How short can I grind my dog’s nails? Essential Tips

What If My Dog’s Nail Bleeds?

If you accidentally cut the quick and your dog’s nail begins bleeding, don’t panic. Your dog will be okay. It’s a good idea to have some styptic powder handy in case this happens. While styptic powder is ideal, you can also apply corn starch or ice the wound until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding continues or you are still concerned, it’s best to seek medical attention from a vet, and they can advise on what to do.

The cause of bleeding might also be a result of a minor injury. Read below for a personal experience.

Hold your dog’s paw with your thumb on the toe pad and your finger on the top of the toe above the nail, gently pushing the nail out.

Hold the grinder closer to the rotating head for greater control.

Make sure to keep fur away from the grinding tool so it doesn’t get caught.

Start by grinding across the bottom of the nail and then the tip of the nail. Be sure to smooth any rough edges carefully.

Grind only a small part of your dog’s nail at a time until just above the quick.

It would be best to trim your dog’s nails at least once a month. But if your dog’s nails are very overgrown when you start, you may want to cut them every couple of weeks. The more you trim, the more the quick retreats back into the claw. So more frequent trimming can get your dog’s seriously overgrown nails back to an ideal length faster.

Introducing Your Dog To Nail Trimming

Nail trimming or grinding can make dogs anxious, so it’s important to ease your dog into it at first until he gets used to the routine. We recommend you follow these steps slowly over a few days, making sure your dog is ready for the next step. And be sure to give your pup plenty of treats and praise with each step.

Handle your dog’s paws regularly so they get used to you touching them.

Introduce the clippers a few times without trimming — have them sniff and inspect tools so they become accustomed to them.

Touch the clippers to your dog’s foot without cutting or grinding.

Try trimming off the very tip of one front paw nail.

Once your dog is comfortable with doing one nail at a time, try doing two at a time, and so on.

Follow these steps if you’re using clippers. Be sure to have treats on hand to reward your dog for good behavior.

Hold your dog’s paw with your thumb on the toe pad and your finger on the top of the toe above the nail, gently pushing the nail out.

Clip only thin slices straight across.

Don’t clip past the nail’s curve to avoid cutting the quick (the pink area that contains blood vessels). The quick is easier to see with light-colored nails. For dogs with dark nails, look for a chalky white ring. (Using a flashlight can help.)

Clip down to just above the quick.

Repeat this process with each nail. And, don’t forget to clip the dewclaws on the inner side of the paw.

Why Do You Need to Cut Your Dogs Nails?

For starters, when you allow nails to grow too long or to become overgrown, this also means that the quick has grown out, which can lead to nail bed issues, bleeding nails, pain, secondary issues in your dogs body, and a worried pet owner.

What Is a Nail Quick?

The quick of a nail is the innervated, vascularized core of the nail bed. It provides nourishment to the nail which allows it to grow and aids sensation.

The quick of the dog nail is vascularized and innervated.

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