How to Trim Canine Claws

Trimming a dog's claws, or nails, can be an intimidating process. Products that grind a dog's nails can be used, but it's a good idea to know how the use a nail clipper. They don't rely on electricity, and generally the only thing that can go wrong with them is to get dull over time. Confidence comes from the ability to identify how far your canine friend's nails can be trimmed. Start clipping your dog's nails at an early age so that it becomes a regular part of its routine.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet nail clipper
  • Styptic powder or pencil
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Instructions

  1. Safely Clip Dog Nails

    • 1

      Select a nail clipper you're comfortable with. There are two types, guillotine and scissor. If using the guillotine type, face the clipper away from the dog so you know exactly where the nail will be cut.

    • 2

      Ensure your dog can't get away or move excessively. Lean over your dog and hold its body close to yours or enlist a helper to hold it for you.

    • 3

      Turn the dog's foot up so you're looking at the bottom of it. From this angle, you'll be able to see if you're getting close to the quick (the blood vessel) of the nail after you clip it.

    • 4

      Clip the nail even with the bottom of the foot. There may be a defined hook at the end of the nail. If so, that part can be clipped off. If you're clipping white nails, you'll be able to see the pink quick. Leave a little bit of nail beyond the quick.

    • 5

      Look at the end of the nail. With both white and black nails, if there is solid white showing inside the nail, you can remove more. Clip off a small slice at a time until you are comfortable trimming nails. Once the white is gone and a darker color remains--either pink or black--you've trimmed far enough. If you take off a little too much and draw blood, hold styptic powder or pencil on the end of nail until the bleeding stops.

    • 6

      Clip the dog's dew claws, if it has them. Dew claws are located on the inside of a dog's leg. They may have them in the front and back. Since they don't wear from contact with the ground or floor, they are usually longer than the rest of the nails. If they haven't been clipped in a long time, they can even grow in a circle and into the pad. If that happens, use a nail clipper that opens far enough to get around the nail and clip it at about the mid-point. Pull the end of the nail out of the pad, then clip the rest of the nail to the proper length.

    • 7

      File the toenails with a rotary grinder made for that purpose or a small file if you want smooth edges.