordable yet sophisticated guillotine-style clippers that electronically sense the proximity of the cutting blade to the quick are also available. These clippers provide a visual cue indicating where the nail is safe to cut. With all these cutting tools, it is very important to keep the edge of your trimmer sharp and clean. When using a guillotine-style trimmer, hold the trimmer so that the cutting edge is always facing you. Insert just the toenail (not the quick) through the stationary opening of the trimmer and squeeze so that you slice the nail in one smooth motion.

An alternative style of tool eliminates the need to apply pressure by “sanding” the toenail rather than cutting through it. The sanding technique also lowers the probability of splitting and cracking nails during the trimming process. This technique eliminates the need for a second “filing” phase in the nail treatment; the nail surface is always left smooth. Give your pet time to grow accustom to the sound of the rotary tool motor before you begin your grooming sessions. When using a rotary tool, never file a nail for more than 3-5 seconds. Inspect each nail carefully after filing to determine proximity to the quick or other issues.

The advantage of filing over clipping, especially with light, hand-held rotary tools is obvious. There are no rough surfaces that can catch on fabric or other surfaces after treatment. The experience will also be less traumatizing to both you and your pet. There is a shorter “treatment” time for the trimming of each nail because there is no need to smooth the surfaces after a “guillotine” cut.

Tips for a successful grooming session

Consider providing treats and prior handling of the paws especially around the nails before beginning especially a nail trimming session. Calm your pet by stroking her legs, rubbing her thighs, and gently manipulating her individual toes. The more accustom your pet is to touching her paws, the easier it will be to care for her toenails. Select an area or table that provides comfort to your pet and space for you to gently restrain the animal. Depending on which paws you wish to trim, having the dog lying on its side rather than on its stomach is a recommended position. Depending on the size of your dog, consider draping your arm or upper body over the animal providing little pressure but loads of comforting body contact while you groom. Make certain your pet feels secure and comfortable. If your pet is restless, consider postponing the entire session.

Trimming your pet’s toenails is an incremental process; the less you cut or file each time you trim, the less likely you will cause your pet pain or displeasure. Alternate from toe to toe to maintain your pet’s comfort and patience. Consider turning the paw and approaching the nails from under rather than over the paw pad. From below, you have a better view of the toenail and its layers of tissue. Work from the top part of the toenail where the curling and overgrowth occurs downward; that is where the nail tissue is furthest from the more tender quick. There is a change in texture as you remove layers of nail; the hard toenail transitions to a softer more leathery tissue that covers the soft, sensitive quick. Never trim below the hard toenail. Trim dark-colored claws more slowly with smaller cuts to avoid inadvertently cutting the quick. It is better to cut less and more often than cut the toenails too close to the more sensitive quick. Include the smaller dew claws, located on the leg above the paw in the trimming process.

Short, pleasant sessions are better than long, painful ones. Avoid excessive stress; try to make grooming your pet a positive experience. In case of an emergency, use a styptic pencil, which contains silver nitrate, to reduce blood flow. The bleeding should stop in several minutes. Perform your trimming actions in short, quick, smooth motions to minimize your pet’s anxiety. Avoid excessive trimming. It is better to have shorter, more pleasant grooming sessions than attempt to “take just three more minutes to finish the job!” and risk inadvertently hurting your pet or squander the love, trust, and goodwill she extends to you in her grooming and care.