Regular grooming helps keep your dog healthy and in top condition. Along with dental care, the occasional bath, coat trimming and brushing, dog nail clipping is an important part of pet grooming. The many benefits provided include a longer life for your pet and a sense of well-being. While many top dog groomers are available in Marlton, NJ, owners who are willing to nail clip their own dogs should understand the basics and apply the correct technique.
Leaving your dog's claws unclipped will result in them becoming curled. This may cause your dog to walk uncomfortably as it places pressure on the toes, and in some cases the toes may even pierce the paw pad, resulting in infection and pain. Trimming should be done monthly, or the quick (the nerves and blood vessels to the claw) will grow along with the nail, which then can't be cut properly.
There are two main types of nail clippers; the guillotine type, which is easiest to use, and the standard scissors type. The scissors type is used to trim nails that have curved into a circle. It is placed at right angle to the nail and the handle squeezed to move the blade. Guillotine trimmers consist of a stationary ring through which the nail is situated. The blade moves up to cut the nail upon squeezing the handles.
The nail should be cut at a distance of about 2 mm away from the quick. The quick is generally more visible on lighter colored nails, and so are easier to cut. Nail color may differ from one nail to the next, and each nail tends to be the same color as the skin and hair around it.
If the quick is not visible, make many small cuts beginning from the end of the claw. Keep cutting until a gray or pink oval is seen on the surface of the cut nail. The front claws will need more trimming than the rear ones because of their greater length. A final touch is to file the cut surface until smooth. Remember to only use sharp clippers to ensure a clean cut.
Make sure the blade is facing you, not your dog. This way, you are less likely to cut into the quick. If it is cut it will cause pain and bleed, but if this does happen, even without any treatment it should stop bleeding within five minutes.
Dew claws can get quite long and dig into the toe pad. They are non functional claws that can be found on the inner area of the paw, attached by loose skin. These claws can be trimmed using a guillotine style clipper as they are attached flexibly and so are easily moved to the desired position. Also trim any dew claws found on the inner surface of the paw.
Your confidence and skill in clipping your dog's nails will improve with experience, but if at any time you are unwilling or unable to do the job yourself, you can easily get it done by a professional groomer or vet in Marlton, NJ, and give your dog the care and attention he deserves.
Leaving your dog's claws unclipped will result in them becoming curled. This may cause your dog to walk uncomfortably as it places pressure on the toes, and in some cases the toes may even pierce the paw pad, resulting in infection and pain. Trimming should be done monthly, or the quick (the nerves and blood vessels to the claw) will grow along with the nail, which then can't be cut properly.
There are two main types of nail clippers; the guillotine type, which is easiest to use, and the standard scissors type. The scissors type is used to trim nails that have curved into a circle. It is placed at right angle to the nail and the handle squeezed to move the blade. Guillotine trimmers consist of a stationary ring through which the nail is situated. The blade moves up to cut the nail upon squeezing the handles.
The nail should be cut at a distance of about 2 mm away from the quick. The quick is generally more visible on lighter colored nails, and so are easier to cut. Nail color may differ from one nail to the next, and each nail tends to be the same color as the skin and hair around it.
If the quick is not visible, make many small cuts beginning from the end of the claw. Keep cutting until a gray or pink oval is seen on the surface of the cut nail. The front claws will need more trimming than the rear ones because of their greater length. A final touch is to file the cut surface until smooth. Remember to only use sharp clippers to ensure a clean cut.
Make sure the blade is facing you, not your dog. This way, you are less likely to cut into the quick. If it is cut it will cause pain and bleed, but if this does happen, even without any treatment it should stop bleeding within five minutes.
Dew claws can get quite long and dig into the toe pad. They are non functional claws that can be found on the inner area of the paw, attached by loose skin. These claws can be trimmed using a guillotine style clipper as they are attached flexibly and so are easily moved to the desired position. Also trim any dew claws found on the inner surface of the paw.
Your confidence and skill in clipping your dog's nails will improve with experience, but if at any time you are unwilling or unable to do the job yourself, you can easily get it done by a professional groomer or vet in Marlton, NJ, and give your dog the care and attention he deserves.
About the Author:
Pet owners can now take advantage of our grooming salon's dog nail clipping service by booking their pets online. Use this link to reach the site at http://www.scrubadubdogs.net.
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