How to trim your dog's nails at home?

Dog manicure is useful not only from the aesthetic side. This procedure is absolutely necessary from a medical point of view. The normal development of the claws of the animal preserves its health, contributing to the maintenance of the correct gait and positioning of the paws, the development of muscles, joints, spine and bones. Long claws interfere with the correct development of the dog, interfere with walking. The most serious deviations and diseases can be the consequence of this.

Before starting the procedure for trimming the dog's nails, it will be useful to make sure to what type in their shape they belong. There are three types, such as:

• nails curved, arched, moderately hard;
• straight (analogue of hare), more elongated than the first and often sharp;
• slightly curved, with slightly curved ends, similar to those of a cat.

The device of all dog claws is fundamentally the same. From the outside, they are covered with a keratin sheath (visible part). The keratin coating is constantly growing and it is precisely this that needs to be trimmed. The inner part is called the claw bed, in which the blood vessel and nerve fibers are located; it is highly undesirable to touch them during the cutting process. This can seriously injure the animal.

A feature of the claw vessel is that it develops along with the claw. The larger the claw, the longer and closer to the end of the claw the vessel becomes.... This can be avoided grooming your pet regularly. The claw vessel in felines is clearly visible. With dogs, the situation is somewhat more complicated, since their claws can be light and dark. In the latter case, the vessel is practically invisible.

The claws should be trimmed 2-3 mm below the location of the vessel. Dark claws have to be shortened more carefully - no more than 0.5–0.7 mm in one "step", so as not to accidentally harm the pet. Thus, the main purpose when treating dog claws is do not touch the inner content (claw bed) of the claw, otherwise the dog will experience pain. With constant care for your pet, the length of the nail pulp is shortened depending on the frequency of the procedure.

The dog's nails should be on average 2–8 mm apart from the floor. Excessive length of the claws will cause the animal uncomfortable sensations, provoke diseases of the claws and joints in animals. Therefore, dogs living in apartments, deprived of the ability to naturally grind their claws on hard surfaces, naturally have inconveniences associated with their growth. Long claws break off, often causing severe pain to the animal. Wherein an untreated wound often causes inflammation.

Running claws interfere with the dog's movement, lead to articular deformities, and sometimes the spine and skeleton. In addition, the rudimentary process growing on the "fifth toe" of the hind limb twists and, cutting into the skin, causes acute pain to the animal.

Novice dog breeders are often interested in how often they need to cut their claws and whether there is a need to change the scissors for other devices. For proper care of the nail plates they should be shortened at least once every 2 weeks.

Usually experienced dog breeders carry out the procedure, based on the results of visual inspection and assessment of the size of the claws. The crux of the matter is that the intensity of the growth of the plates depends on the breed of the animal, its size, the resulting loads and age. With frequent and intense walking of pets, the plates are grinded, so the trimming procedure is performed less often.

Traditional scissors or clippers for shortening the nails of dogs are not suitable because, especially in adults of large breeds, the nails are large and strong. An improperly selected tool can contribute to splitting or splitting of the claw. For these purposes, there are special claws, which are divided into the following groups:

• special scissors made of solid and durable metal with a reinforced structure;
• special nippers;
• guillotine.

The corresponding tools are made of high quality stainless steel or have a non-slip coating. It is better to choose handles that are ergonomic, comfortable to prevent awkward movements and injuries. The blades must be sharpened to a high quality, without chips, notches and uneven edges.Often, the process of trimming claws with a nail clipper is replaced by grinding using a special grinding machine. Such machines, vibrating, make a lot of noise, which can frighten the animal more than any other instrument.

Sawdusting claws takes more time and patience than pruning, and not every animal can sit in one place for a long time. In addition, with this method, there is a possibility of the dog getting an injury to the pad, which is more dangerous than an injury from a nail clipper. For these reasons, preparing for circumcision requires an individual and thoughtful approach.

In addition to cutting tools, when caring for claws files will also be needed to smooth out defects in the plates obtained during their trimming... Files are produced in manual and electric versions. Usually, electric devices are supplied with nozzles of various hardness, which are easily inserted into the rotating head of the device. It is convenient to use such a device by grinding the claws and giving them the required shape. The average price of a quality nail clipper ranges from 700-900 rubles. (there are models up to 2000 rubles).

