Trimming Your Dog's Nails

Especially with older dogs that move around less, the nails wear down more slowly. Overgrown nails are not a cosmetic issue: they cause pain and, over time, serious damage to the musculoskeletal system.

Why overgrown nails are dangerous

When the nails touch the floor, they push the toe pads upward with every step. That is painful, especially on longer walks. Dogs then shift into a protective posture, which over the long term can lead to postural damage as well as joint and back problems. A dog that limps shows similar symptoms.

Overgrown nails can also grow inward, break off, or tear out. Torn nails are extremely painful and highly prone to infection. Don't forget the dewclaw either: it does not wear down on its own.

When are the nails too long?

If you hear clicking on hardwood or tile floors, the nails are too long. They should be no longer than the pad and should not touch the floor.

The longer the nails get, the more the vessels and nerves inside them stretch out. In that case they need to be trimmed more often and only bit by bit: nerve tissue and vessels recede again over time.

The right tools

For medium and large dogs, nail clippers with rounded blades work well. For small dogs, a nail trimmer is often enough: the clippers are frequently too big there. The clippers must be sharp to avoid crushing. A dull tool squeezes the nail instead of cutting it cleanly. A grinder is another option: it takes patience, but some dogs accept it better.

In every case: plenty of light and a gentle touch. Only shorten bit by bit.

Trimming light nails

On light nails the blood vessel (the "quick") is visible through the nail as a pinkish area. With a flashlight it is even easier to spot. Shorten no more than 1 mm per cut, and stop at least 2 mm before the vessels. Just before that point, the cut surface turns increasingly pink: that is the signal to stop.

Trimming dark nails

You cannot shine light through dark nails. Here you go by the cut surface: as long as it is white or gray, you are in the safe zone. Once a dark dot appears in the center, you are close to the blood vessels: then stop.

If a mishap happens anyway and the nail bleeds, you can stop the bleeding quickly with a little high-proof alcohol or styptic powder.

The right position

Lay your dog on its side: this gives you the best control and the dog lies relaxed. If you are nervous yourself, or you notice the dog getting very anxious, put the session off to another day. Stress is contagious and makes cutting less safe.

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