Cut a nail too short and it will not stop bleeding?
Our emergency team is in the building around the clock, every day of the year.
Most dogs do fine with a nail trim. What makes the difference is a calm setup and a steady hold, and both are easy to learn. Get those right and a two minute job stays a two minute job.
Dr. Candice Flynn, DVM, walks through the whole thing in the video above, from how to sit on the floor with your dog to where the quick actually is. Here is the short version.
What makes a nail trim go smoothly?
It is rarely about the nails being hard to cut. It comes down to how the dog is held, so a supported, relaxed hold is what makes the whole thing easy.
Dogs read the person holding them. Stay relaxed and your dog will follow you there. Dr. Flynn's own dog shakes during trims, and the shaking is about the position he is being held in, not the clippers touching his nails.
So the first thing to fix is not your technique. It is the amount of tension you bring to it.
How should you set up before you start?
Get on the floor. Standing over a dog and reaching down is a restraint posture, and they know it.
Put a leash on, sit down, and bring one leg gently over the neck so your dog is steady without being pinned. A lick mat with something good on it gives them a job that is not worrying about you. An extra person helping is not a failure, it is usually faster and calmer for everyone.
Have styptic powder open and within reach before the first nail, not after. And use genuinely sharp trimmers. A dull pair crushes the nail instead of cutting it, which hurts, and that is the thing your dog will remember next time.
Where is the quick, and how do you avoid it?
The quick is the living tissue inside the nail, carrying blood and nerve. Cutting into it hurts and it bleeds.
On a clear or white nail you can see it, a pink wedge running down the centre. Stop short of it and you are fine. On a black nail you cannot see anything, so you work differently: take small amounts off the tip and look at the cut surface each time. A chalky white centre means you have room. When a small dark dot appears in the middle of that surface, you have reached the edge of the quick and that nail is done.
Cut up and down rather than side to side. Side pressure twists the nail in the bed, which is uncomfortable even when you are nowhere near the quick.
What about the dew claws?
They are the ones people forget, and they are the ones that cause trouble.
Dew claws sit higher up on the inside of the leg and never touch the ground, so they do not wear down on their own. Left alone they keep growing, curl around, and eventually grow into the pad. Check them every single time.
When should you stop?
Before your dog decides for you.
If you have done four nails and everyone is calm, four nails is a good session. Finish there, give a treat, and do the rest tomorrow. The mistake is pushing to get all of them done while your dog gets more and more upset, because then they win the argument and they will expect to win it again next time.
Ending on a good note is not a soft idea. It is what makes the next trim possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I trim my dog's nails?
Most dogs need it every three to four weeks. If you can hear the nails clicking on a hard floor, they are already long.
What do I do if I cut the quick?
Press styptic powder onto the nail tip and hold gentle pressure. Bleeding usually stops within a few minutes. If it has not stopped after that, or it starts again once your dog is up and moving, call us at (703) 256-8414.
My dog will not let me near the black nails. What now?
Do the clear ones at home and let us handle the rest. There is no prize for doing all of them yourself, and a bad experience costs you the next six trims.
Is a grinder better than clippers?
It is a real option, especially for thick nails, and some dogs tolerate the sound better than the pressure of a clipper. Introduce it slowly with it switched off first.
Can I just bring my dog in for a nail trim?
Yes. It is a quick visit and we do them all day. You can schedule online. We can also do it while your dog is in for a routine wellness checkup, and you can see what our wellness plans cover.
When should you call us?
If bleeding will not stop, if a nail is torn or split down into the bed, or if the area around a nail looks swollen or your dog will not put weight on the foot, have us look at it.
Schedule online at columbiapikeanimalh.com/schedule-appointment, or call or text us anytime at (703) 256-8414. We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there is no additional emergency fee.
Schedule an AppointmentCall or text: (703) 256-8414
Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center
4205 Evergreen Ln, Annandale, VA 22003
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