About Dog Nail Trimmers

Function

• Dog nail trimmers use specially designed blades to clip the edges of dog nails. With a variety of nail trimming tools available in all pet stores, many dog owners learn to clip their dog's nails at home. Others choose to take their dog to a professional groomer or veterinarian to have the nails clipped as part of a full grooming service. Many veterinary offices will trim your dog's nails for free when you bring your pet in for other services, while pet groomers typically include this service as part of a package or make it available as a separate service. Regardless of who trims the dog's nails, dog owners should become familiar with the different tools and how to use them.

Types

• Each dog nail trimming tool has a different method of trimming the nail and may be designed differently based on the size of the dog. The guillotine nail trimmer is the most commonly used trimmer for dogs. It clips the nail by clamping together two thin, sharp pieces of stainless steel onto the nail. Because this tool maintains its sharpness longer than other tools, it is best used on large dogs that have thicker nails. The scissor-style clipper is typically used on smaller dogs, as it slices the nail between two small, sharp, curved edges and is operated like a pair of scissors. The nail file resembles those that humans use and is usually used immediately after trimming the nails in order to smooth any rough edges. The newest style of nail trimmer is the rotary trimmer, or dremel. This tool operates on electricity or battery power. It has a rotating head that rapidly files down the nail as the nail is inserted into the tool.

Benefits

• The primary benefit of dog nail trimmers is that they can be used regularly, with relative ease, to maintain your dog's nail health. Dogs that do not get regular nail trimming can experience painful ingrown nails and are more likely to cause skin damage and inflammation when scratching themselves. Dogs with long nails may also suffer from chronic pain in their pads, legs and joints if the length and growth pattern of the nails obstructs their walking. Regularly using nail trimmers to maintain the nail health of your dog will also prevent him from accidentally scratching and injuring you and your family during play, and will help maintain the integrity of wood flooring and upholstery in your home.

Considerations

• Before trimming your dog nails yourself or taking your dog to a professional, it is important that you become familiar with how your dog reacts to nail trimmings. If your dog is fearful of having her nails trimmed, she may bite or fight out of fear and injure you, the groomer or herself. Consider purchasing a muzzle for her to wear during nail trimmings and work to create a positive association with trimming nails. To avoid these problems, consider training your dog to accept nail trimmings at an early age by providing treats, regularly handling your dog's paws, and choosing a nail trimming tool that fits the size of your dog's nails best.

Warning

• Inside each nail is a group of pink nerve endings and blood vessels, called the quick. When trimming the nails, it is important not to trim the nail too close to the quick. Trimming too closely may cause discomfort in your dog, as the pressure from the nail trimmer can aggravate the nerve endings. If you accidentally cut into the quick, the nail will begin to bleed. If you are going to trim your dog's nails at home, always keep a supply of styptic powder with antiseptic handy to immediately apply to the nail in case you cut the quick. This will quickly stop the bleeding and clean the area. The best way to avoid clipping the quick is to use a dremel or simply clip the nails in small increments.