Trimming a dog’s nails is an important part of grooming and maintaining their health. Dog nails continuously grow and without regular trimming can become painfully long. Long nails can catch on objects, tear, or split which can be very painful for dogs. Keeping your dog’s nails neatly trimmed to an appropriate length is essential for their comfort and preventing issues.
In this article, we will discuss the anatomy of dog nails, the importance of nail trims, whether it hurts dogs to have their nails cut, tips for trimming without pain, signs you’ve cut the quick, what to do if you quick the nail, frequency of trimming, and professional grooming options.
Anatomy of Dog Nails
A dog’s nails consist of several parts including the nail bed, quick, and nail matrix.
The nail bed is the soft tissue under the nail that has nerves and blood vessels. The quick contains nerves and blood vessels that supply the nail https://pawsafe.com/blogs/claw-care/dog-toenail-anatomy. If the quick is cut too short, it will bleed and be painful for the dog.
As new nail grows, it pushes the quick along with it. The nail matrix at the base of the nail produces cells that become hardened keratin, which makes up the nail. The keratin continues growing and extends past the end of the toe as the nail. Dogs’ nails grow continuously.
Why Trim Dog Nails?
Trimming a dog’s nails regularly is important for maintaining good foot health. Overly long nails can curl and split, which can be painful for the dog and lead to infection. Trimming the nails helps prevent these injuries from occurring (Source).
Long nails can also cause a dog’s feet to splay unnaturally when they walk, putting stress on their legs, joints, and paws. This abnormal gait can lead to arthritis and other orthopedic issues over time. Keeping the nails short allows a dog to walk normally and comfortably (Source).
Overall, regular nail trims are a simple way to maintain good foot health and prevent pain or injuries. Short nails allow a dog to play, exercise, and move about comfortably and safely.
Does It Hurt Dogs?
Cutting into the quick of the nail, which contains nerves and blood vessels, can cause pain and bleeding. The quick usually extends close to the end of the nail, but not all the way to the tip. Trimming just the end of the nail avoids the quick and should not cause pain as long as you don’t trim too short.
According to How To Cut A Dog’s Nails, cutting into the quick causes brief pain and bleeding, though the bleeding stops quickly when pressure is applied. Dogs may also exhibit signs of pain like yelping or pulling their paw away.
As explained on How do you cut a Goldendoodle face?, leaving nails to overgrow can cause even more pain than trimming. Long quicks have extended blood vessels and nerves, making them prone to injury and infection.
So while hitting the quick may momentarily hurt, regular trimming is important for dogs’ comfort and health. With care and the right technique, nail trims can be quick and painless.
How to Trim Without Pain
The key to trimming your dog’s nails without pain is to avoid hitting the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. Here are some tips:
Only trim the dead nail that extends past the quick. The quick is the pink/red part inside the nail. Avoid cutting this area, as it will be painful and cause bleeding.
Use high-quality nail clippers designed specifically for dogs. Look for ones with a safety guard to help you avoid over-trimming into the quick.
Introduce nail trimming slowly and make it a positive experience. Give your dog treats while handling their paws and clipping just a tiny bit at first. Over time, they will become more comfortable with regular trims.
If your dog struggles, try just doing one paw per session. Go slow and keep things low-stress. With patience, your dog will learn nail trims don’t have to hurt.
Knowing how to properly trim into just the dead nail, using the right tools, and taking it slow can help prevent any pain for your dog.
Signs of Quicking
If you accidentally cut into the quick while trimming your dog’s nails, there will be some clear signs that you’ve hit this sensitive area. The main signs to look out for include:
Dog yelps or pulls paw away – If your dog suddenly cries out in pain or tries to pull its paw away while you’re cutting the nails, you’ve likely hit the quick. The quick is very sensitive, so even just nicking it can cause discomfort.
Nail bleeds and is sensitive – The biggest indicator you’ve hit the quick is bleeding from the nail. You may also see the pinkish quick exposed once you clip into it. The area will be very sensitive to the touch.
According to this article, if bleeding does occur from hitting the quick, stop trimming immediately. Apply pressure to the nail with a clean cloth or paper towel until the bleeding stops.
What to Do if You Quick
Accidentally hitting the quick while trimming your dog’s nails can be alarming, but try to remain calm. Here’s what you should do if you quick your dog’s nail:
Apply pressure – If the nail is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean towel or cloth to slow and stop the bleeding. Styptic powders or gels made for pets can also quickly constrict blood vessels when applied to the nail.
Comfort your dog – Speak in a soothing voice and give treats to comfort your dog and distract from any pain. End the trimming session to avoid any more stress.
See the vet – For severe bleeding that won’t stop, you may need a vet’s assistance. They can cauterize the wound and provide antibiotics if needed to prevent infection.
With the right care, a minor quicking will heal on its own. But be extra gentle handling that paw and nail while it mends.
Frequency of Trimming
The frequency with which a dog’s nails need to be trimmed can vary substantially based on the dog’s activity level and environment. As a general rule, the average dog’s nails should be trimmed every 2-4 weeks.
More active dogs or older dogs with less active lifestyles may need more frequent nail trims, like every 2 weeks. Their nails grow faster because they walk and run more on harder surfaces like sidewalks. This increased activity and friction causes their nails to dull down and become overgrown more quickly.
On the other hand, relatively inactive dogs may only need their nails trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Dogs that primarily stay indoors and walk on carpets do not experience as much friction and wear on their nails, so their growth is slower.
Regardless of activity level, it’s important to routinely inspect and trim your dog’s nails before they get overgrown. Long nails can curl, split, and tear, causing pain and problems walking. Aim to trim your dog’s nails at least every 4 weeks. For very active dogs, every 2 weeks may be best.
Cite: https://wagmo.io/blog/trim-dogs-cats-nails
Professional Grooming
Taking your dog to a professional groomer for regular nail trims has many benefits. Professional groomers are trained on the proper techniques for clipping nails in a way that avoids hitting the quick. They have the knowledge and tools to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
When looking for a groomer, be sure to find one experienced in trimming dog nails. Ask them about their process and tools they use. Many groomers will use specialized grinders that gently file down the nails. This is often less stressful for dogs than clippers. Look at reviews and ask for references to find a groomer that is caring, patient, and skilled.
The investment of a professional groomer pays off in avoiding painful quicks and keeping your dog’s nails neatly trimmed. Their expertise and quality tools will get the job done right. Regular professional trims will make the process faster and easier on both you and your dog.
Conclusion
Regular nail trimming is essential for your dog’s health and comfort. While it may seem daunting at first, with patience and the proper technique, nail trims can become a regular part of caring for your dog without being stressful or painful. The quick contains nerves and blood vessels, so hitting it will be painful and cause bleeding, but this can be avoided by trimming only a small amount at a time. Look for signs you’re getting close to the quick, like light pink color and the appearance of a bullseye. If you do hit the quick, apply pressure and styptic powder. With practice, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to trim your dog’s nails safely and humanely.
In summary, dog nail trimming keeps your dog’s nails short, preventing issues like infections, embedded debris, and damage from scratches. While an anxious dog or wiggling puppy can make it challenging, go slow, give praise and treats, and make it a regular habit. With the right technique and tools like clippers and a nail file, you can maintain your dog’s nail length easily at home. Well-trimmed nails are an important part of keeping your dog healthy and happy.
