Introduction
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is an important part of grooming and maintaining good nail health. Overly long nails can cause pain and mobility issues for dogs. Long nails are also more prone to tearing and breaking, which can lead to infection. Trimming nails regularly keeps them at a healthy length to avoid these problems.
When trimming your dog’s nails, you have two main options – cutting them vertically or horizontally. Vertical cuts are perpendicular to the nail, while horizontal cuts are parallel to the nail. Choosing between these two techniques depends on your preferences, your dog’s nail thickness, and avoiding cutting the quick. The quick is the living tissue inside the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels.
In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of vertical versus horizontal nail trims for dogs. We’ll also cover proper techniques for each cut style to avoid hitting the quick and causing pain and bleeding. With the right information, you can choose the nail cutting method that works best for you and your dog.
Anatomy of Dog Nails
A dog’s nails are made up of several parts:
The quick is the area inside the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. It extends into the nail plate and is visible as a darker pink/red area inside a light-colored nail. It’s important to avoid cutting into the quick when trimming nails as it will cause bleeding and pain.
The nail bed is the white/pink skin under the nail, before the pad. It provides support and protection for the bones and tissues of the toe.
The visible part of the nail is called the nail plate. It is made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair and horns. The nail plate protects the quick underneath.
The vein and nerve run through the quick inside the nail, providing blood supply and sensation.
Why Cut Dog Nails Vertical or Horizontal?
There are pros and cons to cutting a dog’s nails vertically versus horizontally. Here are some of the key considerations:
Vertical Cut Pros:
- Can help avoid hitting the quick by removing just a sliver of nail at a time
- Lower risk of cutting the quick and causing bleeding/pain
- Creates a smoother nail edge
Vertical Cut Cons:
- Takes longer since you are cutting off smaller pieces
- Increases chances of nail splintering if cut too short
- Need very sharp clippers to avoid crushing/splintering
Horizontal Cut Pros:
- Faster process since you remove more nail at once
- Blunts sharp nail points well
- Less precision required
Horizontal Cut Cons:
- Higher risk of hitting the quick
- Can split/splinter the nail if clipped too short
- Leaves a rougher nail edge
In summary, a vertical cut method provides more control and reduces quicking risk, while a horizontal cut is faster but has higher quicking risk. Most veterinarians and groomers recommend a vertical cut, but either can work if done carefully.
How to Cut Dog Nails Vertically
Here are step-by-step instructions for properly cutting your dog’s nails vertically:
1. Gather your supplies – you’ll need a pair of sharp dog nail clippers and some styptic powder or cornstarch in case you cut the quick.
2. Sit on the floor and bring your dog between your legs or have them lie on their side.
3. Hold their paw firmly but gently and spread their toes apart so you can see the nail.
4. Trim a small bit off the tip of each nail. The vertical cut will allow you to take off just a tiny bit at a time.
5. Position the clippers perpendicular to the nail, cutting from top to bottom. Avoid cutting horizontally which risks cutting the quick.
6. Cut straight down the nail gently and stop before you see a gray oval start to appear – this is the quick you want to avoid.
7. Don’t cut too close to the quick – trim only the hook and clear part of each nail.
8. Go slowly and carefully. Only take off small amounts of the nail at a time, making sure not to cut the quick.
9. Give your dog lots of praise and treats for cooperative nail trims!
How to Cut Dog Nails Horizontally
Cutting your dog’s nails horizontally involves holding the clippers perpendicular to the nail:
- Have your dog sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Give them a treat to keep them calm and distracted.
- Hold your dog’s paw firmly but gently. Spread their toes apart so you can see the nail clearly.
- Position the clippers so they are at a 90 degree angle to the nail, perpendicular rather than parallel.
- Place the nail between the clipper blades, aiming to cut just below the quick.
- In one confident motion, squeeze the clippers to make a straight cut across the nail.
- Only cut a small amount of nail at a time, about 1/8 inch, to avoid hitting the quick.
- Use treats and praise throughout to keep your dog still and relaxed.
- Repeat the process for each nail, taking breaks as needed to keep your dog comfortable.
Cutting horizontally reduces the risk of splintering the nail or catching the quick. It gives you the most control and precision. Go slowly and carefully to avoid cutting into the quick.
Avoiding the Quick
When trimming your dog’s nails, it’s important to avoid hitting the quick, which is the blood vessel inside the nail. Cutting into the quick will cause bleeding and pain for your dog. Here are some techniques to avoid hitting the quick:
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Look at the nail first to see where the quick ends. It will appear as a pinkish area inside the nail. Avoid cutting beyond that point.
