Free Guide: How to Trim Your Dog's Nails
Lux at Home: Care Between Grooms
Long nails can change how your dog walks and stands. Here's how to find the quick, how much to trim, and how to keep nail time calm, plus when it's best to leave it to us.
How to tell nails are too long
The American Kennel Club says that if you can hear your dog's nails clicking on the floor, they're likely too long.
What you'll need
Dog nail clippers (or a nail grinder)
Styptic powder or cornstarch, in case of a nick
Treats
A helper, if you have one. Purdue University suggests one person can offer treats while the other trims.
Understanding the quick
Inside each nail is the quick, the pink area that contains blood vessels. Cutting into it is painful and will bleed.
Light nails: You can usually see the pink quick. Stay well in front of it.
Dark nails: You can't see the quick, so trim a tiny amount at a time. The AKC says to watch for a chalky white ring on the cut surface, which tells you you're getting close.
Step by step
These steps follow the AKC's guidance:
Hold the paw gently but firmly. Place your thumb on the pad of a toe and your forefinger on top of the toe, on the skin above the nail. Make sure no fur is in the way.
Extend the nail. Push your thumb slightly up and back on the pad while pushing your forefinger forward.
Clip only the tip, straight across. Don't forget the dewclaws on the inner side of the paw.
Don't clip past the curve of the nail, or you risk hitting the quick.
Reward, and take breaks. You don't have to do all four paws at once.
If you nick the quick
Stay calm. Apply styptic powder or cornstarch to the nail to help stop the bleeding, then give your dog some comfort and a treat. If bleeding doesn't stop, call your veterinarian.
Keeping nail time calm
Go slow and be patient.
Small, frequent trims are easier than one big trim.
Stop if your dog is stressed. Purdue advises that if your dog freezes, tries to escape, tries to bite or otherwise seems stressed, stop and ask your veterinarian for help.
First time? The AKC's chief veterinarian suggests asking your vet or vet tech for a lesson.
When to leave it to us
If your dog has dark nails, is anxious about paws being handled, or you simply aren't comfortable, that's completely okay. A nail trim and file is included in every Puppy Love Lux service, and is also available on its own.
This guide is for education and at-home maintenance between professional grooms. If your dog has a skin, ear or dental concern, please check with your veterinarian first.
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