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.
Claws that have been left uncut often grow curled. While this might not always be a problem, some dogs will find it too uncomfortable to walk as a result, due to the added pressure upon the toes, and if they end up piercing into the paw pad, your dog could suffer from pain and even infection. Another side effect is that the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves, called the quick, will grow, making the nail difficult to clip properly.
There are two basic types of nail trimmers; the standard scissors type, and the guillotine type, which is the easier of the two to use. The guillotine trimmer has a stationary ring where the nail is placed and cut as the blade moves up. The scissors trimmer is best used to shorten curved nails. Place it at right angle to the nail and squeeze the handles to cut.
Claws that are lighter in color are easier to clip than darker colored ones, because the quick is readily visible. The claw's is determined by the nearby hair and skin color. The nail should be cut no more than 2 mm away from the quick.
If the nail is dark and you can't see the quick clearly, the correct technique is to make multiple small cuts from the tip of the claw until you see an oval that is pink or gray in color, on the cut nail surface. Remember to always use clean, sharp trimmers, as this will ensure a clean and trouble free cut. You may find that the rear claws need trimming less often than the front ones as they tend to be shorter. As a finishing touch, smooth the cut surface with a file.
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.
Clipping your dog's claws is something you can successfully do yourself, with a little time and patience, and the right equipment. Alternatively, there are many good vets or dog groomers in Marlton, NJ who can do it for you. Either way, your dog will be happier because of it and will thank you for it.
Claws that have been left uncut often grow curled. While this might not always be a problem, some dogs will find it too uncomfortable to walk as a result, due to the added pressure upon the toes, and if they end up piercing into the paw pad, your dog could suffer from pain and even infection. Another side effect is that the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves, called the quick, will grow, making the nail difficult to clip properly.
There are two basic types of nail trimmers; the standard scissors type, and the guillotine type, which is the easier of the two to use. The guillotine trimmer has a stationary ring where the nail is placed and cut as the blade moves up. The scissors trimmer is best used to shorten curved nails. Place it at right angle to the nail and squeeze the handles to cut.
Claws that are lighter in color are easier to clip than darker colored ones, because the quick is readily visible. The claw's is determined by the nearby hair and skin color. The nail should be cut no more than 2 mm away from the quick.
If the nail is dark and you can't see the quick clearly, the correct technique is to make multiple small cuts from the tip of the claw until you see an oval that is pink or gray in color, on the cut nail surface. Remember to always use clean, sharp trimmers, as this will ensure a clean and trouble free cut. You may find that the rear claws need trimming less often than the front ones as they tend to be shorter. As a finishing touch, smooth the cut surface with a file.
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.
Clipping your dog's claws is something you can successfully do yourself, with a little time and patience, and the right equipment. Alternatively, there are many good vets or dog groomers in Marlton, NJ who can do it for you. Either way, your dog will be happier because of it and will thank you for it.
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