Caring for a pet dog is a constant thing and necessary not only for maintaining a pleasant appearance of the animal. The beauty of the breed is maintained by full grooming. Many people think that simply washing and cutting their pet’s fur is enough. This is not enough: you need to take care of your paws and learn how to cut your dog’s nails. Why this is needed and how to do it correctly at home is described below.
Why are dogs' nails trimmed?
When a puppy appears in the house, he runs around, fools around and can accidentally catch his claw on the tulle or scratch the parquet. To avoid this, puppies' nails are trimmed regularly.
Small dogs' nails grow quickly. It is recommended to cut them once every 14 days. The weight of such pets is small and their claws do not wear off on their own, even on asphalt. If this is not done in time, the claw will become long, hard and can be split when trimmed. The dog will bleed and will need to stop it with a disinfectant.
Smooth-haired dogs' nails are easiest to trim, but long-haired dogs' nails are not so visible. It’s even more difficult if the claw of a long-haired dog is dark. Then it is also necessary to trim the fur between the pads in order to remove the claws without touching the blood vessels.
What should you buy?
The selection at veterinary stores can be confusing, but making a list ahead of time will help you stay organized and get everything you need. This way you will stock up only on the goods you need and will not waste money.
For a good dog pedicure, you don’t have to buy half the pet store.
Table 1. Tools needed to trim a dog's nails
| Item | Description |
Claw cutter | These scissors look like pruning shears. They have 2 handles and 2 blades. They are suitable for small breeds, but they are not always suitable for large dogs with hard claws. |
Guillotine | A tool that has slots to accommodate the claw. Thanks to the levers, a process is launched during which the claw is cut off. This device is suitable for dogs of any breed. The main thing is to choose the hole size |
File | In addition to the cutting device, you will need nail files. A carelessly cut claw can peel or even break. Files will allow you to round it and smooth out unevenness. |
Files can be either manual or electric. They come with several attachments that vary in level of hardness. By inserting the nozzle into the device and turning it on, you will see how the head begins to rotate very quickly. With this tool you can polish the claw, giving it the desired shape.
Anatomy of a dog's claws
There is pulp inside the claw. She's soft. It contains a blood vessel + many nerve endings. On top is the stratum corneum. He's solid.
Together with the claw, the blood vessel grows and lengthens. When the owner does not trim it in time, it will subsequently have to be cut off along with the blood vessel. Part of the pulp is injured. While walking, the dog can infect the wound and become infected with tetanus.
Useful tips
- It is more convenient to cut the nails on the hind legs when the dog is lying down.
- If the thick fur makes it impossible to see the nail, the hair should be cut off.
- If the dog does not sit quietly, then someone needs to hold the dog. In this case, the pet will need to be carefully grabbed by the neck so that the head is fixed.
- Under no circumstances should you raise your voice while grooming, so as not to worry the animal.
- While in a clinic where your pet is undergoing any procedure under anesthesia, you can ask the veterinarian to cut his nails at the same time. Many specialists do this without requiring, in this case, payment for a haircut.
- If an animal was once injured during a home grooming, then next time you should immediately seek help from a specialist.
- Do not refuse sedatives if they are offered by specialists for the procedure. It happens that professionals also injure an animal.
If bleeding lasts for more than half an hour after an unsuccessful haircut, you must immediately contact the clinic.
Tools for trimming claws
- For home use, small or medium nail clippers are often purchased.
- In veterinary clinics, professional tools are large nail clippers.
What tools does a veterinarian use to trim dog nails?
1. Nail clippers or trimmers are special scissors for trimming nails. They are sold in 2 types: in the form of nippers, like scissors, and rounded, sickle-shaped blades. You cannot cut it with simple scissors; they will split the claw.
2. A special file for treating your pet’s claws. The human will not take a strong stratum corneum.
3. Scissors with rounded tips. They are for cutting the fur located between the paw pads. This is the prevention of fungus formation.
4. Guillotine.
5. Machine or trimmer sharpener.
Hair clipper
Instead of the usual tool, you can use a special nail clipper for your dog. The disadvantage of the machine is that it is noisy, so it can scare the animal.
The process of filing sawdust with a machine will take longer; the pet may not be able to sit in one place for a long time. In addition, there is a danger of injuring the pads.
For variety, you can buy a regular nail clipper and a clipper to compare and choose which is better. Nail clippers are professional and compact, battery operated.
Dog nail trimming technology
How the dog should position itself while trimming its claws depends on its size:
- If the pet is small, then it can be comfortably placed on your lap. The body is held with 1 hand, and the other is cut.
- If the dog is large, then make a raised platform, place a rug on it, and place the dog on top. The owner sits down behind him, takes his front paw and carefully holds it behind his back, trimming his claws one by one.
How often should the procedure be performed?
The frequency of nail trimming depends on the conditions in which the dog lives. If your pet lives in the city and walks along the asphalt sidewalk every day, then you will trim its nails less often.
