Does the idea of sitting down and trimming your dog’s nails intimidate you? You’re not alone. However, keeping your dog’s nails short and tidy is an important part of maintaining their overall health. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be a chore – you can even turn nail trimming sessions into “quality time” spent with your dog! Here are some tips to help make your nail trimming sessions less of a battle.

Before we begin, it’s important that you assess the activity level of your dog. If your dog is very active, cutting their nails may be unnecessary as they wear their nails out naturally due to the high mileage that they cover.

1. Hold your dog’s foot gently, but firmly.

You can use either scissors or guillotine-like clippers to trim your dog’s nails. The nail clippers should be of good quality and come with a guide to help you know how to use it to avoid harming the dog during the process of nail cutting.

2. Use your fingers to separate the toes for clipping.

You can also use your fingers to feel around the toenails to ensure that you do not cut the dog’s quick (a spongy spot near the toenails). Cut the nail below the quick at an angle of 45 degrees, taking off small bits at a time. The clippers guide will come in handy in showing you how to safely cut the toenails.

3. Trim only until you see the white inside of the nail.

The white part of the nail has a small dot of black in the center. If you do not see the white; you can cut a bit closer. Remember to give your dog lots of encouragement, and even treats if necessary!

4. Use the blunt edges of children’s scissors to remove excess toe hair.

Do not use the clippers to cut the hair because nothing dulls the clippers quicker than contact with hair. Avoid squeezing your dog’s toes.

How Often Should Dog Fingernails Be Trimmed?

You will most likely need to trim your dog’s nails between every two weeks to every two months. Listen for the sound of nails hitting the floor, as this is a tell-tale sign that your dog’s nails may need trimming.