Nail Trimming

By Nancy Otten, Animal Health Technologist

Why is it important to trim our pet’s nails?

Trimming our pet’s nails prevents a few problems that can occur when the nails get too long.  If the nail gets so long that it curves around and starts to grow into the pad associated with that toe (this commonly occurs with dewclaws,) a painful abscess can occur.  Long nails can cause lameness due to the discomfort of walking on them.  Also, long nails can be easily fractured causing much unnecessary pain.

How do we know when it is time to trim our pet’s nails?

A dog’s nails shouldn’t touch the ground when standing.  They also shouldn’t be excessively curved.  When there is a distinct downturn in the shape of the nail, they are too long.  Active dogs will need to have their nails trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.  Their nails will be worn down naturally when out walking and playing, especially if they get to run on pavement or gravel.  Less active dogs will need to have them trimmed more frequently, sometimes as often as every 3 to 4 weeks.  A cat’s nails are a little different.  A normal, active cat will shed the outer surface of their nails by scratching.  The new nail underneath will be shorter (and sharper!)  Older or inactive cats don’t go through the normal processes involved in naturally shedding their nails so they can keep growing, curve around and grow into the pads of their feet.  If your cat is inactive, you will need to watch for this.    

How do we know how short to cut them?

If your dog’s nails are white, you are in luck.  Down the centre of the nail you will see a pink, triangular area.  This is called the “quick” and is the area where the blood vessels and nerves associated with the nail are found.  If you cut into this area, it will bleed and will cause pain for the dog.  You are safe to cut within 2 mm of this pink area; there may be some sensitivity if you cut any closer.  If your dog has dark nails, cutting them is slightly more complicated.  The pigment in the nails prevents us from visualizing the quick so we need to be much more careful about making cuts.  It is recommended to make a series of cuts per nail to ensure that you won’t cut too far.  With each cut you make, examine the cut surface.  You’ll notice an oval area within the nail.  The closer you get to the quick, the more homogenous in colour and smooth this oval area will become.  Another way to judge when you should stop cutting is by examining the bottom of the nail.  You will notice that the part of the nail furthest from the foot is hollow and the closer you get to the foot, the “fleshier” the nail becomes.  Don’t cut into this fleshy part; you will hit the quick.  It should be noted that this is a generalization and that every dog’s nail anatomy will be slightly different.  Often this process is trial by error and chances are you will cut into the quick at least once.  You may cut into the quick at least once every time you cut your dog’s nails!  Don’t despair; even groomers and veterinary staff accidentally cut into the quick.  Most cats have clear nails with a very visible quick.  Occasionally you will come across a cat with black nails.  To be safe, only cut off the very ends or enough to prevent them from curling into their own flesh. 

What should I use to cut them?

There are two types of clippers used on dogs:  the guillotine style, where you insert your dog’s nail into the opening and the moveable blade is pushed through the nail, and the scissor style, where two blades cut through the nail.  Both are good systems and it really comes down to personal preference.  The scissor style is nice because people are already comfortable and familiar with the mechanics of scissors.  The guillotine style is nice because the blades are removable and easy to replace when dull.  The scissor style can be sharpened but, realistically, the entire clipper will need to be replaced when they become dull (usually yearly.)  Dull clippers are the enemy.  They will crush and splinter the nails rather than make a clean cut. Nail clippers made specifically for cats are of the scissor variety.  You can also use human nail clippers.  Both are effective.  The other thing you should have on hand when trimming your pet’s nails is styptic powder.  If you do cut into the quick, the styptic powder is pressed into the nail to stop the bleeding.  If you don’t have any powder on hand, corn starch or flour will do the trick.  Applying pressure will work too but it will take more time and patience may not be something your dog or cat will have at this point.  It is best to have the blades move through the top and bottom of the nail rather than through the sides of the nail.  The nail is more likely to splinter when you cut from the side. 

Some dogs and cats really hate having their nails trimmed.  How do I get them used to the idea?

It is very, very important to handle your pet’s feet a lot when they are young.  The more used to having their feet handled, the easier the nail trimming is going to be.  Even if your pet is older and is afraid of the nail trimming process, it’s not too late.  Start by lightly touching the foot.  Even if they pull their foot away, reward them with a treat for letting you even touch them.  Eventually they will stop pulling their foot away.  This is the first step in desensitizing them.  Next, lightly hold their foot.  Again, they will probably pull their foot away but reward them anyway.  Once they are used to that, play with their toes and gently squeeze their feet.  When you have progressed to the point where you feel that you might be able to actually clip a nail, let them investigate the clipper first.  Let them smell it and touch it so that it isn’t so scary when you use it to cut a nail.  Make sure you have lots of treats on hand; the more treats, the less negative the experience.  If your pet is very frightened by it, don’t attempt to cut another nail.  Wait for another day and try again then.  It may take as long as a month to get your dog or cat friend used to the idea.  If your pet is very nervous, try to work on it when he’s tired like after a long walk or at the end of a rigorous play session.  Persistence and patience are the keys to this.  Building trust may take a while but it is worth the wait.  It is not fun to trim nails when the dog or cat is terrified; it quickly becomes a test of will.  Tempers flare and the chance of hurting your pet, or of your pet hurting you, increases 10 fold.