How to avoid cutting a dog's nails too short

Caring dog owners would never willingly inflict pain on their animal or animals. In fact the opposite is the case and feeding, exercising and grooming are usually done with loving care. You may decide to trim your dog's nails as you think that their length is causing your dog pain.

However, if you trim a dog's nails too short you will inflict some pain and distress to the dog. The pain caused could be worse than the animal would suffer with a slightly overgrown nail. Before you trim your dog's nails read How to trim a dog's nails, to make sure that you have all the information necessary.

Instructions

Step 1

Assess the dog’s nails

Examine your dog's nails in order to assess what needs to be done. It may be that only one or two nails need trimming or perhaps all of the dog's nails will need some attention.

Step 2

The nail’s blood supply

If your dog has pale coloured nails you may be able to see the blood supply, and where it ends, through the nails.

Step 3

Where to make the cut

Your cut must stop short of the end of this blood supply. If it does not the nail will bleed and your dog will feel some pain. In turn this will make the animal nervous about such grooming in the future.

Step 4

General advice for cutting a dog’s nails

Hold your dog gently but firmly.

Take hold of the nail to be cut and line the clippers well below the end of the blood supply.
This blood supply will draw back after about a week.
This means that you can safely cut a little more nail in a short time.
Trimming a dog's nails is often easier with two people.
Be patient and calm.
If your dog is nervous, only trim one or two nails initially. As the dog's and your confidence grows you can cut more.

Follow Helium's How to trim a dog's nails guide to ensure that the nail or nails are not trimmed too short.

Things Needed

Helium's How-To trim your dog's nails guide.

Appropriate nail clippers.

A knowledge of where the dog's blood supply ends in its nails.

Time to do the job properly.

A small quiet area of your home or garden.

Tips & Warnings

Have some Kwik Stop just in case you cut a nail too short and it bleeds.

Leave a week after trimming long nails and then trim a little more.

	Safari Professional Large Nail Trimmer For Dogs Amazon Price: $7.90
	Ergonomic Professional Pet Nail Clippers Large Amazon Price: $8.95
	Nail Clipper with Orange Handle Medium Size Amazon Price: $3.15

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Ethel Smith
Helium member since Jan 26, 07
Number of Guides: 39

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