Cutting your dog or cat’s nails isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always fun.
The easiest way? Have a pro do it. Every time my mutts hit the vet’s, I ask for a nail trim. So that takes care of two months out of the year… the other ten months are my problem.
But… a puppy pedicure doesn’t have to be traumatic.
Some dogs don’t actually need help keeping their nails short. The claws may wear down naturally. My dog sister, Becca, never needed trimming for the longest time — but she also got multiple walks on a paved sidewalk daily (cement is nice and scratchy!) plus my parents had this weird sandpapery floor tile that kept her toesies evenly worn.
Pretty Becca and her neat nails!
There aren’t too many dogs who like having their paws touched. Add in the weird thing mommy is using and the weird noise it makes, and you might have a game of grab the paw on your hands. A groomer friend once suggested that I only cut one or two nails at a time. That way, the traumatic part is over quickly… and the dog gets used to having his paws touched and held on a regular basis.
If you look at your dog’s nails, you can see a sort of outside layer and an inside layer. The inside layer is the part that is still alive, and has blood vessels running through it. You don’t want to cut this part — but it’s not the end of the world if you do. Slide your nail trimmer over the end of the nail, hold the paw steady, and squeeze. You and your pup will probably jump a little the first time you try it.
Keep this in mind: It’s generally better to cut too little and have to try again than to cut too deep and panic because your baby is bleeding. I cried the first time I nicked one of Lally’s toes! A styptic pencil can be used to stop the bleeding. Don’t have one handy? I sure didn’t. Corn starch works just as well. Or press a piece of tissue to the wound. Or do like I did in my teary panic and let her just bleed on your pillow. Either way, it stops pretty quickly.
You can always ask your vet or groomer for a demonstration, too. Good luck!
Aimee