Cutting a dog's nails can be a difficult task, especially if a dog is scared of nail clippings and other dog grooming procedures. Like most aspects of dog grooming and care, success depends on using the right dog grooming tools and the proper technique.
Pet nail trimming is among the most basic dog grooming techniques; it's also one of the most important elements of dog grooming. There are two basic types of nail trimming tools for pets: the traditional nail clipper and the dremel-style nail trimmer, sold under names like PediPaws or the Peticure pet nail trimmer.
Trimming a Dog's Nails With Traditional Nail Clippers
The first step to cutting a dog's nails involves selecting the proper tool. Dog nail clippers are inexpensive and easy to find at virtually any pet store. Dog owners can pick between two basic styles: scissor-style nail clippers and guillotine-style nail clippers. Scissor-style trimmers tend to be easier to use, especially on dogs with larger, thicker nails, but the guillotine-style nail clippers tend to stay sharper for longer.
Unfortunately, both traditional clipper styles do have some disadvantages. Dog nail clippers dull fairly quickly, which causes the clippers to crush the dog's nail instead of cutting cleanly. This can cause foot and nail pain, infection and bleeding from the live part of the dog's nail, called the "quick."
Nail clippers can be difficult to use on a dog who is scared and struggling during a nail clipping attempt. One slight movement and the pet owner may accidentally cut into the quick of the nail, causing bleeding.
Nail clippers also tend to leave the dog with sharp nails, which can scratch the dog's skin as he itches, in addition to scratching pet owners, furniture and flooring. So for pet owners who do opt to cut a dog's nails with a traditional nail clipper device, it's important to purchase a coarse grain nail file, like those used for acrylic nails. Use the nail file to smooth sharp edges after trimming the dog's nails with the clippers.
Clipping a Dog's Nails With a Peticure or Another Dremel-Type Nail Trimming Device
Many dog owners are now opting to use a PediPaws or a Peticure nail trimmer for dog pedicures - a new and popular dog grooming tool for dogs and other pets. There are other similar dremel-style nail clippers for dogs available in pet stores, but most pet owners are familiar with the Peticure, which is probably the most popular nail trimming tool of its type.
This dremel-style pet nail trimmer features a rotating file that shaves away the tip of the dog's nail. This gives pet owners greater control when trimming a dog's nails and the Peticure eliminates the risk of cutting the nail quick, causing pain and bleeding. The Peticure and other similar dog nail trimming devices eliminate the need to file a dog's nails to remove sharp edges that result from the dog's nail clipping.
The Peticure does have the disadvantage of being a bit more expensive than traditional nail clippers and some dogs don't react well to the sensation of vibration from the Peticure.
Peticure nail trimmers and other similar mechanical nail filing tools are great for dogs with black or dark colored nails. The live part of the dog's nail -- the quick -- is not visible if the dog has black nails. Therefore, trimming with traditional clippers becomes a guessing game that leads to a dog with a nail injury.
More Hints and Tips for Cutting a Dog's Nails
Pet owners must also keep styptic powder or corn starch on-hand in the event that the nail trimmer cuts the dog's nail too short, resulting in bleeding. If the dog's nail quick is cut, dog owners must wash and disinfect the dog's injured nail twice a day for about one week, in addition to bandaging the injured paw for a few days following the mishap.
Whether it's giving a dog a bath, cleaning a dog's ears, or pet nail trimmings, there are many tips and tricks that make for easier dog grooming at home. For additional info on dog grooming at home, read How to Clip a Dog's Nails and "Grooming Double-Coated Breeds -- How to Groom a Dog's Undercoat."
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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