How To Trim a Dog’s Nails | Chewtorials, by Chewy on YouTube. 2 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick your tool. Use pliers-style or scissor-style clippers for most dogs, or a grinder to file nails down slowly. Keep styptic powder and treats within reach before you start.
Let your dog sniff the clippers and give a treat. Keep the first session short and calm so the tool does not feel like a threat.
Hold the paw gently from underneath, with your thumb on the pad and fingers on top. Do not squeeze or twist the leg.
Press your thumb on the pad to push the nail forward and separate it from the others. This gives you a clear view of one nail at a time.
Look for the quick, the pink core in light nails. On dark nails, look for a chalky white or grey ring and a dark dot in the centre of the cut surface.
Trim at a 45-degree angle, following the natural curve of the nail. Cut below the quick, not into it.
Take small cuts, a sliver at a time, and check the tip after each one. Stop as soon as you see the dark dot or pink centre appear.
Give a treat and praise after each paw or even each nail. End on a good note, even if you only finish one paw today.
Tips and common mistakes
If you nick the quick, press styptic powder onto the nail and hold gentle pressure for a minute.
Trim a little every one to two weeks rather than a lot at once, so the quick stays short.
Ask a helper to hold a lick mat or treat for wriggly dogs, and never force a struggling paw.
Do not use dull clippers, as crushed nails hurt and split.
Questions
How do I know where the quick is on black nails?
Trim tiny slivers and watch the cut end. When a grey or white ring with a dark centre appears, stop. That dot is the top of the quick.
What if my dog panics?
Do one nail, then stop and treat. Build up over several days. If your dog stays fearful, ask a vet or groomer for help.
How often should I trim my dog's nails?
Most dogs need a trim every three to four weeks. Dogs that walk a lot on hard surfaces may need it less often.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
