When trimming your dog’s black toenails, follow these guidelines:
- Go slowly
- Hold your dog’s paw firmly but gently
- Position the clippers to cut the nail from top to bottom (not side to side)
- Trim a very small length of the nail, about 1/16th of an inch
How to trim black dog nails the safest way?
- Hold your dog’s paw in your hand gently and separate the toes, exposing one nail at a time.
- If your dog has a lot of hair around his paws, go ahead and trim the hair so that you can get a better view of the nail.
- Firmly hold the clippers in your hand. They should run parallel to the nail, never across it. ...
- Insert the nail into the clippers.
How often should you trim your dog's nails?
The amount of time between nail trims depends on how quickly your dog’s nails grow and how quickly they are worn down. The average dog should have his nails clipped every three to four weeks, but it should be done as often as needed to keep the nail from touching the ground when your dog is standing.
How can I easily trim my dogs nails?
Trim Your Dog’s Extremely Overgrown Nails Using A Clipper: Start cutting your pup’s nails with a trimmer, preferably a Safari Nail Clipper. Take a gradual, bit by bit trim bit and be careful of the quick, keep trimming, while you angulate at 45-degrees. Remember: Cut small portions of the nails bit by bit, don’t trim larger parts of the ...
How do you cut black nails on your dog?
Cut bits by bits, start with a very small portion of the nail, about 1/16th of an inch. Keep the very small cuts going and be looking at the end of your dog’s nail after each one. Once you get closer to the quick, the center of the nail will appear black, and may look pink right before the quick.
How do you know where the quick is on black dog nails?
1:372:20HOW TO FIND THE QUICK ON DARK DOG NAILS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt into your dog's nail. And you can just about see right the end of the quick. So it might you canMoreIt into your dog's nail. And you can just about see right the end of the quick. So it might you can see like the red blood. And you can see the end of it and all of it. So you know how far to cooked.
How long should Black Dog nails be?
Basically, you want to cut no more than 1/6th of an inch of nail with each clip. Clip and check, clip and check. If you see nothing but white, you're still trimming just nail and haven't reached the pulp yet. If you see a circle of black ringed by white, you've reached the pulp and have trimmed enough.
How do I know where the quick is on my dog's nails?
To view the quick of the nail, gently lift your dog's paw and look at the center of the unclipped nail head-on. If the nail has a small dark circle at the center, it indicates the beginning of the quick of the nail. Do not clip any nail that has a circle in the center as you'll be clipping into the quick.
Are black nails normal for dogs?
Some dogs naturally have different colored nails. Different colored nails in dogs occur from natural pigmentation, which can differ among dogs even of the same breed. In fact, some puppies may start out with white nails (or a mix of white, black, or beige) that slowly turn black or darker as they age.
Why cut black nails on dogs?
By cutting a dog’s black nails up to the pulp, this encourages the quick to recede. This is what you want. It helps your dog to stay in good health and helps avoid painful problems from long or overgrown nails in the future.
What is a quick on a dog's nails?
The quick is the part of the nail that is colored differently and closer to the dog’s leg. On some nails, the quick will appear pink and the actual nail will appear white, while on others, it may appear black on black. This is when it becomes more difficult.
Why does my dog's toe hurt when he walks?
Imagine trying to walk around with your toes curled under your feet. When the dogs can’t walk properly, it puts a lot of unnecessary strain on their muscles and their spine. If the nails grow too long, they can become ingrown, and those ingrown nails are prone to infection and cause your dog a lot of pain .
How do you know if your dog's nails are too long?
To tell if your dog’s nails are too long, you can see if you hear their claws click against a hard floor or path when they walk. If their claws are clicking against tile, timber or concrete floors, they need to be trimmed.
Can you use a dremel to file dog nails?
If you want to file their nails, it’s best to use a Dremel dog nail grooming tool which is an abrasive rotating tool. Don’t hold the Dremel rotating tool on your dog’s nails for too long at any one time because it can become hot.
Can you use a nail clipper for a dog?
You can choose to use nail clippers or nail files to shorten your dog’s nails, depending on which you feel more comfortable using. The clippers are quicker, while you’re less likely to have an accidental cut with a file. This Dremel Pet Grooming Set is very popular with dog parents. Click the Image to see Today’s Price.
Do Epica nail clippers cut nails?
When you make the cut on the nail, you only need to use a gentle squeeze on the clippers to do it. These nail clippers do not merely squeeze the nail off at the end like some poor quality clippers. The Epica clippers have a very sharp cutting blade to slice the end of the nail off easily.
Tips
If you’re using a Dremel tool, simply turn the grinder on and gently hold it against the underside of the nail, near the front. With a Dremel tool, simply move it back and forth in a very slow, even pattern. Continue wearing the tip of the nail down until the edge of the nail is above the paw pads.
About this article
This article was co-authored by Lancy Woo and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years.
Cutting vs. grinding
A dog’s nails can be trimmed in two ways: using pet-friendly nail clippers or a grinder. The first is the most common, but there are Dremel-type tools made especially for dogs that make grinding nails down much safer. Grinding can be useful for very large breeds with very thick nails that are harder to clip.
