Click, Click... it's that sound again.
Time to get those nails trimmed!
Trimming your pets nails can be scarey. Some pets know if you feel anxious and will react the same way. For these pets, it may be best to bring them in to the clinic and have the technicians trim their nails. If you pet tries to bite you, or if it becomes a huge ordeal it may be best just to schedule your pet an appointment.
If you would like to try to trim your pets nails at home than this information will hopefully help you.
First thing to remember: DON'T BE NERVOUS! Your pet can feel that from you! If you are nervous, your pet will be too. This can make it difficult to trim their nails. Now that you and your pet are calm. Have someone assist you by holding your pet. If you are able to do this by yourself, than get into a comfortable position for both of you.
For dogs and cats that have the "white" or "clear" nails it should be easier to see the "Quick". The quick is the blood vessel (see diagram above). This should appear to be pink in the clear nails. This is what you need to avoid when you trim. Place your clippers on the nail, avoiding the pink area, and cut. The best place to cut is on an angle. This angle should take the tip off the nail. The tip is the curved, sharp part of the nail. There! One nail done... now you can continue with the same technique to them all.
Attachment 208343
For those animals that have the "black" or "dark" nails it is a little harder to see the blood vessel. In fact, you probably wont see it at all! Don't worry... you will follow the same guide line as to where to trim. Take the tip off and cut on the angle. You should see a dark area in the center of the nail. This dark area is the quick! If no dark area is seen, only white, you may wish to stop (knowing your safe) or you may wish to take a little more off the nail, that choice is yours.
Attachment 208344
What happens if you make it bleed? Don't panic. Your pet may react, and that's normal. Keep your pet still so that you may stop the bleeding.
First apply pressure to the nail (where the blood is coming from).
Second apply some
quick-stop to the nail.
If you don't have quick-stop, don't worry. Apply some flour to the nail and continue to add pressure. Watch the nail closely to observe if it continues to bleed. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can let your pet up. Watch where your pet walks closely. The nail may continue to bleed a little after your pet walks on it. If this occurs, apply pressure and a little more flour and keep your pet still and calm for a little longer.
After you have completed the nail trim, give your pet a treat and reward him with lots of praise.
When first starting to trim your pets nails, you may only be able to trim one paw at a time, don't be discouraged, just reward your pet and have patience. Remember your pet may be nervous too!
If your pet becomes difficult to trim nails on, don't continue. You want to have a good relationship with your pet and the stress of this is not needed. Please call your veterinarian's office and schedule an appointment with the technicians to trim your pets nails.
Good instructional video: