Written by: Robert Lewis from OurPetsMag.com

Your dog’s paws need as much care as your own hands and feet do. Not only are overgrown nails unsightly, but they can severely injure their paw pads and lead to nasty infections. When too long, neglecting them is also a significant threat to your floors, furniture, and home decor. Playtime, too, becomes challenging, as the probability of sustaining scratches from your jaunty pooch gets considerably higher. One of the most important tasks in taking care of your furry family member is clipping their nails. If you do it regularly, you’ll prevent them from becoming a hazard. Some people may have problems figuring out how to trim dog nails that are overgrown. However, while it’s not the easiest task, it’s also not as hard as it seems. You only need to follow a few tips. Keep in mind, though, that most dogs don’t particularly enjoy the nail trimming process. For this reason, you must try to make the exercise as fun as possible for you and your pooch. Does it sound daunting? It shouldn’t! This article will walk you through the best way to trim your dog’s nails. But first, let us look into the importance of cutting down dog nails that are too long.

Trimming your dog’s nails is not a complicated process. All you need is to get the right tools for the job before you begin. Grinders and clippers are the most commonly used devices. Noiseless devices, especially the LuckyTail, are highly recommended for the job. Robert Lewis

Why Trimming Overgrown Dog Nails Is Important

Dogs experience a lot of pain and discomfort when you don’t give their paws proper maintenance. Whenever an overgrown nail touches a hard surface, it pushes back on the nail bed. This extra pressure makes the toe joints twist. As a result, your pup might develop difficulties when walking. Long nails often get caught on carpets and other textile items. They can crack easily, causing the nail to bleed. The resulting wounds serve as easy entry points for bacteria, inducing other diseases in the long run. Therefore, it is vital to clip the dog nails regularly, using the best method available. Now, let’s get back to explaining how you should trim dog nails that are really long.

How to Trim Overgrown Dog Nails

Like we mentioned above, trimming your dog’s nails is not a complicated process. All you need is to get the right tools for the job before you begin. Grinders and clippers are the most commonly used devices. Noiseless devices, especially the LuckyTail, are highly recommended for the job.

By using such a great gadget, you are guaranteed better results without much hassle or any inconvenience.

The LuckyTail claw grinding device is innovative, quiet, and easy-to-operate. It is suitable for both big and small breeds. The LuckyTail's motor is super quiet, meaning that it is excellent for nervous pups too! Plus, your dog will not experience any disturbing buzz or vibration. Besides, this gadget is chargeable by USB cord. You'll never have to worry about getting back-up batteries again!

Other attractive features of the LuckyTail include two different speed modes, a detachable grinding wheel, and three grinding levels. You also get more hours of battery life versus the remarkably short charging time. On top of that, the outer plastic material is pet friendly, so you can be sure it will not harm your furry baby.

A Step-by-Step Process on Cutting Overgrown Dog Nails

Are you looking to learn and perfect how to trim your dog’s overgrown nails on your own? When you carry out the job with confidence, the process becomes easy and comfortable with a little practice. Yes, even with the most easily startled dogs. Here are the steps to follow to use a grinder the proper way. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro!

Step 1: Make sure your dog is comfortable

For a calm and uneventful grooming session, make sure that your dog is as comfortable as possible. Most pups quickly get used to the process if you start training them early. Make a habit of turning the grinder on to accustom the dog to the noise, and make it a playful event. However, if your pet requires some constraint, be patient. Give your pooch some cuddles and let them relax with a favorite blanket or toy. You can also sweet-talk the dog and play some soothing music. Then, place your furry pal on a table and stand facing their paws.

Step 2: Get in nail trimming position.

Always operate your grinder with your dominant hand. Reserve the other one for holding your dog’s paw. Then, place your thumb squarely on the bottom of the paw pad and let your other fingers circle round the top of it, close to the nail bed. Keep in mind some pups tend to get aggressive when nervous or scared. This behavior is normal to a certain extent. If your dog is excessively jittery, position yourself so that it won’t be easy for them to attack you or harm you accidentally.

Step 3: Identify the quick of the nail.

This part is essential. It is the most delicate part of the nail trimming process since a wrong move can severely injure the dog and lead to bleeding. Remember, the quick contains nerve endings and blood vessels, making it easily noticeable on light nails from its pinkish color. If your pet has dark nails, you need to pay close attention to the nails’ cross-section. A closer look will reveal a greyish or a dark dot indicating that you are near the quick. Once you see the sign, stop further trimming or grinding.

Step 4: Trim or grind the nail quickly, safely, and confidently.

To avoid harming your good boy, be slow and meticulous with the process. Begin by cutting from the nail’s bottom and proceed to the top until you get close to the quick. Concentrate more on the whitish, dead area of the nail. Once you have identified the part to trim or grind, act quickly and precisely to reach the intended length. In case of accidental injury, apply cornstarch or clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Your pooch should be just fine in no time!

Step 5: Repeat the process until you get to trim all of your dog's overgrown nails.

Once you have trimmed all the nails, repeat the process slowly, and ensure that each of them is slightly shorter than the pad. You can even fine-touch the job with a polishing attachment. This way, you’ll double-check that you didn’t leave any overgrown nails behind. Be sure to trim the dewclaw nail. This final step is critical for professional results.

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How Often to Trim Dog Nails

Dog nails that have grown too long are easy to take care of. Don't skip this vital task! Consistently grooming your dog is crucial to keeping the nails comfortably short and healthy. So, create some time at least once a month and give your dog a nail spa experience. The routine is also good for bonding. Find out how often you should trim dog nails in this article. Good luck!