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Pet nail care is an important part of your pet’s overall health care. Considering that claws continually grow and are not necessarily worn down as they would if they have been going for walks, in that case it is up to you to help keep them at a comfy length. When nails are too long, it has an effect on the manner a dog walks which can trigger joint pain later on in life. Also longer nails could get caught as well as ripped, or in some cases curl back into the toe pad and may also lead to an infection. trimming pet nails is not that upsetting if you have the most suitable equipment and have taught your dog to let you hold the paw.

The nail does have a “quick” which contains the veins and nerves of the nail.The quick is easier to see in white nails. By trimming small amounts at any given time and trimming with the plane of the bottom of the toe pad (horizontally rather than vertically) it is possible to avert clipping the nail to short as to make it bleed.

Here are a few additional tips to successfully cut your pet’s nails:

1. Get started while your pet is still a puppy or kitten by carefully holding their feet. Start by making a game of it and examining the nails, chances are they will allow you to cut them when they get older.

2. Pick a nail trimmers for the size and age of your pet.I oftentimes utilize the human toenail trimmer for young pet’s nails since it can get to the tiny points a bit easier and they are generally sharper. When the kitten or puppy gets older, I can then swap nail trimmers to the scissor action style of trimmer in lieu of the guillotine trimmer. I find that these stay sharper for a longer time and are a lot easier to use. The guillotine type some times traps the nails and does not create a clean cut. Your veterinarian will help you purchase a proper trimmer.

3. When trimming your dog’s nails, by no means undertake it when your pet is sitting in your lap. Enlist someone to help you and put them on the counter-top or lid of the washer or dryer. You may wrap them with a towel to assist holding them much better. trimming cat nails can be easier if you scruff the cat by grasping the loose skin just behind the head.. If your pet starts to resist, just try holding the paw until he calms. Should you let go of the foot when your pet begins to protest, you’re just re-enforcing the poor habits and will make the following nail trim event even worse. (Go back to number 1)

4. Be well prepared. Have readily available styptic pencils for example silver nitrate or Kwik stop powder. Be aware that the silver nitrate on the end of the sticks may stain counter tops and your skin in case you get it on you. For beginners, it is best to stick with the styptic powder.

5. If your pet has light colored nails, you can see the pink portion of the quick. If your pet has darker nails, trim a little bit at any given time. I like to gently press on the toe and extend the nail out. I then draw an imaginary line level with the bottom of the toe pad and extend it out across the nail. I then trim the nail at this imaginary line so that the nail is now level with the floor when the dog is standing. The nail of the cat is easier to see and it is best to just trim the tips off and stay away from the pink colored quick.

6. You can use an emery board to smooth the sharp edges.

7. Pedipaws or similar rotor drill sanders are useful to smooth sharp tips and also to trim just a small amount of nail. If the nail is very long in any way, then it will take you a long time to get it trimmed. You might use the drill to maintain the nail shorter or for smoothing the nail after you have used the clippers. Your pet will also need to be taught not to be scared of the noise, so it is best to move slowly as you each learn to deal with the drill.

With a little practice and a lot of patience, you could soon be trimming your pet’s nails with confidence. If all else fails, your veterinarian or groomer are here to help.