FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Knowing How to Cut Your Dog’s Nails Keeps Your Dog Tidy and Healthy
Everybody will notice if your dog has a dirty coat. Because a dog’s nails are less visible, they can easily be overlooked. Learning how to cut your dog’s nails is an important skill for a dog owner. It keeps your dog healthy, here you can learn the how and why of trimming dog nails.
Some people prefer the look of their dog with longer nails, or are just plain afraid of clipping their dog’s nails. Some dogs love to “shake hands” with people, but some dogs don’t like their paws being touched. In this article we will share the why and how of clipping your dog’s nails.
This how to series on thepoochlover.com is all about you and your dogs have a happy and healthy life.
Why you need to trim your dog’s nails
Unkempt nails prevents a dog from standing properly flat-footed which can eventually cause joint pain, arthritis even skeletal damage. As a result of the shift of the natural position of the foot this can affect the whole alignment of the leg which can lead to long term damage.
If you were wearing Ill fitting uncomfortable shoes for a long time this would have an effect on the way you walk, in the same way uncut nails can affect a dog’s mobility.
Long nails also make them vulnerable and prone to breaking. If this happens it can cause exposure of nerves and blood vessels and a painful infection can be the result.
Prevention is better than cure and can save your dog pain and discomfort. Good practice also results in less visits to the vet.
ID 77809701 © Keechuan | Dreamstime.com
How to Cut Your Dogs Nails
Before you begin you would need to train your dog to sit and permit it’s paws to be handled, this can be achieved by training your dog to shake paws with you, first with the right paw and then the left paw.
When you are ready to proceed set out the tools you need, namely nail trimmers, nail clippers, electric grinders or nail files depending on their suitability to your dog, this will often be determined by the size of your dog.
Also have on hand Styptic Powder which contains an anti-hemorrhagic component which seals injured blood vessels within seconds and contracts tissue. This powder is vital in the event of you accidentally damaging your dogs nails by clipping them too short.
Nail Trimming 101
If your dog is not used to having nails clipped or is nervous about the procedure, wrap your dog in a bath towel, gently but firmly lift each paw then position your thumb on top of one paw and your fingers of that hand underneath. Then gently press to expose the nail. Snip the tip of the nail which should be the white clear part.
Make sure you do not cut too closely to the pink area of the nail or it will bleed. Immediately praise and treat your dog after the trim session so that your dog does not remember it as an entirely unpleasant experience.
It can be a long and frustrating process but it is worthwhile and also an opportunity to train and bond with your dog.
This recommended product comes with a LED light making clipping your dog’s nails an easy task
It is available at BeeBeeShoppingUSA.com
Thanks for reading
I hope you enjoyed this article, why not share your techniques in the comments box below.
Please do visit our other “how-to” dog articles listed below and on the “how-to” page HERE
More items will be added to the “how-to” page in the next few days and weeks.
Please keep coming back.
Help your Cat and Dog Become Friends
Why and How to Exercise your Dog
We are also recommending a High Quality Dog Training Course Featuring 21 Games To Improve A Dog’s Intelligence And Behavior, Plus Easy Instructions For Training Obedience Commands! Created By A Well Known Professional Dog Trainer. You can find out more HERE
