Dog nails = clipping

**RubyPiggie2** · #1 04-11-05, 06:03 pm

How do you clip dog nails?

**lindsey's boys** · #2 04-11-05, 06:33 pm

We use dog nail clippers, i'm not sure where we got them. Although, I think when they get a check up from the vet they also get their nails trimmed.

**RubyPiggie2** · #3 04-11-05, 07:42 pm

But how to you clip them? I know there is a special type of clippers... How can I tell if I'm going too far down, or what?

**lindsey's boys** · #4 04-11-05, 08:17 pm

I usually sit with my dogs and comfort them, my mom does most of the cutting. So I'm not really sure. Sorry

**lindsey's boys** · #5 04-11-05, 08:30 pm

These are the two we use. All I know is you press the handle and they cut.

**VoodooJoint** · #6 04-11-05, 10:33 pm

You need to be careful of the quick. The quick is the blood vessel that is in the nail. If you cut it it is very painful for the dog and bleeds a lot.

If your dog has light colored nails you can usually see the quick. It looks like a pinkish crescent moon coming down the inside of the nail. Only cut within 1/4 inch of it. Any closer and you are risking nicking it.

If your dog has very dark nails then you will not be able to see the quick. In these cases I recommend you have a vet do it and show you exactly how. It is too difficult to explain in words without being able to show you.

**Trixie** · #7 04-11-05, 11:35 pm

What I do is place the clippers against the paw insert the nail in the clippers. Usually you get the right measurements this way. Or you can use a flashlight to see under the dark nails this works with smaller dogs.
Yes it is painful if you cut the quick. But to stop the bleeding you do the same with your dog as you do with a cavy. They do bleed a little but it isn't all that bad. Most hear that your dog can bleed to death. This is NOT true.
Doing the paw thing works well. That clips the nails to the length that the paw rests on the ground. That way your not cutting to short. And they are still long enough for them to use properly. If you have ever watched a vet trim nails this is the way my vets do it. And this is the same way we did it when we trimed out dogs before a show or rehoming them.
If your dog is kept outside and digs alot, or chews on there nails they shouldn't need to be cut. Most dogs keep them pretty much trimmed on there own. Indoor dogs are really the only ones that need there nails trimmed. (a quote from my vet)

User Name		Remember Me?
Password