If you live outside the city, you will have to do this more often..
After all, when walking on a soft earthen surface, the claws do not wear down and can grow to serious sizes, and this is fraught with consequences.
Generally speaking, an adult dachshund's nails should be trimmed once every 3-4 weeks..
How can you tell when it's time for a haircut? By the characteristic sound of claws on the floor. As soon as you hear a clattering noise, you know it’s time to trim your nails.
Step-by-step instructions at home
1. The owner takes the pet by the paw and holds it tightly. He holds his hand so that it goes forward and along the paw.
2. The person places his fingers under the paw pad, and with his thumb he holds the finger on which he is going to cut the claw.
3. Before pressing the nail clipper, the owner once again carefully checks whether he has installed it correctly in relation to the claw. There are models where the blade of the nail clipper is not very visible.
4. Carefully cuts off the excess keratinized layer. The vessel of the light-colored claw is clearly visible and the owner will not touch it. In dark ones, you need to cut layer by layer until a point is visible in the center - this is the beginning of the growth of a blood vessel.
5. After trimming each claw, the pet is rewarded with a treat. He will like it and will bear it more calmly.
6. After the first claw, 2 should be trimmed and all in turn. When the dog gets nervous and starts to pull out his paw, you need to let it go. The owner tenderly consoles the dog, scratches it behind the ear, gives it a treat, and soon continues the procedure.
7. When the claws are trimmed, they are properly processed on all sides with an abrasive file. They need to be smooth. After cutting, the edges will be uneven and quite sharp.
Basic Rules
To properly trim your dog's nails, follow these rules::
- Even if your pet walks on asphalt every day, nail trimming is still necessary, especially if the dog has an accessory digit.
- Don’t skimp on a nail clipper; choose not only the most expensive, but also the most convenient device. The main criterion is a comfortable handle and a sharp blade.
- If you do not have experience, do not try to trim your dog’s nails in one go, spread out the procedure over several passes.
- The best time to trim your dog's nails is after bathing. Warm water will relax your pet, and the claws will be easier to cut.
- If hair interferes with trimming nails, be sure to trim it. Otherwise, you will not see what you are doing, which means there will be a risk of injury to the dog.
If you do not have experience, it is better to carry out the first procedure in a salon . An experienced specialist will not only show you how to trim your nails correctly, but will also give you the necessary recommendations.
First aid for injuries
If a claw splits during trimming, most often a vessel will be hit and blood will flow. It needs to be stopped with one of the disinfectants.
Fits:
- hydrogen peroxide (3%);
- blood stopping pencil;
- iodine or potassium permanganate;
- corn starch or baby powder.
When the owner trims the claws, he places cotton pads, peroxide or a styptic pencil nearby on the bedside table or table. If the claw splits, pour a little peroxide onto a cotton pad and apply it to the bleeding wound.
Training to cut hair, praise and reward
It’s good when a dog is trained to trim its nails from puppyhood. An adult can be scared even when his paws are touched by a hand. Do not grab individual fingers or press on the nails.
What to do? At home, calmly take the paw in your hands and stroke it. Give a treat. This stage will take 2 days. Show the dog a nail clipper and get him used to the tool.
The nail clipper is used to touch the paw and the dog receives a treat. 2-3 minutes pass. and repeat everything, securing it with a tasty reward.
Briefly about the main thing
- It is best for a dog to undergo the procedure from childhood.
- You can trim your nails at home or in a veterinary clinic.
- Large nail clippers are the easiest way to cut a claw without it splitting, which happens when trimming is done with a small tool.
- At home, you should use a nail clipper and an abrasive file, and always keep a tasty treat on hand.
- In case of an accidental cut, the wound should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or iodine.
- You should accustom your dog to nail clipping through treats.
- The price for a haircut in a veterinary clinic starts from 200 rubles.
Required Tools
Experts do not recommend using ordinary scissors and clippers intended for humans. You can purchase a special nail clipper at pet stores and veterinary pharmacies. The tool is very convenient to use because one click is enough to remove excess length without damaging the surface of the plate. Store salespeople will help you choose the right tool, focusing on the size, shape of the claw and breed.
There are two types of nail clippers:
- Scissors-nippers - a design with two blades has different shapes: one is curved into a hook, the other is straight. The tool is equipped with two non-slip handles. Some models have limiters.
- A guillotine is a tool with one plate, which has a hole for a claw and a handle in the form of a lever. The guillotine is more dangerous, so it is rarely used at home - rather, it is a tool for professionals.
The owner should have several more devices at his disposal. So, a file is needed to trim cuts - you can use a rough model for human manicure. Small scissors with rounded edges will help remove hair between your fingers. Hydrogen peroxide, cotton pads and cotton swabs are needed to treat the emerging wound without interrupting the haircut.
All instruments are wiped with alcohol or peroxide immediately before the procedure, and hands are washed with soap. The animal should also disinfect its paws - lubricate them with peroxide or chlorhexidine.
