How to Trim Your Pets Nails

Trimming your pet's nails regularly will keep them healthy. Nails that are too long can turn and grow into the skin. You can trim a dog's nails every one to two weeks and a cat's nails once a month. If you are not sure when to trim its nails, hearing the nails while your pet walks on a tile or hardwood floor is a good indication that it is time for them to be clipped.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet nail trimmers
  • Nail file
  • Styptic powder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make your pet comfortable by allowing it to sit on your lap or having someone else hold the pet. Pick up the paw gently and handle it in a casual manner to assure the pet that you are not going to harm it.

    • 2

      Grasp the pet's paw in your hand and apply gentle pressure on the pad; this will allow the nails to protrude slightly and give you the chance to trim them more easily.

    • 3

      Begin clipping the nail a little bit at a time where the nail starts to curl under, avoiding the quick. If your pet's nails are light-colored, the quick will appear pink. If its nails are dark-colored, trim a very small amount at a time until you see a pink dot where you just cut and stop trimming.

    • 4

      Apply slight pressure to your pet's nail if you accidentally clipped the quick and it begins to bleed. Dip the nail in styptic powder and wait until the bleeding stops.