05/03/2025
We have created a little video to give you an idea of how we clip your dogs nails when we take your pet down to the back of the practice.
Lylla was the willing participant for our video and as you can see they get a cuddle from a staff member holding them, with plenty of treats to keep them distracted.
How to cut a dog’s nails:
- First, away from your dog, practice how to hold and use your dog’s nail clippers.
- When you’re ready to clip your dog’s nails, have some high-value treats ready. Sit or stand your dog on the floor or, if your dog is very small or you are more comfortable standing up, place them on a non-slip surface where you can handle them easily. You might need to ask someone to help, to ensure your dog doesn’t fall off. You’ll need good lighting so that you can see the nails clearly.
- Lift up one paw at a time, so you’re looking at the underside. Using your thumb on the pad of the toe and your forefinger to support the furry side of the toe at the base of the nail, squeeze gently to straighten the tip of the toe and extend the nail properly.
- If you can see clearly where the quick finishes, you should be able to trim the nail tip confidently. If you can’t see the quick, you’ll need to nibble away at the nail until you are happy with the shape, stopping if you see the centre of the cut surface changing colour to pink or red, as this is the sensitive quick coming into view.
- When you clip, it will be more comfortable for your dog if the nail isn’t squeezed around the quick. With this in mind, rotate the clippers so that the blades cut from the top to the bottom surfaces of the nail, rather than from side to side. You might be able to take the tip off a nail in one clean cut, but if not, you can nibble off little slivers and work your way around it that way.
- Every so often, let your dog’s foot down so you can check to see whether you need to trim any further. Aim to have the finished nail so that its tip does not touch the ground when your dog is standing squarely.