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Cut only a small amount of the nail at a time, about 1/8 inch. Check to see if you are close to the quick after each snip.
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Use nail clippers designed for dogs, as they have a safety guard to help prevent overcutting.
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Cut nails after a bath when the quick is more visible.
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Use a nail file to smooth sharp edges rather than cutting too close.
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Have someone help hold your dog still while cutting to avoid moving and nicking the quick.
Taking it slowly and carefully when trimming will help avoid hitting the quick. It’s better to cut a little at a time than risk overcutting and hurting your dog.
Signs of Overcutting
If you accidentally cut your dog’s quick while trimming their nails, you may notice a few signs indicating the nail has been overcut:
- Bleeding – You may see some bleeding from the toenail after cutting too short.
- Pain – Your dog may yelp or pull their paw away, signaling you’ve hit the quick.
- Discomfort – They may seem hesitant to walk or put pressure on the paw with the injured nail.
- Licking – Your dog may excessively lick at the paw or nail that has been overcut.
It’s important to stop trimming and apply pressure with a clean towel or styptic powder to stop bleeding if you see any of these signs. The quick contains nerves and blood vessels, so hitting it can be painful and cause bleeding. Keep an eye out for these cues to avoid further irritating an already overcut nail.
Treating an Overcut Nail
If you accidentally cut your dog’s nail too short and hit the quick, the nail will likely start bleeding. Don’t panic, but act quickly to stop the bleeding. Here are some tips for treating an overcut nail:
Apply pressure to the nail with a clean cloth or piece of gauze, using your fingers or the end of the nail clippers to squeeze the nail. Maintain gentle pressure for 2-5 minutes until the bleeding stops. Do not wipe or rinse the wound, as this can disturb any clotting.
If the nail is still bleeding after applying pressure, you can use a styptic powder or pencil specifically for pets to cauterize the wound. These products contain chemicals like potassium permanganate or aluminum sulfate that constrict blood vessels and promote clotting when applied to minor cuts. Just dab a little bit on the end of the nail.
You can also try dipping the nail in flour or cornstarch. The fine particles will help absorb some of the blood and activate clotting. Hold the paw in the powder for a few minutes applying pressure.
If none of these methods stop the bleeding after 10-15 minutes, or if the bleeding is profuse, you’ll need to take your dog to the vet. They can cauterize the nail bed and apply other treatments to stop the bleeding.
Once the nail has stopped bleeding, keep an eye on it for the next few days. Check for signs of infection like persistent bleeding, pus, redness or swelling. Avoid getting the area wet. You can apply antibiotic ointment and wrap the paw in gauze if needed to keep it clean.
Be extra gentle trimming that nail in the future and avoid cutting it short again. With proper care, an overcut nail should heal within a week or so.
When to Seek a Vet
In most cases, a dog owner can safely trim their pet’s nails at home. However, there are certain situations that may require seeking professional veterinary care:
If you accidentally cut the quick and the bleeding does not stop after 10-15 minutes of applying pressure – This indicates a severe nail injury that requires medical treatment.
If the nail is partially detached or hanging off – Trying to cut or remove the nail may cause further damage. Leave it alone and take your dog to the vet.
If the quick is exposed after cutting – The vet can cauterize it to stop bleeding and prevent infection.
If you notice signs of infection – Like redness, swelling, oozing pus, or a foul odor around the nail. This requires antibiotics and cleaning by a vet.
If your dog won’t let you cut their nails – Sometimes anxiety or fear leads dogs to become too aggressive or resistant. A vet can trim the nails safely and humanely.
If the nails are overgrown and curling – Allowing overgrowth can cause pain and mobility issues. Severely overgrown nails require gradual trimming over multiple vet visits.
If your dog has medical conditions – Like diabetes, arthritis, or nerve damage. These require carefully monitored nail care by a professional.
Conclusion
In summary, when trimming your dog’s nails you have two main options – cutting vertically or horizontally. Cutting vertically reduces the risk of hitting the quick, but requires a sharp guillotine clipper and can split the nail. Cutting horizontally follows the nail’s natural curve, but carries a higher risk of hitting the quick if not done carefully.
If cutting vertically, remember to avoid the quick and not cut too short. If cutting horizontally, focus on small slices and cauterize any bleeding with styptic powder. However you cut, pay close attention to avoid overcutting and damaging the quick. Seek a vet if bleeding persists or if the nail is damaged.
The key takeaways are: vertical cuts are safer overall but require a specific tool, while horizontal cuts follow the nail’s shape but have a higher quick risk. Go slowly, check the nail’s interior often, and have styptic powder ready just in case. With practice and caution, you can safely trim your dog’s nails either vertically or horizontally.