How to Cut dog Nails

The nails of wild dogs wear down as they roam the wilderness. Your dog is a descendant of these animals, but because your pooch usually runs in the house or on soft ground, its claws grow long and require trimming. Nails can become painfully ingrown so cutting them every three to four weeks can save your dog from this anguish. If your dog's nails click when it moves on a hard floor, it's time for a trimming.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Dog nail clippers
  • Tissues
  • Cornstarch
  • 1-inch-wide emery board
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold your dog in your lap. Clip the tip of the nail from underneath. Hold the clippers at a 45-degree angle, with the bottom of the clipper facing the sole of your dog's foot.

    • 2

      Spread the nail you want to clip apart from the others and then clip only a few millimeters from the end of the nail to avoid cutting through blood vessels that run along the inside of the nail. Cutting into the quick can cause bleeding and pain. The sensitive area is pink.

    • 3

      Cut the dew claws, which are along the inside of the foot. Some dogs have more than one pair of dew claws on their back legs.

    • 4

      Put cornstarch on the nail if you cut through the vein. Dry the area with a tissue.