How Do You Clip the Nails of a Chihuahua?

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dogs around. Weighing no more than six pounds, these dogs get most of their exercise running from room to room in the house. Sensitive to extreme temperatures, they are not suited for outdoor life. Your Chihuahua's daily walks and trips to the yard may not be enough to grind down its nails. If your Chihuahua's nails get too long, it can be difficult and even painful for your Chihuahua to walk. It is your responsibility to trim your dog's nails whenever they get long enough to reach the floor.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog nail trimmers
  • Styptic powder
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a scissor or a guillotine-style nail trimmer for your dog. Use whichever type you are comfortable with. Purchase a trimmer that is built for small breeds. Large breed trimmers will be too big for your Chihuahua's tiny toenails.

    • 2

      Condition your dog to tolerate humans touching its paws. Chihuahuas may not like to have their paws touched and therfore jerk them instinctively away. This will make nail trimming difficult. Play with your Chihuahua's feet, praising it and rewarding it with dog treats as you do.

    • 3

      Examine your Chihuahua's toenails. If they are white, you will see a dark or pink area inside the toenail. This area is known as the quick. It is a bundle of nerves that you should avoid cutting. If your Chihuahua has dark nails, you will have to trim the nail a little at a time, looking for a circle to appear on the trimmings. This circle will indicate that you are getting close to the quick.

    • 4

      Hold your Chihuahua's paw firmly to keep it still. Begin trimming the nails at the tip. Cut from top to bottom and follow the natural curve of the nail. Stop trimming just below the quick.

    • 5

      Reward your Chihuahua as you clip its nails. Praise it and feed it treats. This will teach your Chihuahua that nail trimming can be a positive experience, rather than a frightening one.

    • 6

      Apply styptic powder to any nails which are bleeding. A bleeding nail means you have cut too close to the quick, but styptic powder will stop the bleeding within a few minutes.