How to Clip Really Long Curled Toenails on a Dog

Blood spurting from the quick in a dog's nail results from incorrect clipping. The quick is a blood vessel in the middle of the dog's nail that grows as the nail grows. Cutting really long curled toenails in a dog requires multiple clipping sessions to avoid cutting the quick. Light-nailed dogs are easier to clip than dark-nailed dogs because the quick is more visible. The right tools, patience and a cooperative dog make the clipping task more manageable.

Things You'll Need

Guillotine- or scissor-type clippers
Nail file
Styptic powder or pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Have your dog stand, sit or lie down, whichever is most comfortable for your dog. Some dogs stand patiently, some sit and others lie down for nail clipping. Others have to be restrained either by cornering the dog in a room against a wall or by putting the dog on a table and placing your arms and upper body over the dog to clip the nails on the opposite side. Having a helper keep your dog still allows you to focus on the clipping.
- 2
  Hold your dog's paw in your hand and push on the pad to extend the nail. Examine the nail for the location of the quick. The quick is more visible in dogs with light-colored nails. The quick recedes with each clipping. Dogs with really long toenails also have a really long quick so clip the nail only to the quick and allow it to recede before the next clipping session. Many sessions may be necessary. If you do cut the quick, use styptic powder or pencil to stop the bleeding.
- 3
  Clip the nail at a 45-degree angle outward (cutting end of clipper toward end of nail), avoiding cutting the quick. Make a series of small clips rather than one large clip helps you to avoid cutting the quick.
- 4
  Look for a darker spot at the center of the nail (the quick) after each clip and keep your clipping below this spot.
- 5
  File the rough edges of the nail lightly to avoid the dog's nails scratching the floor. Do not file into the quick.