Nail Clipping Anxiety in Dogs

For many dogs, getting their nails trimmed is not an enjoyable experience. Two of the underlying issues involve dogs' dislike of the actual nail clipping, and dislike of having their paws handled and touched. However, having properly trimmed nails that are short enough is important from a health standpoint. The good news is that there are ways to work around this common type of anxiety.

  1. Causes

    • One common reason for dogs to have anxiety about having their nails clipped is because they have had stressful, unpleasant experiences in the past with nail clipping. For example, the dog might have had his nails clipped too short and had pain as a result. Also, some dogs dislike having their paws handled and touched, or some are sensitive to being handled anywhere on their bodies.

    Proper Clipping

    • There is a proper way to trim a dog's nails that is safe and as pleasant as possible for the dog and owner. It is critical not to cut the dog's nails down to the quick and to cut off as little as possible, to be on the safe side. Cutting the quick is painful, as this area of the nail includes nerves and blood vessels. It is better to clip off too little rather than too much of the dog's nails, and in the process this will lessen the chances that the dog will develop, or continue to have, nail clipping anxiety.

    Solutions

    • According to ASPCA Behavior, the combination of desensitization and counterconditioning is often used to eliminate nail clipping anxiety. There are steps an owner can take to alleviate a dog's nail clipping anxiety. These involve training the dog to like nail clippers, acclimating him to having his paws handled and adding nail clippers to handling activities. Many dog owners try to work with their pets on their own to resolve their dogs' anxiety, while others consult professionals, such as pet behaviorists.

    Don't Do

    • It is important to be accepting and reassuring about the dog's feelings and to not scold him for having anxiety about nail clipping. According to ASPCA Behavior, restraining or acting rough with the dog could make the dog even more fearful. Also, it is important not to twist the dog's toes, which can be uncomfortable and make the dog even more nervous.

    Warning

    • Dogs who are fearful and anxious about having their nails clipped may become aggressive, so it is important to take the proper precautions to keep safe from dog scratches or bites. If the owner is clipping the dog's nails at home, it is often helpful to have a second person available to help and reassure the dog.