How to cut dog’s toenails
In the past 10 days, among the hot topics about pet care, "How to trim dog's toenails" has become the focus of many pet owners. Properly trimming your dog's toenails can not only prevent them from scratching furniture and people, but also prevent overly long nails from causing discomfort when walking and even causing health problems. Here’s a detailed guide on how to properly trim your dog’s toenails.
1. Why do you need to trim your dog’s nails regularly?

If your dog’s nails are too long, it may cause the following problems:
| question | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| Uncomfortable walking | Nails that are too long can alter your dog’s gait and lead to increased stress on the joints |
| Broken nails | Nails that are too long can easily split, causing pain and infection |
| Risk of scratching | May scratch family members or damage furniture |
| health hazards | May cause deformation or inflammation of the toe |
2. Preparation before cutting nails
Before you start pruning, you need to make the following preparations:
| Preparations | Description |
|---|---|
| Choose the right tool | Nail clippers for dogs (scissor type or guillotine type) |
| Hemostatic powder | Used to prevent accidental cutting of blood lines |
| Comfort products | Snacks, toys, etc. to help dogs relax |
| good light | Make sure you can clearly see the nails and blood lines |
3. How to cut your dog’s nails correctly
Here are the detailed pruning steps:
| steps | How to operate |
|---|---|
| 1. Let your dog relax | Choose a quiet environment to keep your dog comfortable |
| 2. Secure the dog | Hold the paw gently to ensure stability but not pressure |
| 3. Identify blood lines | Pink blood vessels can be seen in light-colored nails, dark nails require special care |
| 4. Trim angle | Cut at an angle of 45 degrees, small amounts each time |
| 5. Check the edges | Use a nail file to smooth out sharp edges after trimming |
| 6. Reward your dog | Give rewards after each pruning to create positive associations |
4. Trimming techniques for nails of different colors
Depending on the color of your nails, the trimming method also differs:
| nail type | Pruning Tips |
|---|---|
| light color transparent nails | The blood line is easy to see and can be cut 2-3mm away from the blood line. |
| black/dark nails | Only cut a small section at a time and observe whether gray-white spots appear on the cross section. |
| curly nails | Be especially careful not to cut to the side, as this can easily damage the tissue. |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
| question | Solution |
|---|---|
| What should I do if my dog resists nail trimming? | Gradually adapt, start training by touching the paw, and coordinate with rewards |
| What should I do if I accidentally cut a bloody line? | Immediately use hemostatic powder to apply pressure to calm the dog's mood |
| How often should you cut your nails? | Usually once every 2-4 weeks, depending on the dog’s activity level and nail growth rate |
| What should I do if my elderly dog’s nails are particularly hard? | Soak it in warm water first, or use an electric nail polisher |
6. Professional advice
If you are not confident in your skills, or your dog is particularly resistant, we recommend:
| Suggestions | Description |
|---|---|
| Seek professional help | A groomer or veterinarian can demonstrate the correct method |
| regular care | Establish a fixed pruning cycle |
| daily wear and tear | Increase your time outdoors to allow your nails to wear out naturally |
Properly trimming your dog's nails is an important part of responsible pet care. With patient training and the right approach, most dogs can adapt to regular trimming. Remember, safety comes first. It is better to cut less than to risk cutting to the bleeding line. Regularly check the condition of your dog's nails and maintain them at an appropriate length so that your dog can move more comfortably and live a healthier life.
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