Keeping a dog's nails trimmed shouldn't be an intimidating task for either you or your pet. Keeping their nails trimmed keep you and your property safe from unnecessary scratches and it is important for their everyday living to not let the nail grow too long. For most dogs, having overgrown nails can interfere and even be painful when walking.

Trimming the nails of your pet can be as simple as trimming your own nails. Just be aware that dogs have a vein inside the nail called the quick that can bleed when cut into. When grooming the nails you need three basic tools-the clippers, tissue and a styptic product that is used to stop bleeding if you do happen to cut into the quick. Two types of these products include

Kwik Stop Powder and a styptic pencil that contains silver nitrate. Both products work well to stop the bleeding of the quick if you should happen to need them.

There are two types of nail clippers that are commonly used by groomers. The guillotine, which is used most for dogs, and the scissors or claw type. The scissors type will have to be used if the nail has grown so long that it has started to curl. The guillotine clippers have an opening at the end which the nail is placed into. When the handle is squeezed, the blade moves in an upward motion to cut the nail off.

Dogs have two shades of nails, light and dark or sometimes referred to as white and black. White nails are the easiest to trim since the quick is visible through the nail. A black nail will require more precautions because the quick can't be seen. If the black nail isn't too thick, a flashlight can be used from the underneath to make the quick more visible. For the darker nails where the quick can't be seen, it is best to trim in short cuts and looking at the end of the nail before cutting more.

Start nail grooming by getting you and your dog in a comfortable position. Ask for assistance from a friend or family member if needed and have your tools handy. Hold the paw in one hand and pull the hair and skin as far back away from the nail as possible. If you can view the quick of the nail then you are in good form. Place the clippers on the nail and cut the nail no less than two millimeters of the quick. Cut from the bottom of the nail in an upward motion and not from the top to the bottom. Do not try to pull the nail away when clipping. The nail should cut fully and fall away on its own.

Repeat with every nail and don't forget the dew claws. This is the nail that usually hangs by loose skin off to the side of the paw. These are the nails that typically grow on a curve because they aren't walked on. Most dogs only have one set of dew claws on the front but some breeds also have them on the rear paws such as the St. Bernard.

For dark nails, trim off small portions at a time and look at the end of the nail after each cut. As you trim, you should notice a light-colored area at the bottom portion of the nail and the top portion should be a dark color. The light colored part is the bottom part of the nail and the dark part is the top part of the nail, both can be trimmed. As you continue to trim, the dark part of the nail will start showing a light pink color when looking at the end of it. Stop cutting the nail because this is the beginning of the quick.

If you should happen to cut into the quick of either shade of nail, immediately place a tissue on the nail to remove the blood and apply a styptic product to the quick. If you don't have this product on hand, hold the tissue on the nail until the bleeding stops which should take no more than five minutes. After the nails have been trimmed, the rough edges can be filed down with a nail file or grinder or left alone to smooth on their own which will happen as the dog walks.

The more you groom your pet's nails, the more they will become comfortable with the process. If you and your dog are trying this task for the first time, keep treats on hand to keep your dog calm and content. This allows you some extra time to get comfortable with nail grooming and your dog will associate the process with something good. The most important tips are to have a sharp pair of clippers, assistance if your dog is uneasy and a lot of patience. Learning how to trim your dog's claws will save you time and money while creating a bonding experience between you and your pet.

Learn more about this author, Angela Pollock.
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