Like humans, our four-legged friends also need their nails done from time to time. If you are a first-time tutor, you must have doubts about how to cut a dog’s toenails, as some precautions are necessary to avoid injuring the pet.

In fact, long nails can hurt and even reduce the hairy’s quality of life, as they interfere with locomotion, get tangled up in fabrics and objects, causing pain, and run the risk of getting stuck in the skin. So how and when to cut the dog’s nails? Find out these and other answers below.

How often should I trim my pet’s nails?

In the same way that the interval between baths varies according to the animal’s lifestyle, the care taken when trimming a dog’s nails also changes from pet to pet. That’s because performing the procedure manually isn’t the only way to trim an animal’s nails.

In fact, the very act of walking helps to wear down and keep the dog’s nails short, as long as the walk is on rough surfaces. Currently, however, as many animals live in apartments, where the floors are smooth, it is suggested to be more careful with the paws.

How do you know if it’s time to cut your dog’s nails?

If you take your dog to the pet shop for bathing on a weekly basis, it’s likely that the nail clipping is already included in the package. In this case, the professionals themselves will be in charge of assessing whether there is a need to trim the animal’s “claws”.

But if you are in the habit of bathing your dog at home, an easy and effective way to identify when to cut your pet’s nails is to pay attention to the sounds of the house. If the nails are already ticking each time the dog walks, it’s time to cut them.

For those who wonder if you can cut dog nails, the ideal is that the cut is done once a week or, at most, every 15 days, preventing the nails from growing to the point of harming the health of the four-legged friend.

Can I cut a dog’s nail at home?

Cutting dog’s nails at home is not such an easy task. Nails are made of keratin, so they don’t hurt when they are cut. But, after a certain point, they involve spider veins and nerve endings, which cause pain. Therefore, it is important to avoid injured dog’s toenails as much as possible.

In fact, to complicate this problem, in addition to pain and discomfort, when it is not done correctly, cutting a dog’s nail bleeds and can even cause an infection. So, when in doubt, the best thing is to leave the cut in the hands of a professional.

Care when trimming the dog’s nails at home

If you’ve decided to take on the mission, check out below some tips on how to cut dog nails that will help your four-legged friend not to get hurt and ensure his safety:

  • First, talk to a veterinarian, who can guide you on the correct way to proceed and even make a demonstration for you;
  • Only use dog nail clippers that are specific and sized appropriately for your furry friend’s bearing;
  • When cutting your nails, try to immobilize the dog: sudden movements increase the risk of accidents;
  • Go little by little: it is better to cut less than to end up catching the vessel in the nail bed (nail bed) or some nerve ending;
  • Always follow the shape of the nail, tilting the dog nail clipper at a 45° angle,
  • Finish the procedure with a treat, this way, the pet will start to associate the cut with a pleasant sensation.

In the case of furry ones with white nails, it is easier to see where the blood vessels end. In dogs with dark nails, it is best to trim only the tips with the clipper, using sandpaper to reach the desired point.

Now that you understand the importance of clipping a dog’s nail and know how to do it safely!

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