How to cut your dog's nails at home: preparation and detailed instructions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

For what purpose do people get a dog? She is an excellent guard at home and a true friend for a person who will always be waiting for his return. There are elite breeds of dogs. People start them for the purpose of financial gain: they sell their offspring, take them to exhibitions and competitions. For a full-fledged existence, the animal needs not only good nutrition and daily walks, but also proper care. This article will cover in detail the topic of how to cut your dog's nails.

The structure of nails

Depending on the breed of the animal, there are two types of nails:

• Bent in. They differ in an arched shape. In some dogs, they have a curved tip. The owners of such nails are service and guard breeds.
• Hare. Differ in a direct form. Often they are long and have a pointed end. The owners of such nails are decorative dogs.

An important component of the claw ispulp, in which blood vessels and nerve endings are concentrated. It is very important not to damage it during processing, this can cause acute pain in the pet and bleeding.

Nails are essential for traction while walking or running. And also with their help, the animal digs the ground.

What is it for?

How to cut your dog's nails? Before we talk about it, it’s worth understanding why such care is needed?

1. Excessively long nails will sink into the ground. Because of this, the dog will begin to clubfoot. Such a shift in the centers of gravity is a harbinger of the development of deformation of the joints and spine.
2. An animal can injure itself with a sharp limb while walking. An infection can enter the body through the formed wound.
3. An untidy claw tends to cling to bushes and branches. If the dog cannot release the paw on its own, then a sudden movement can lead to tearing of the soft tissues. At home, it will begin to damage the surface of upholstered furniture.
4. While playing, a dog can injure a person.
5. A dog with long nails will fall more often due to loss of balance.
6. The secondary reason for such care is aesthetic appearance. Often the owners put in order the appearance of the pet before the exhibition and competitions. A manicure is done for the same purpose.

Long nails cause discomfort not only for dogs, but also for humans. At night, she will click loudly on the floor with her paws.

When it's time to dohaircut?

How do you know when it's time to cut your dog's nails? The procedure must be carried out when several characteristic signs appear:

• The pet began to walk noisily on a hard surface and clubfoot.
• He periodically clings to the bedspread and upholstered furniture with his paw.

Normally, the procedure is required to be carried out at least once a month.

Fun fact: Many dogs don't need nail clipping. They grind off on their own if the pet often walks on the asph alt.

Another important question that worries many owners is where can I cut my dog's nails? It is recommended that you take your pet to a pet salon or veterinary clinic. Firstly, the specialist will cope with this task better and faster. Secondly, he will perform the procedure as safely as possible. Thirdly, he will be able to create beautiful and even nails.

Not every person is willing to spend 700-1500 rubles a month on animal care. To save money, you can trim your dog's nails at home.

What will it take?

Nature is designed so that the nails of the animal have a solid structure. They are much thicker and harder than humans. Therefore, it will not be possible to cut the dog's nails at home with ordinary scissors. For this purpose, special nail cutters will be required. You can buy them at a veterinary clinic or pet store.

When choosing equipment, you should pay attention to several factors:

• Material. It is recommended that the blades be crafted from brass. This material is hard anddurable. If the surface is additionally treated with chrome, then the nail cutters will last a long time, and the blades will not dull.
• Design. It is required that the equipment be cast, fastened with strong rivets.
• Pens. They must be rubberized. In this case, the nail cutters will not fall out of your hands.

On the counter of the store you can see a large assortment of goods of various sizes. You should choose a tool that suits the breed of the dog.

You will also need a hard-coated nail file, which is needed to create smooth corners.

Pet Moral Preparation

The task of every caring owner is to take care of how to cut the dog's nails painlessly. In most cases, animals are afraid of this procedure. This is due to the previous negative experience and the unwillingness to sit in one place for a long time. The first stage of preparation includes the moral preparation of the pet for the procedure.

It is required to lay out all the tools on the surface and let the dog examine them. Let her carefully sniff every detail. If the procedure is carried out for the first time, then it is better to carry it out together. One person will hold her paw, and the second will distract the pet with bright objects or treats.

A dog may behave aggressively during a haircut. It is recommended to put a muzzle on her and fix on a short leash.

Introducing the scope of work

The second stage of preparation is to get acquainted with the scalework. You can cut your dog's nails only if they have a flat surface. A contraindication to the procedure is the presence of fungus and cracks.

Each paw of the pet should be washed, rid of contamination. There is no need to additionally treat it with alcohol or an antiseptic.

Now it is worth determining where the pulp is, that is, to what level each nail can be trimmed. On a light surface, a person will see it immediately. It is almost impossible to see it under the black layer, so only 0.5 mm of the nail can be removed once a month.

Choose the right moment

An important part of paw care is the dog's mood. It is not recommended to carry out the procedure when she is tired and hungry. Postpone nail trimming is required if the pet is sick or unwell.

Action algorithm

It is worth remembering that during work a person should not perform sudden movements that could frighten the dog. Each nail must be processed quickly and confidently, any hesitation will negatively affect this process.

1. Getting started with the front paws. The first thing to do is trim the wool if it interferes with further work. Now you should carefully take the pet's paw in your hands and make an incision at an angle of 45 degrees. The distance from the tip of the nail to the cut line should not exceed 0.5 mm.
2. If the dog behaves well during the procedure, you need to stroke it and give ittreat.

It is important, if the claw suddenly began to brighten, it means that there is a nerve ending near the cut line. It is not recommended to continue cutting.

1. Each nail needs to be further processed with a hard nail file in order to blunt sharp corners.
2. After 2-3 hours, you can start processing the hind legs.

Another important point on how to cut your dog's nails at home is choosing the right position. It is recommended that the pet lie on its side.

After completing the procedure, all instruments must be sterilized with alcohol or an antiseptic and removed, wrapped in a clean cloth.

Important points

Many owners are wondering if it's okay to cut a dog's nails if it resists this process? It is strongly not recommended to forcefully hold it and squeeze the paw. It is better to try to distract the animal. If it gets nervous, then you should immediately stop the procedure.

It's important to stay calm. If you get nervous, it will be passed on to the dog. She will sense danger and may become aggressive.

Before processing, pay attention not only to the nails, but also to the paw pads. If any damage was noticed on them, then it is worth holding the paw gently, without causing discomfort to the dog.

A lot of bacteria accumulate on the palms of a person. It is imperative that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting to protect your pet frompenetration of infection.

The owner should take the first procedure as responsibly as possible. It depends on how it passes, how the animal will treat it next time. Often dogs get used to a haircut, begin to trust a person and behave very calmly. If one nail is damaged, then she will feel a sharp pain. Because of this, the nail cutters will be dangerous for her.

Optimal processing time is 10-15 minutes. After the dog gets tired of sitting in one place and starts to resist.

If, as a result of a careless action, a wound was inflicted, then the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe paw must be treated with a special powder that stops the blood. It is strictly forbidden to use brilliant green and iodine, these alcohol-containing solutions will increase the pain.

Conclusion

Every owner should know when and how to cut the dog's nails. This is a very responsible procedure. If there are difficulties with its implementation, then it is better to entrust your pet to an experienced specialist.