Dog nail clipping is an essential part of being a pup parent. A finely manicured paw is better for your pup’s health
and hygiene — and protects your belongings too!
Start training your fur baby for nail clipping by touching their paws early and often. Some dogs are sensitive to
their paws being handled; the younger you can start, the more accustomed they’ll be to the process.
What You Need To Trim Dog Nails:
- Dog nail clippers
- Healthy treats, for training and rewards
- Styptic powder, in case you cut the quick
- Some patience… and a whole lot of love!
How To Trim Dog Nails
Step 1: Ease Into It
Start off by helping your pup get comfortable! First, introduce the dog nail clippers. Let them sniff the tools,
then tap each paw with the nail clippers. Praise and reward with training treats.
Next, clip a little bit off of just one nail. Reward and praise profusely. Repeat this daily until your fur baby is
comfortable.
Since you’ll be giving your pup a lot of treats during the training process, we recommend finding low-calorie,
all-natural rewards. pawTree’s freeze-dried treats for training are a great option to keep your pup healthy while
motivating with delicious flavor.
Step 2: Isolate The Nail
Holding your pup’s paw, place one finger on the pad of the toe and another on the top of the toe, just above the nail. Firmly, but gently, press up and backward on the pad of the toe while simultaneously pushing the top of the toe forward. This will extend the nail.
Step 3: Cut The Nail, Not The Quick
Once you’ve isolated the nail, use your nail clippers to cut straight across the tip of the nail.
Do not cut past the curve of the nail to avoid hitting the quick. The quick is the pink area of the nail that
contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the quick causes pain and bleeding. In fur babies with black nails, cut a
little bit at a time and look out for a white line that indicates the beginning of the quick.
P.S. Don’t forget about the dewclaws! These are the “thumbs'' of your pup’s paws, located higher on the leg. They’re
easily overlooked while nail clipping.
Step 4: Pamper the Paw
All good manicures include a little bit of pampering. After you’ve successfully clipped all your pup’s nails,
massage an all-natural paw balm into your fur baby’s feet.
Paw balm heals dry and cracked paws and keeps your pup moisturized — so they’re always ready for a long walk.
pawTree’s healing shea butter balm is the perfect spaw solution for your pup.
FAQ
How Often Should I Cut My Dog’s Nails?
As a general rule, you should cut your fur baby’s nails at least once a month. If your pup spends a lot of time
running on pavement, they might require less maintenance, while an indoor dog might need a manicure more often.
If you hear their nails clacking on floors or can see a long, slender curve on the end of the nail, your dog’s nails
are too long. It’s time for a trim.
What Happens If I Cut The Quick?
If your dog’s nail is bleeding or you’ve cut the nail too short, you’ve cut the quick.
Quickly press styptic powder, cornstarch or flour to the wound and hold for a few seconds. Note that styptic powder
will stop bleeding and ease the pain your fur baby feels, while cornstarch and flour will only reduce blood flow.
You can clean up any blood on your pup's fur with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball!
Do I Need To Cut My Dog's Nails If I’m Okay With Them Long?
Yes! Even if their tapping doesn’t bother you, long nails can cause real health issues for pups.
In some cases, long nails can turn a healthy paw into a pained and poorly functioning one. If the nail hits the
ground before the paw, your dog can develop long-term tendon and joint problems.
If you manicure your fur baby’s nails at least once a month, your pup’s overall health will be protected.
Taking care of your fur baby’s health and hygiene is how you show your love! With some training and patience, doggo
nail clipping can go from an unpleasant to-do to a bonding, love-filled moment. And with a freshly manicured paw,
your pup can frolic safely right into your arms.
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