How To Trim Your Dogs Nails

Grooming is a vital aspect of pet healthcare, and while it may seem like your dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, guinea pig, etc can wear down their own nails, you will need to be constantly aware of the state of their nails.  Nail care is just as important for our pets as it is for us, and even for the pets who seem to have the situation taken care of by climbing trees and playing outdoors often, we will undoubtedly be trimming their nails ourselves or taking them to a vet or groomer who can do it.

Think about how often we trim our own fingernails or toenails, and now just imagine if we never did it.  Nails can grow very long, long enough to the point of splitting to the quick or curling back into their paws (which can cause injury and severe pain), and long nails can harbor dirt and bacteria concoctions that we don’t even want to think about.  

Small Animals  (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, ect)

Small mammals will need their nails trimmed regularly since they are less likely to wear down their nails on the sidewalk or climbing fences and trees.

Equipment

You could buy specialized nail trimmers just for small animals, but due to the small size of the nails and thinner nail thickness (rather than thick nails like a dog), human fingernail clippers or toenail clippers should suffice.  We have shown a picture of both human and small animal nail clippers.  Have a towel to hold your pet in and to collect nails.

Procedure

Small animals that are not fussy during this process will be a breeze.  With your pet wrapped in a towel, take one toe gently at a time, and trim the excess nail just past the blood vessel.  Be careful with fussy animals, and just clip a couple nails at a time or take your pet to a vet who has the expertise working with overanxious animals.

Check out our dog and cat nail clippers in our online store!

Dogs and cats have thicker nails that need specialized clippers. 
These clippers are safe and easy to grip. 
A towel may also be helpful to wrap your pet in depending on the size of your pet and their reaction to having nails clipped.

Each dog and cat is going to exhibit their own unique reaction to having their nails clipped.  Some don’t mind the procedure too much while some others may find the process a little scary.  Limiting accidents (cutting the nail too close to a blood vessel) and starting this grooming process at the earliest age in a dog or cat’s life will help them be desensitized to anything potentially scary about having their nails trimmed.  Consider having a helping had around if you anticipate any challenges!

Taking a paw in hand, clip each nail according to the diagram at the top of this post.  Remember that dogs and cats have five claws; four grouped together and the dew claw.  Be very careful when concerning black toenails where the blood vessel is difficult to spot.  If you nick the blood vessel, corn starch, styptic ointment, or tissue is good to have on hand.

Watch this video demonstration on how to Trim your dogs nails.

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