Giving Your Pooch A Pedicure

Trimming toenails at home can be a simple endeavor with some proper instruction. Before tackling this task, it is important to have a veterinarian or a groomer give you a pedicure demonstration on your own dog’s toenails. Doggie toenails vary extensively in shape and hardness, and each requires some skill in knowing where and how to make the cut.

After that, the biggest challenge is restraining the pet. Most dogs do not like to have their feet touched. The common mistake people make is trying to accomplish this feat sitting on the floor. But this makes it too easy for the pet to get away, and usually when we play with our pets we sit on the floor with them. Therefore they do not recognize this to be a serious task because they are not restrained properly.

It is important to put the dog up onto something, a counter, a table, a workbench, etc., so that movement is limited. Do not leave a pet unattended while he is up on a structure. If possible, it is best to have a helper to hold onto the dog while you clip the nails.

It is vital that the nail clippers be very sharp. Good quality nail trimmers can be purchased at stores for under ten dollars. The most common varieties are scissor and guillotine. Scissor types have blades that come together in a scissor-type mechanism. Guillotine clippers have an opening in which to place the nail, then the blade comes up from underneath. Smaller dogs’ toenails respond well to both types, but large breeds have harder nails, making the scissor-type more effective.

Every toenail has a blood supply, much like our “quick,” which must not be cut. The nail will bleed extensively if cut too short. If your dog’s nails are white, the blood supply can be easily seen under the surface. The most effective method to trim toenails is to take off a small portion of the nail at a time, until you almost reach the quick. The nail should be clipped approximately 1/4 of an inch from this blood supply.

It is very important to recognize the shape of the toenail in order to properly cut it, which is where the demonstration mentioned earlier comes in handy. This is especially important if the dog’s toenails are black, as the blood supply will be impossible to see. If any of your dog’s nails have grown around to form a circle, please seek the assistance of a professional groomer or veterinarian to properly trim these nails.

If you happen to nick the blood supply during the pedicure and nail begins to bleed, do not panic. This type of bleeding can usually be controlled with products you have around the house. The best bet is a styptic pencil or a dab of styptic powder. These work great to control the bleeding, and can usually be found in the medicine cabinet.

If that isn’t an option, flour and cornstarch are great substitutes. Dab a dime-sized amount into your palm, then drag the dog’s toenail down and through the powder. This will form a little plug inside of the nail cavity by forcing some of the powder up into the nail where the blood is coming from. Apply some pressure onto the bottom of the nail holding the powder inside for a few minutes.

It is important to limit the dog’s activity for a while afterward. If disturbed too soon, the nail will resume bleeding. If you’ve cut the quick severely and these methods do not work, you may need to make a quick trip to your vet to have the nail cauterized. But if you are careful this can be an easy task with some practice.

The nail trimming process can easily be performed at home by the pet owner with the proper tool and instruction, and of course, a fairly cooperative pooch! First, consult the professionals before attempting this endeavor. With proper preparation, this task can become part of the home grooming process for your canine pal.

Shannon Lynnes Heggem is an international speaker with a strong background in the pet care industry.

In the 1990′s, she established an upscale boarding resort and grooming spa in Havre, Montana. She then founded the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, a vocational school focused on pet-related careers.

Shannon quickly became one of the top experts in the pet care industry, as an educator, business consultant, speaker, and contest judge. She was the first Certified Master Groomer in Montana, and went on to become a Certified Kennel Operator. Only four people in the world actually hold both of these certification titles!

In 1998, Shannon’s life was forever changed when she narrowly escaped death. She was viciously attacked in her kennel by a Rottweiler, and amazingly, survived.

Since then, Shannon has overcome incredible obstacles to continue her life’s journey. The trauma was a turning point for her; she has now dedicated her life to writing and speaking, to help motivate others to succeed beyond their own experiences.