Regularly trimming a dog's toenails is an essential part of their care and grooming. Dog nail clipping is a procedure that can make many pets and their owners nervous, but it doesn't have to be this way. Keeping these helpful tips in mind will this necessary task simple and painless for both Marlton, NJ dog owners and their four-legged friends.
Most canine companions are a bit nervous when it comes to having their feet handled and nails clipped. It can be very effective to not only cuddle and talk soothingly to the dog, but to also get him or her to associate this procedure with a worthwhile reward such as a tasty treat or playing a favorite game. Starting by trimming only one nail at time is recommended.
Nail clippers come in two styles, one works like ordinary scissors, the other like a guillotine. A veterinarian or pet shop personnel can usually recommend a good one, but it also depends on one's personal preference. Taking the dog for a long walk to tire him or her out first, is recommended, since an exhausted pet is less likely to put up a fight.
Purchasing a styptic stick or powder is also important, as this compound works to stop bleeding in the event one trims the nails too close to the quick. The cutting technique depends on the type of clippers used. With scissors style, nails need to be inserted at a right angle, and with the guillotine style, the clipper must be positioned perpendicularly to the nail and cut from top to bottom.
The quick of the nails is the inner part which contains blood vessels. It is necessary to first determine where the quick is located so it can be avoided during toenail clipping time. Dark nails will need a flashlight illuminated behind them to make the quicks visible, whereas clear toenails allow one to see this part easily as a pinkish area. Generally, it's safest to cut no more than two millimeters from the quicks.
Sometimes accidents happen, the dog may startle and the quick can get clipped causing blood loss. Acting promptly can prevent an emergency, usually the bleeding will subside by applying pressure with a cotton ball, and then dabbing the area with a styptic product. This can be frightening for the animal, so it's also important to stroke and speak to it softly and maybe provide a treat too.
There is also another method some pet owners prefer for trimming their dogs' toenails, it is a special sanding tool called a "Dremel" made for this purpose. A rotating sanding drum is used to file down the nails one by one, and it has the added advantage of smoothing them at the same time, preventing rough edges. Again, care must be taken to avoid filing to the quicks.
Another alternative to clipping a dog's nails oneself is to take the animal to have this done at a veterinarian's office or dog grooming service. These professionals know how to safely perform this procedure, but some animals will get even more upset because of the unfamiliar setting making it a better choice to carry out this task at home.
Most canine companions are a bit nervous when it comes to having their feet handled and nails clipped. It can be very effective to not only cuddle and talk soothingly to the dog, but to also get him or her to associate this procedure with a worthwhile reward such as a tasty treat or playing a favorite game. Starting by trimming only one nail at time is recommended.
Nail clippers come in two styles, one works like ordinary scissors, the other like a guillotine. A veterinarian or pet shop personnel can usually recommend a good one, but it also depends on one's personal preference. Taking the dog for a long walk to tire him or her out first, is recommended, since an exhausted pet is less likely to put up a fight.
Purchasing a styptic stick or powder is also important, as this compound works to stop bleeding in the event one trims the nails too close to the quick. The cutting technique depends on the type of clippers used. With scissors style, nails need to be inserted at a right angle, and with the guillotine style, the clipper must be positioned perpendicularly to the nail and cut from top to bottom.
The quick of the nails is the inner part which contains blood vessels. It is necessary to first determine where the quick is located so it can be avoided during toenail clipping time. Dark nails will need a flashlight illuminated behind them to make the quicks visible, whereas clear toenails allow one to see this part easily as a pinkish area. Generally, it's safest to cut no more than two millimeters from the quicks.
Sometimes accidents happen, the dog may startle and the quick can get clipped causing blood loss. Acting promptly can prevent an emergency, usually the bleeding will subside by applying pressure with a cotton ball, and then dabbing the area with a styptic product. This can be frightening for the animal, so it's also important to stroke and speak to it softly and maybe provide a treat too.
There is also another method some pet owners prefer for trimming their dogs' toenails, it is a special sanding tool called a "Dremel" made for this purpose. A rotating sanding drum is used to file down the nails one by one, and it has the added advantage of smoothing them at the same time, preventing rough edges. Again, care must be taken to avoid filing to the quicks.
Another alternative to clipping a dog's nails oneself is to take the animal to have this done at a veterinarian's office or dog grooming service. These professionals know how to safely perform this procedure, but some animals will get even more upset because of the unfamiliar setting making it a better choice to carry out this task at home.
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