Top tips for looking after your dog’s paws
Our dedicated in-house vet, Erin McDaid, shares her expert advice on giving your dog the perfect pawdicure.
Have you ever had an issue with your dog’s claws? They’re too long, too sharp or you’ve found yourself on the receiving end of those ‘playful’ paws? One of the most common trips to the vets is for a regular nail trim.
We often hear:
- How much can I cut off?
- Does it hurt them?
- They will not stop wriggling!
- They try to bite me when I get the clippers or try to hold their paw.
Do not worry! You’re not alone in this battle. We can also sometimes struggle with your dog’s feet, particularly when it comes to wiggly and excitable pups!
The good news is there are a few things you can do to make it a little easier. Read on for our top tips on how to trim your dog’s nails like a pro.
What clippers should I use?
It’s essential to choose the right style of nail clippers for your dog’s nails. There are three different styles of clippers:
- Scissor clippers
- Guillotine clippers
- Grinder trimmers
Personally, I love the scissor clippers as they give me more control and precision when clipping nails. They also come in various sizes for both small and large breed dogs. However for the more nervous dogs they can make quite a noisy ‘CLIP’ sound, which can scare some dogs.
For nervous dogs, the preferred clippers would be a quiet grinder trimmer as they grind down the nails rather than clip them off, avoiding the feeling of pressure and the dreaded ‘CLIP’ noise. However they can take longer for your dog to adjust to and should be considered an investment as they are more expensive than other clipper styles.
How should I hold my dog?
The key to getting your dog’s nails clipped is the way you hold them. Often owners will hold their dog like a baby, belly exposed, in their arms or hold them up by their front legs. This is a very unnatural position for your dog and can be stressful and uncomfortable.
At WagWorks, we use a specific technique to allow them to stand in a natural position whilst holding out their legs, but still offering support and preventing excessive pulling of their legs which helps them stay comfortable and relaxed.
What’s the easiest way to trim my dog’s nails?
Having help can make the whole process a lot easier for you and your pooch.
- Whilst one person holds your dog firmly but comfortably, in a standing position, a second person can gently extend their paw whilst holding the dog’s leg behind their elbow, to avoid them pulling the paw back. This will help stabilise them during the nail clip and prevent them from pulling back.
- If your dog is not a big fan of having a pawdicure and can get a little nippy, the person holding your dog in the standing position can use one arm to hold their head from underneath (resting their head in the crease of their elbow) and turning their head away from your body. This protects the person holding and the person clipping.
- The person clipping should then press gently on their paw pads to help visualise the nails and start clipping.
- If you’re lucky enough to have extra help at home, a third person can help by distracting, offering some strokes or treats.
Too long, too short: How much should I take off?
There are two different types of nail colours:
- White with obvious pink quick
- Black with no signs of the quick
You will need to adapt your technique depending on which type your dog has. Below is a picture of a dog’s quick for reference:
White Nails – Tips & Tricks
If your dog has white nails then congratulations, this will make your job much easier!
When clipping your dog’s nails, all you need to do is make sure you DO NOT clip the quick. The quick appears as a pink colour on your dog’s nails and holds the blood supply (similar to our nails). If you accidentally clip this, it will bleed. If this does happen, don’t worry, just make sure you add firm pressure onto the nail until the bleeding stops. I would recommend a cold compress (cotton pad with cold water).
Black Nails – Tips & Tricks
If your dog has black nails, cutting them will be more of a challenge.
Since you won’t be able to see the quick of your dog’s nails it is very important to not clip more than required. Take a little at a time.
My best trick for black nails is to use your finger and place it horizontally to your dog’s paw and see if the end of the nail is level with this. If not, you can proceed by clipping off the tip.
Continue to use this technique until the nail is level with your dog’s paw pads. Generally, the quick of any dog’s paws will not extend past this level, so this technique should ensure that you don’t accidentally cut into it.
How can I get my dog used to having their nails cut?
To help your dog feel more comfortable with having their nails clipped or even their feet touched, it is essential to offer positive reinforcement when doing anything related to their feet and nails. This could include stroking their legs (including feet), or holding their paw and offering them encouragement and a treat at the same time.
I have learnt that some dogs don’t like the feeling of the cool metal of the clippers. A nice tip for getting them used to the sensation is to practice, placing a metal spoon onto their paw before offering them a treat. You can then slowly introduce the nail clippers at a later stage, using the metal tip to touch your dog’s paw before offering them a treat again. This should help to create a more positive, relaxed reaction to the nail clippers and make it easier to trim their nails.
If in any doubt, feel free to contact the healthcare team at WagWorks to have your dog’s nails clipped or for a demonstration to help you do it safely at home.