Nail care is an important step for a large dog’s health. It prevents your pooch from slipping on the floor, and gives him more comfort to walk as overgrown nails can press into his paw and hurt him. Trimming your pet’s nails is as simple and painless as can be with the right device. However, some extra care needs to be taken for his comfort.
What's The Best Tool for Trimming?
To take care of your big best buddy claws at home, consider having a nail grinder. It’s an efficient, safe, easy-to-use, and above all, pet-friendly device to use on your dog‘s nails. One major advantage of a nail grinder is its safety. The tool trims in short and quick spurts that give you time to see the quick - the part of your nail full of nerves and veins, which you want to avoid cutting. Nail grinders are the most recommended device for large dogs as you can grind in short spurts and also have a better view of his nails, which ensures his safety and comfort throughout the process. Among all brands of grinders, LuckyTail stands out for large puppies due to its silent, vibration-free, and powerful motor capable of easily sanding even the thickest nails. The device also supports extra hard grinding heads, made exclusively for large dogs.
Large Dog Nail Structure
Before starting grinding, you should understand the anatomy of your pooch’s claws. The nail has two main parts: a hard keratinized outer shell and the living part of the nail, called the quick, which is rich in nerves and blood vessels. Cutting the quick can cause bleeding and pain, that’s why, ideally, you should trim just the shell.
But how to find the quick? It’s easy to spot the reddish quick on light-colored nails. However, if your dog’s nails are black - which is the vast majority of large dogs - you’ll have to take extra care since it’s not possible to detect the quick by eye. In this case, you should look at your dog’s nail head-on, the pink or black core in the center of the claw is the enervated part.
Trimming Your Large Pooch's Nails
The first thing you need to know is that nail trimming is a process that requires patience, kindness, and lots of treats. You shouldn’t use force to get the nails done quickly. That said, before starting grinding your pet’s nails make him feel comfortable and used to the sound of the device. Once you know he’s comfortable, turn on the nail grinder at a low speed, tilt the device at a 45-degree angle and gently start grinding from the top of the claw, slowly bringing it down. You should repeat this process in short sequences and also take a few breaks to avoid overheating a nail. Don’t forget to always check the bottom of the nail and stop grinding before touching the black core. Tip: If your pet has thick claws, consider using an extra hard grinding head instead of a regular one to sand the nail. After taking off the sharp tip, switch to a regular head and touch his nails again in a circular motion around the tip to polish and smooth it. After you’re done, reward your dog with a treat. Even though they’re big and strong, large pooches can also be very sensitive and scared. The best way to make them feel comfortable with trimming is to allow them to associate with something they love.
Extra Tips for Nail Care
If your dog is a bit nervous about having his nails ground, don’t force him to go through it. For a positive experience, he must feel comfortable and confident when giving you his pawn. The best thing is to pamper him a lot and convey confidence. If he’s still terrified with the idea of cutting his claws, consider asking a vet to do it until your pooch gets used to it. To avoid stress, start grinding your pet’s nails from an early age to get him used to the process. You should check his paws weekly and as soon as you notice that they’re clicking on the floor, it’s time to trim. Don’t forget to always praise him after grinding his nails.
