Trimming Your Pet's Nails
- Date: 2010-06-02 - Word Count: 514
Share This!
Learning how to trim a dog's nails can be intimidating for the new pet owner. Unfortunately, it is a task that needs to be done once or twice a month for indoor pets or they will suffer from ingrown toe nails or ones that get caught in the carpet and can be torn out. The general rule of thumb is a dog's nails should barely touch the ground, when walking and if you hear your dog's nails clicking, it is time to learn how to trim a dog's nails.
If you have an outdoor dog or one that likes to go for daily walks, they may wear their toenails down from walking on gravel, sidewalks or pavement. This can help you to keep from learning how to trim a dog's nails, in a few cases. The most important thing to consider is the quick can grow longer when the dog's nails aren't regularly trimmed, so you don't want to wait too long. It isn't difficult to learn how to trim a dog's nails, but it is a matter of getting your pet used to it and a matter of you learning how to trim a dog's nails without cutting them too shortly.
You can buy dog nail clippers on the Internet, at the pet store or your veterinarian can advise you on the best dog clippers to use or might be able to supply you with some. You can also find dog clippers meant for use on smaller dogs or larger dogs. You need to make sure they are easy to use and sharp enough to cut the dog's nail cleanly and quickly. You may want your veterinarian to trim the dog's nails if you are too intimidated because it is something that must be done occasionally and it can help you learn how to trim a dog's nails, in the process.
You start at the tip of the nail and only take off a little bit at a time, so you can check the edge of the nail to stop when you reach the pale pink tissue at the top of the cut edge, known as the quick. You don't want to cut into this area because it contains nerves and blood vessels and it can be difficult to see on dark nails, so be sure to use extra caution. Once you have reached the quick, lightly file the edge of the nail to make them smooth, which keeps them from snagging on things, just like a person's nails will do without this step.
In the event you snip into the quick and it begins to bleed, apply pressure with styptic powder, baby powder or cotton to stop the bleeding. Don't wipe the blood clot off, once it has stopped bleeding because the dog's nail needs this to heal properly and to keep the nail from becoming infected. Be sure that you trim the dewclaw nail, which is the nail that won't wear down naturally, as the other nails might. Make sure to keep the dog relaxed and avoid any sudden movements that might scare the dog.
If you have an outdoor dog or one that likes to go for daily walks, they may wear their toenails down from walking on gravel, sidewalks or pavement. This can help you to keep from learning how to trim a dog's nails, in a few cases. The most important thing to consider is the quick can grow longer when the dog's nails aren't regularly trimmed, so you don't want to wait too long. It isn't difficult to learn how to trim a dog's nails, but it is a matter of getting your pet used to it and a matter of you learning how to trim a dog's nails without cutting them too shortly.
You can buy dog nail clippers on the Internet, at the pet store or your veterinarian can advise you on the best dog clippers to use or might be able to supply you with some. You can also find dog clippers meant for use on smaller dogs or larger dogs. You need to make sure they are easy to use and sharp enough to cut the dog's nail cleanly and quickly. You may want your veterinarian to trim the dog's nails if you are too intimidated because it is something that must be done occasionally and it can help you learn how to trim a dog's nails, in the process.
You start at the tip of the nail and only take off a little bit at a time, so you can check the edge of the nail to stop when you reach the pale pink tissue at the top of the cut edge, known as the quick. You don't want to cut into this area because it contains nerves and blood vessels and it can be difficult to see on dark nails, so be sure to use extra caution. Once you have reached the quick, lightly file the edge of the nail to make them smooth, which keeps them from snagging on things, just like a person's nails will do without this step.
In the event you snip into the quick and it begins to bleed, apply pressure with styptic powder, baby powder or cotton to stop the bleeding. Don't wipe the blood clot off, once it has stopped bleeding because the dog's nail needs this to heal properly and to keep the nail from becoming infected. Be sure that you trim the dewclaw nail, which is the nail that won't wear down naturally, as the other nails might. Make sure to keep the dog relaxed and avoid any sudden movements that might scare the dog.
Related Tags: designer dog clothes, designer dog bowl, sports dog jersey, nfl dog jerseys, best dog collar, clothing for dogs, custom dog collar, designer dog accessories
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea