How to Cut Toenails on Puppies

If you've ever had a puppy scratch your skin, you know that behind that bouncing fluffiness are sharp nails. Just like human babies, puppies are born with fine, sharp nails that harden and grow with age and require routine trimming. Making the nail trimming experience a positive one for your puppy ensures his cooperation later. Cutting a puppy's toenails doesn't require a professional groomer, but it does demand patience and the proper equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Treats
  • Guillotine clippers
  • Styptic powder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread a towel flat on a table and lay your puppy on his side facing away from you. Speak soothingly and give him a treat while you position his body to help him relax.

    • 2

      Lay your arm over the puppy's torso to secure his position. For an extra squirmy puppy, cut a single hole in towel and wrap him inside like a burrito with one paw sticking through the hole.

    • 3

      Move the guillotine clipper up the white of the puppy's nail until the blade is a few centimeters below the pink vein and squeeze the clippers shut to clip. Never cut at or beyond the pink part or you'll cause pain and bleeding. Skip this step if your puppy has black nails.

    • 4

      Position the guillotine clipper a few centimeters above the very tip of his nail and clip. The pink vein is less visible on black nails, so only clip a few centimeters at a time. Stop cutting when pink or grey appears inside the cut end, as this indicates proximity to the vein. Skip this step if your puppy has white nails.

    • 5

      Stop trimming after a few nails if your pup is highly anxious or squirmy. Complete the entire clipping only if your puppy cooperates and appears calm, otherwise stop for a day and finish a few nails at a time over several days.