We have all heard horror stories of dogs bleeding profusely from an owner or groomer’s attempt to trim his or her nails.
The good news is that with a little extra care, you can trim your dog’s nails without having to stress him or her with a trip to the vet’s office or groomer.
The most important thing to be aware of is what is referred to as the “quick” or the end of the veins, nerves and blood vessels. The quick, which is found inside the nail, is usually pink in color and triangular in shape.
Bleeding occurs when a nail is trimmed too short and the quick is cut into. Bleeding can be mild or gushing and can require styptic powder or cauterization.
Identifying the quick is easier on dogs with light-colored nails. Those that have black nails more frequently have the quick cut into because it is almost impossible to see the pink quick amidst the dark nail.
Before embarking on your first nail trim, take time to understand the anatomy of a canine nails. Dog nails are not like human nails. Dog nails are living appendages that have a blood supply and sensitive nerve endings that run down the center of the nail. Human nails are basically flat layers of keratin with a hidden blood supply.
The outer portion of a dog’s nail is hard and has no feeling because it has no nerve endings.
The color of a dog’s nails is usually determined by the color of the hair and skin that surround the nail. This means that a black dog is more likely to have dark nails than a white dog.
The first step to proper nail trimming is to identify the quick. This is best done by taking very thin slivers of nail off at any one time. After the first cut, look closely. You will see a darker arch in the inside of the nail. There should be a white or light-colored tip in the middle of the arch. This is the quick that you want to avoid cutting into.
Stop trimming once you see the quick. Remember that it is better to trim the nails more frequently than to risk taking too much off at any one time.
Frequent nail trimming can actually cause the quick to recede, allowing you to cut the dog’s nails a little shorter each time.
Try to make nail trimming fun for the dog. Refrain from yelling and wrestling the dog’s body into uncomfortable positions. Take time to offer treats and an affectionate pat. It will be a lot easier to accomplish the task if the dog is ready and willing to have you handle his or her paws.
Start your training/trimming sessions while the dog is a puppy. It is a lot easier to teach desirable behavior to a young dog.
If you need a nail trimming lesson, talk to the dog’s vet. Most doctors are very willing to show you how to safely get the job done.
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