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

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Question

How do I trim my dog's nails when they're black?

Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer
Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.

Lancy Woo

Certified Pet Groomer

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Are my dog's toenails too long?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Can I use a nail file?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

What is the quick of a dog's nail?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Where can I get dog nail clippers?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Can you file a dog's nails?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

How often do you trim a dog's nails?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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.

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