Trimming dog's nails is an important part of grooming. If their nails grow too long they begin to get caught on things which can cause injury. The length of time it takes a dog's nails to grow will depend on the type of dog you have and what type of surface he walks on the most. It's a good idea to check your pet's nails once a month to see how long they have grown so you'll know when they need trimmed.
Ideally, the nail should touch the ground when the dogs paw is sitting flat on the floor. If they are any longer than this, it's time for a trim. Below are a few tips that can help make trimming dogs nails as painless as possible.
• Choose a pair of nail clippers designed for dogs that suits your pet the best. If you have a small dog, then you'll need smaller clippers than what you would use for a large dog.
• Make sure the clippers are in good condition and sharp.
• Make sure you and your pet are both relaxed and calm before you start trying to clip his nails.
• Clip a little piece of the nail at a time until you get close to the pale pink part of the nail, which is the quick. If your dog has dark nails, you'll need to look for the black spot in the center of the nail.
• Don't forget to clip the dew claw, which is the one on the inside of his legs.
• Use a nail file to smooth out the rough edges and you're done.
Trimming dog's nails is not difficult but it's vital that you don't cut them too short. If you cut into the quick, it will be painful for your pet and it will bleed easily. This is the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
If you're nervous and having problems trimming your pet's nails, it would be best to have a professional groomer take care of this task for you. Your pet will know if you're uncomfortable and this can make him upset and nervous too.
