Many dogs require regular nail trims to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort. To ensure the process goes smoothly, the experts from Southgate, KY’s, top pet hospital, Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital, has the advice you need. This way, pets can walk away manicured and free of harm. 

Tools 

You can’t use just any tool on your pooch’s nails. Dogs’ nails are curved and thick, requiring specialized clippers to cut smoothly and at the correct angle. Pet hospitals suggest utilizing a pair with a concave shape. Blunt clippers may cause your pet’s nail to crack, so ensure the pair you get are sharp. 

This task requires immense precision and care, and depending on the temperament of the dog, can initially be quite challenging. For squirmy or anxious dogs, utilizing treats and gradually warming your pal up to the clippers can help make the process easier.

Methods

Dogs’ nails contain bundles of nerves and blood vessels inside the bed, called the quick. If impacted, the quick can cause severe pain as well as make your pet more vulnerable to infections. For this reason, you need to be extremely careful to avoid cutting the nail too far down. When you take off too much, the nail bed will begin to bleed. If you have a dog with light colored nails, you will actually be able to see the light pink quick area beneath the surface. If you can’t, only trim just enough to ensure your dog’s nails don’t drag on the ground.

If you feel uncomfortable trimming your pet’s nails, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian or groomer to do so for you. At a minimum, a professional can demonstrate the process, so you can feel more confident tackling the task on your own.

For the support your furry friend needs, from nail clippings to wellness testing, consult Southgate’s compassionate veterinarians. The team from Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital strives to provide the gentle, individualized support every pet deserves. To learn more about how the pet hospital can help, visit the website or call today at (859) 781-1800.