There are many advantages to being the proud owner of a pup. This is including wagging tails, sloppy kisses, and unwavering loyalty. However, having a dog as a pet includes a large amount of responsibility as well. Dog nail trimming can be difficult, particularly if your dog won’t cooperate. But it is critical to keep your canine’s nails sharp to maintain them healthy and content.
It’s good to know that dog nail trimming doesn’t have to be a struggle. We’re providing nail trimming tips to help you and your dog get through this process more smoothly, so that you won’t be forced to dread it.
Why is Regular Dog Nail Trimming Important?
Long nails can cause a variety of issues when your dog’s nails grow too long. Furthermore, long nails can make walking uncomfortable and difficult for your dog.
If that isn’t painful enough, unkempt nails are prone to splitting and cracking. An untrimmed nail might grow into your dog’s pads or snag and be torn off. Both of these incidents will require veterinary care.
Even the most well-behaved dogs can inadvertently damage flooring and furniture if their nails are overgrown. It may be tempting to ignore this dreaded task. But ignoring it is not worth the potential pain and suffering for you or your pup.
Let’s look at some ways to make nail trimming a little less difficult for both of you.
How to Help Your Dog Get Comfortable for Nail Trims
Your dog feeling anxious or fearful about having their nails cut is typical. This is particularly true if this is their first time.
It’s important to regularly rub a dog’s paws and start regular trims from a young age, even if you don’t clip much off, in order for them to become familiar with the routine.
Prior to and during nail trimming, you can help your older dog relax. Your dog may become overly fearful or aggressive if you try to trim their nails, so don’t force them. Accidental injury to you or your pet may result if you don’t heed this warning.
Some dogs may need sedation medications to help them relax. Your vet can advise you on the correct dosage and usage of these drugs, which may help sedate or calm anxious dogs. Please do not give your dog any medication without first speaking with your vet.
What About CBD for Nail Trimming?
The truth is that CBD can help calm your pup’s nerves before nail trimming. It’s true that CBD is safe for pets to use. CBD is one of the fastest-growing pet products on the market today. This is thanks to its 100% natural, side-effect-free formulation.
In fact, CBD comes with a lot of benefits other than relaxation for pets. CBD can reduce pain, treat depression and anxiety, and help calm seizures, in addition to providing a soothing experience during pet grooming. Vets should always monitor pets taking CBD and ensure they don’t take more than recommended.
If you are unsure about giving your pooch CBD before nail trimming, please contact your veterinarian with questions.
Choosing the Right Trimmers for Success
Establishing a routine and sticking to it is the key to successful dog nail trimming. Whether you trim your dog’s nails every week or once a month, consistency is crucial.
A dog learning to accept nail trimming as part of life will help you establish a routine. But the right dog nail trimmers can make all the difference.
What are the best dog nail trimmers?
There are several types of dog nail trimmers available, but the majority fall into two categories: trimmers and grinders.Nail trimmers cut through your dog’s nails at a desired length by simply inserting them and squeezing the handles. Some models have safety guards to prevent cutting too short. But for the most part, this is a simple, straightforward tool that gives precise cuts.
The Safari Professional Nail Trimmers is a great nail grooming set for dogs of any size and breed. It comes with a variety of specialized clippers for nail trimming and paw grooming.
There are several dangers associated with using nail clippers on your dog, and you must proceed cautiously. Click here to learn more about this.
Are Nail Grinders a Good Idea?
A nail grinder is a small, battery-powered device similar to a Dremel tool. A cone-shaped head that covers the dog’s nail is accompanied by spinning rotary blades that remove the nail to a blunt finish.
Using a nail grinder instead of traditional nail clippers has several advantages:
- The nail is ground down gradually to avoid over-filing, making it safe and easy to use.
- Your dog’s paws are protected from injury and infection because no cuts are made.
- There are even waterproof models for dogs who enjoy swimming, so the motor is quiet and less jarring than clippers.
- The Dremel Pet Nail Grooming Tool is an excellent choice if you are looking for a dog nail clipper alternative. This tool is both safe and easy to use, and it is a bit more expensive than standard nail trimmers.
Pro Tip: Avoid the Nail Quick at All Costs
It is crucial to avoid cutting the nail quick no matter which method you use to trim your dog’s nails. Nerves and blood vessels are contained in your dog’s quick, the pink portion of the nail.
If you accidentally clip the quick, your dog will become reluctant to have their nails cut again. Cutting the quick results in bleeding and considerable pain.
Try these tips to avoid cutting the nail quick:
- Pay close attention to how you trim your dog’s nails in order to avoid cutting the quick.
- It’s important to cut your dog’s nails straight across, and never too short.
- Cut a little bit of nail at a time, checking the quick between each cut. The quick will recede slightly with each nail trimming, so you will eventually be able to trim your dog’s nails more easily.
- It may bleed a lot if you accidentally nick the quick.
- The quickest way to stop bleeding is to use styptic powder. Styptic powder constricts blood vessels and cleans wounds, acting as an antiseptic clotting agent.
- You should always keep a bottle of it with you when grooming your pet, but if you don’t have any, apply gentle pressure to the cut until the bleeding stops if you are caught without it.
Is it Time for Dog Nail Trimming?
Contact us at Main Street Veterinarians if your dog needs a nail trim. This is especially true if your dog’s nails are excessively long and are biting or scratching at them.
Contacting a vet is the best way to ensure that your dog’s nails are trimmed correctly and safely. When you are not confident in trimming your dog’s nails, it’s best to have your veterinarian do it. If your dog is uncooperative, this is the best way to have peace of mind.
Pets need regular nail trimming to keep their nails neat and prevent them from becoming ingrown. At Main Street Vet, we are happy to assist you with this. To reduce your dog’s stress as well as your own, please contact us to set up an appointment.