Experts recommend buying specialized pliers-nippers (clippers), structurally adapted specifically for dogs. At the same time, you should not choose models from the most affordable and cheapest products. If you value your dog's health, then the tool must meet high quality requirements and meet the individual characteristics of the pet. Therefore, when choosing a nail clipper, you should be guided by the following recommendations:

• pay attention to the material from which the tool is made (best of all, steel or brass);
• structurally, the model must be cast, and its joints must be riveted;
• the coating of the blades is better in the chrome version, otherwise the tool will begin to rust;
• the handles of the product should be rubberized and comfortable, since the procedure is not quick, and bare metal is inconvenient;
• it is desirable that the tool is fully consistent with the size of the claws and the characteristics of the breed.

There are three types of claws for small, medium and large dogs. Versatile devices are also produced, suitable for dogs of different sizes. However, they are not entirely reliable. That's why it is important to select a clipper, guided by the individual parameters of the animal.

When accustoming your pet to claw trimming, you should start gradually, with one or two plates. The instruments used must be disinfected in advance. Before the procedure, it is advisable to give the pet the opportunity to sniff the instruments, get to know them. At home, to properly trim the claws of an animal, be it a puppy or an adult, this means follow systematic, step-by-step instructions to ensure the least objection of any dog ​​breed.

1. Prepare all the tools and tools that you may need in the trimming process. These include a nail clipper, a set of cotton swabs and cotton pads, and blood-stopping and antiseptic formulations. Dog treats should also be available to treat the animal in case it starts to worry.
2. Choose the right moment for trimming when it is more convenient to trim the claws of the animal - it is in a good mood or relaxed. If the pet is agitated, scared, or there are strangers in the apartment, the procedure should be abandoned.
3. The same applies to the choice of location. It is better to choose a comfortable sofa, an armchair or sit on the floor at home. The place should be well lit.As a rule, it is more profitable to carry out pruning after an energetic walk, when the animal is inclined to rest and relaxation. Before that, the dog should be fed. You should not raise your voice to her, making you worry. The calmness of the owner is well transmitted to the pet.

When the preparatory stages are passed, you can proceed directly to the procedure, guided by the following recommendations:

• if the dog breed is long-haired, then first you should remove the hairs in the area of ​​the claws, as well as rinse and thoroughly wipe the limbs;
• examine the paw and determine the place of the first incision;
• securely fix the selected claw with your fingers and determine the claw bed that cannot be touched;
• trim the claw to the length of the selected step, slightly higher than the nerves and blood vessel are;
• in the process and after cutting off a part of the claw, evaluate the behavior of the pet and treat him with a treat;
• if the plate is cut unevenly, then it will have to be filed and small burrs removed using a nail file, without stopping the soothing communication with the pet;
• perform the procedure first with the front, and then with the hind legs, doing this in two stages sequentially, but with a break;
• if living tissue was affected, then the animal should be reassured;
• if during the procedure the pet shows excessive aggression, howls or moans strongly, then it is better to take him to the veterinarian or try again on his own another time.

Problematic moments that arise during the procedure for clipping claws in animals, as a rule, relate to two aspects:

1. the dog is afraid of the procedure, breaks loose, bites and does not allow him to do the necessary;
2. during the procedure, the dog sustained a dangerous injury.

To avoid problems, it is important to follow the following tips and rules:

• you do not need to trim until you have carefully examined the plate; if the hairs interfere with the inspection, then they need to be cut;
• if the animal is restless, then an assistant will not interfere; he should position himself behind the dog and securely hold its neck, fixing the head, and with the other hand you need to hold its limb; this method of holding a pet is reliable and is used in extreme cases, with excessive mobility of the animal;
• it is important to teach your pet to this procedure from an early age - puppies are more likely to adapt to innovations;
• plates on the hind limbs are convenient to handle when the pet is lying; the dog should be laid on a flat surface and asked to hold it by someone;
• you should not raise your voice during the procedure - the animal should feel completely safe;
• a small hollow located on the lateral side can become a reference point for the approximate location of the vessel in a dog with dark claws; experts advise focusing on it and trimming carefully, leaving a small margin;
• the use of alcohol solutions, other alcohol-containing antiseptics for injury, increase the feeling of pain, which is why specialists prefer to treat wounds with special antiseptic powder;

Delayed squeezing of the claw cutter during the cutting process simultaneously with an accidental sharp jerk can lead to serious injury to the paw - tearing of the skin and soft tissues; in this case, you should adhere to the following actions:

1. the injured paw must be quickly bandaged with a bandage or tourniquet in the metatarsal area, raise the paw up to slow bleeding;
2. put cold, ice pack, food from the freezer on the injured paw;
3. open wounds are best treated with lidocaine;
4. if the wound is significant, then the gap must be sutured, contacting a specialist for help;
5. you should not cut the plates at once to the entire possible length at a time - dark claws are cut by about 0.5 mm in 1 "step", and when the cut becomes lighter, the trimming should be stopped;
6. Before applying ice to the wound, it must be put in a bag and wrapped with a thin cloth, which will relieve the animal from hypothermia; keeping the cold on the injured limb for a long time is not worth it.

