Dog Nail Trimming: How to Avoid Cutting the Quick

Can you hear your dog walking around the house with their long nails hitting the floor? If the answer is yes, your pup may benefit from you learning how to trim their nails properly.

The quick of your dog’s nails will be reddish pink if their nails are clear or white. If your pup’s nails are black, the quick of their nail will be grey. You can avoid cutting the quick by trimming the nails in small increments and stopping and checking for the quick after each nail is cut.

Be careful not to cut the quick when giving your dog a pawdicure, as it is painful for them. If you want to know more about dog nail trimming and how to avoid cutting the quick, check out this article.

What is a Dog’s Quick and How to Avoid it

The “quick” on your dog’s nails look different for white and black nails. The quick will appear pink or red on white or clear nails and is highly visible. The only way to see the quick on black nails is to cut the nail until you see the pulp, which will appear grey. The quick is mainly located above the curve of the nail, providing nourishment to the nail.

Since the quick of the nail contains nerves and blood vessels, injuring the quick is tremendously painful for your pup. The main idea of grooming your dog’s nails is to cut them correctly, so they remain healthy and avoid damaging the quick. Cutting into the quick will also cause it to bleed. The amount it bleeds depends on how far down the quick you cut the nail.

What Are the Steps to Trimming My Dog’s Nail

If you are not confident you can trim your canine’s nails without cutting into the quick, you may need your veterinarian to show you how to do it. Trimming your pup’s nails is essential to dog grooming; if their nails are too long, they can curl back into the paw pad. It may also be painful for them to walk with long nails.

The following includes the steps to trim your dog’s nails correctly:

• Before trimming their nails, get your dog used to handling their paws. Touch their paws, nails, and between their toes to prepare them.
• Give your dog treats- Every time you handle their feet, and they behave, give them a treat. You want them to associate being handled with something positive, as you do not want them to be fearful when you go to trim their nails.
• Once your pup is comfortable- Grab a paw with a gentle but firm grip, put your thumb on the toe pad, and have the forefinger on top of the toe just above the nail.
• Extend the nail- Push the thumb lightly on the foot pad to reveal the nail
• Start trimming little by little- Cut the very tip of the nail first, cutting straight across
• Do not trim past the curve of the nail- Proceed with caution, and avoid cutting down to the quick

You want to cut about one-sixth of an inch of the nail with each clip. However, do not overreact if you accidentally cut the nail down to the quick. It could frighten your pup, and you do not want them to make negative associations with you handling them. Give your pup treats and cuddles when you have finished trimming their nails. You want to make the experience as positive as possible for your dog.

How Frequently Should I Cut My Dog’s Nails?

You should make nail trimming a regular part of your dog’s grooming routine. The time you can wait before you cut your pup’s nails should depend on how quickly they grow. Generally, you can allow three to four weeks to pass to trim your pup’s nails again. You can also cut smaller amounts of the nails more often, which is ideal for squirmy or disagreeable dogs.

What Happens if I Cut the Nail Too Short?

Nail-trimming accidents are common, especially when you first begin cutting your dog’s nails. When trimming your pup’s nails, you want to keep certain items within the paw’s reach. Styptic powder is the best way to stop the bleeding when trimming your pup’s nails too short. It is a favorite product among veterinarians and groomers.

You can place your dog’s nails directly into the powder or have an applicator, such as a Q-tip, ready to go. Styptic powder facilitates blood clotting and keeps bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Kwik Stop is a popular product you can use. To stop the bleeding, you can also apply cornstarch, flour, baking soda, or a soap bar.

What About Grinding My Dog’s Nails?

You will likely need to use a grinding tool more often to keep your dog’s nails trimmed. Dog nail grinders are safe when grooming your pup’s nails—even low-noise dog nail grinders for pups who do not do well with loud noises. You will grind your dog’s nails in small increments with a dog nail grinder, which is safe when trying to avoid the quick.

Dog nail grinders often give dogs a smoother, more polished appearance. Since proper grooming can make your pup look and feel good, utilizing this tool is something you should consider. Dog nail grinders can also lessen the occurrence of an unkempt, split, or cracked nail situation that can be uncomfortable for your dog.

Dog grinders may also offer more control when trimming your canine’s nails, as you are more likely to trim down to the quick when using dog clippers. You will also need to apply more pressure when trimming nails that are on the thick side, which can hurt when using clippers. A grinder can be more appropriate for pups with thick, hard-to-cut nails.

The Best Tools for Dog Nail Trimming

If you want to trim your dog’s nails, you need the right tool. A good agency will allow trimming your dog’s nails to be a smoother process. The following include some of the best tools for this process:

• Best Auto Nail Clippers- Oster Gentle Paws Less Stress Canine and Feline Nail Grinder
• Best Clipper with Light- Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder
• Best Clippers on a Budget- Andis Pet Animal Nail Clipper
• Best Nail Clippers for Large Dogs- Epica #1 Best Professional Nail Clipper
• Best Nail Clippers for Small Dogs- Coastal Pet-Safari-Professional Canine Nail Trimmer
• Best Nail Grinder- Dremel PawControl Canine Nail Grinder and Trimmer

The Dremel grinder and trimmer may be your best option if you have never cut your dog’s nails. Even though it is expensive, it is considered a quality grinder, giving you a good cut at the perfect angle.

Conclusion

Dog nail trimming and grooming does not need to be stressful. Once you learn the correct way to trim your pup’s nails without cutting the quick, you can help your canine companion feel more confident and make walking around safer and more comfortable for them.

For dog parents in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area, The Village Vets are available to serve you and your dog. Call us today at (484) 820-1700 or make an appointment!