How to get your puppy used to having their paws touched
Like so many other things, dogs can adjust to having their paws touched. If you bring home a puppy, start right away by gently touching theirs. Get them used to having their pads massaged. Practice gently pressing their pads to push their nails further out. Do this for a few moments each day so they get used to it.
Prepare for nail cutting
First thing’s first: Have some styptic powder on hand. This powder will help blood vessels contract if you accidentally cut your dog’s quick and the nail starts bleeding. Sprinkling some powder on the nail will help to stop the bleeding.
How to safely cut black dog nails
When it’s time to cut your dog’s black nails, hold their paw gently but firmly in your hand. Place your thumb on the pad of the toe, then place your forefinger on top of their toe. Push against the pad with your thumb while gently pulling backward with the thumb. At the same time, gently push forward with your forefinger.
How to cut a dog's nails with clippers?
Make sure the blade is facing you and at a 30-degree angle. If it’s facing the other way around, it will cut more than you want to. Insert the nail into the clippers. To be sure you are not cutting into the quick, squeeze the nail lightly and check the dog’s reaction. Be careful not to squeeze too much.
Why are my dog's nails black?
You can’t see the quick in the nail when it is black and because of that you have to have special techniques to make sure that you are clipping correctly. Most dogs have black nails from birth, other dogs develop nails that turn black, ...
How to crush a dog's toenail?
They can crush the nail. Always use proper clippers or grinders. Hold your dog’s paw in your hand gently and separate the toes, exposing one nail at a time. If your dog has a lot of hair around his paws, go ahead and trim the hair so that you can get a better view of the nail. Firmly hold the clippers in your hand.
What to do if your dog yanks its paw away?
If your dog yanks it’s paw away, you MIGHT be up too far and in danger of cutting the quick. If it feels spongy or soft, STOP! That is the quick. Take your clippers and cut the very tip of the nail and look at what is left there. If you see a lot of white, then you are safe to cut more.
How to make a dog's nails smooth?
Once you have worn down a bit of the nail, make sure that the sides are done as well so that you can create a nice smooth nail all the the way around the tip. Lift up the dog’s leg, get a firm grip of the paw and separate the toes, so you can work with one of the nails.
Can you use a dremel to file a dog's nails?
You can use a Dremel for filing a dog’s nails instead of clipping them. Important: Please be sure that you do not hold the Dremel on the nail for very long. It could get hot and that would not be comfortable for your dog, so after a few seconds, take the Dremel off the bottom of the nail and start again.
How long does it take for a dog to get used to nail trimming?
Getting Your Dog Comfortable. In as little as one week, you can have one of those rare dogs who doesn’t mind nail trimming one bit. But, if it takes your pup a little longer to get used to it, don’t despair. Be patient, keep a gentle and positive attitude, and continue to offer praise and treats.
What to do if your dog's nails are too short?
It’s a good idea to have some styptic powder or other clotting powder on hand to stop bleeding in case you cut a nail too short. “If you’ve never clipped a dog’s nails before, you may want to have your veterinarian or vet tech give you a lesson on how to do it,” suggests Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC’s chief veterinary officer.
How to make a dog feel comfortable?
Getting Your Dog Comfortable 1 Day 1: Let your puppy sniff the nail clipper or grinder. Give a treat and praise. 2 Day 2: Touch the nail clipper or grinder lightly to each paw. Give a treat and praise. 3 Day 3: Touch the nail clipper to each paw and squeeze the clipper so the puppy hears the sound, or turn the grinder on and let the puppy feel the vibration. Don’t actually trim a nail. Give a treat and praise. 4 Day 4: Touch the nail clipper or grinder to your puppy’s feet again. Give a treat and praise. 5 Day 5: Try trimming off just the very tiniest tip from one front paw nail. Only do one nail. Offer lots of happy praise and a treat if your puppy lets you. Even if he lets you, just do one. Repeat every day until he lets you do this and doesn’t seem to mind. 6 Day 6: Try trimming just the tip off of just two nails. 7 Day 7: Keep working your way up, trimming additional nails each day, until you’ve got them all and your puppy doesn’t mind. Practice even when you don’t need to clip a nail. Even pretending you are clipping and going through the motions help your pup get used to the whole process.
What is the purpose of nail trimming?
nail care. Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming, and trim nails are one clear sign of your dog’s good health and hygiene. Professional groomers will perform the task for squeamish owners, but dog nail trimming is a simple procedure if done correctly. Since nail trimming can be an anxiety-laden experience for many dogs, ...
How to grind a dog's toe?
Only grind a small part of your dog’s nail at a time. Support the dog’s toe firmly but gently. Grind across the bottom of the nail and then carefully in from the tip of the nail, smoothing rough edges. For better control, hold the grinder higher up, towards the top.
How to get a dog to lick his toes?
Pick up a paw and firmly, but gently, place your thumb on the pad of a toe and your forefinger on the top of the toe on the skin above the nail. Make sure none of your dog’s fur is in the way. Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad, while pushing your forefinger forward . This extends the nail.
Can dogs sit on the table while you clip their nails?
Some dogs will sit in your lap or on a table while you clip their nails, while others may need some form of restraint. Tip: You can make the process more fun for your dog by letting them lick peanut butter off a spoon while you handle the nails.