Mistakes and complications are not uncommon during a dog's claw trimming procedure. Often they are associated with the behavioral characteristics of animals, and with the individual characteristics of the color and anatomical structure of the claws. In this context, it is important to consider a number of aspects.

• If the claws of the animal are painted in a dark color (black claws), which makes it difficult to trim the claws, you should consult a veterinarian. But it is better to visit him and observe his work, as an example for future independent work.
• If the dog jerks violently and does not allow the procedure to be carried out, then it should be wrapped in a diaper (for small animals). Two people are involved in the procedure - one fixes the dog on his knees, the other frees his paw and starts a haircut.
• If the pet breaks loose and whines, and at the same time its claw bed is clearly not touched, then the dog most likely has a high level of sensitivity. You can purchase a solution of lidocaine, which you can use to treat the dog's paw a few minutes before cutting the claws.
• It is useful to record the dates of haircuts in a special dog grooming calendar. This will simplify the process of monitoring the procedures.
• If the existing tool is not able to cope with the thickness of the claw, then you should try to remove the claw with a file.

Open wounds in dogs as a result of the procedures performed should be carefully avoided. If one nevertheless appeared and began to bleed, you cannot allow the pet to hide in a dark corner and self-medicate, licking its wound. The means necessary for the provision of medical care must be prepared in advance and be on hand. It can be a special styptic powder, cornstarch or just a bar of soap, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine for disinfecting a wound, bandages or napkins.

If the injury is minor, then it is simply disinfected with peroxide or chlorhexidine. Often, a special styptic pencil is used, which is pressed against the damaged area of ​​the claw for a few seconds. The pencil helps to form a tight clot that prevents bleeding. In the course of providing first aid, it will not be superfluous to offer your pet some delicacy in order to distract it and prevent negative emotions from fixing on the claw cutting procedure.

Improper or careless care of the pet's claws leads to a number of consequences, often extremely unpleasant.

• The claw grows in. For example, an untreated “fifth toe”, bending over, grows into the pad of the dog's paw, causing severe pain. Such a claw, breaking the skin, contributes to the entry of infectious bacteria into the wound and the development of fungi. In pain, the animal cannot stand up on its paw.
• The claw bed (panaritium) becomes inflamed. Injuries to fingers, claws or adjacent tissues lead to this disease. At the site of inflammation, purulent swelling occurs. The animal's body temperature rises, appetite decreases. Unpleasant odors emanate from the injured paw, the wound begins to fester intensively.
• The claws break off, causing very painful conditions. This occurs when the claw is too long, which, with sudden movements, clinging to the surface, can break off and disrupt the integrity of the blood vessel. This usually results in severe bleeding.

In some cases, dog owners can heal the emerging painful conditions on their own. So, with early inflammation of the claw bed, it is quite possible to regularly antiseptic wounds with a solution of chlorhexidine. In this case, it is useful to apply wound-healing dressings, which must be periodically changed and monitored for their safety. A special veterinary cap can be used until the wound has healed.

When caring for an animal, you should always remember that untimely or careless trimming of claws in animals is fraught with consequences such as:

• disorders in the development of joints;
• negative and irreversible changes in the setting of the paws;
• deformity in the gait and, as a result, in the pet's spine;
• constant pain;
• long-term illness.

Sometimes, in order to save the life of a pet, you have to do claw removal operations. These indications include the following:

• ingrown claws - complicated cases;
• abnormal development of the claw, fused claws;
• the occurrence of gangrene and other serious consequences;
• serious injuries and inflammations, frostbite and burns;
• oncological processes.

And also remove the so-called wolf claw ("dewclaw") - rudimentary claws... Operations are in accordance with breed standards. In developed countries, the operation is condemned by human rights activists.

For information on how to trim a dog's nails at home, see the next video.