Q&A for How to Trim a Dog's Nails

You'll have to be extra careful of cutting into the quick. Start at the tip of the nail and only trim off a small section at a time. Check the end of the nail and stop cutting if you see a translucent black or white dot.

As a general rule, you should be able to slide a piece of paper between the nail and the ground when the dog stands on a hard surface. If you cannot do this, the nails are digging in and too long.

Absolutely. A coarse emery board or a nail file is a great option if you don't feel confident to trim the nails. Don't feel you need to do all the nails in one go, instead, do one or two toes each evening when the dog is relaxed beside you. You can also purchase mini-grinders that are designed for this purpose.

The quick is the living part of the nail, containing blood vessels and nerves. The quick is contained within the protective sheath of the nail, and is the part that bleeds if the claw is cut too short.

These are widely available both online and from good pet stores. If you have a very small or large dog that requires an unusual size of clipper, then speak to your vet clinic. They will be able to order in an appropriate pair of clippers from their wholesaler.

Absolutely. Filing a dog's nails is a great option if you aren't confident about clipping (which risks damaging the quick). Use a coarse emery board or a small craft sander and file down a little at a time.

This depends on how much exercise the dog gets and if they walk on soft or hard ground. A dog that gets no exercise at all may need a trim every 3 - 4 weeks.