Have you ever tried to cut your pet’s nails only to have him or her run away or even try to bite you?
In this article, we will discuss various techniques to help you cut your pet’s nails at home with the least amount of stress, fuss or injury involved.
The importance of trimming your pet's nails
Being able to trim your pet’s nails at home is a luxury and a privilege in more ways than one. Having the ability to trim your pet’s nails at home is convenient, economical and less stressful than having to make a trip to your vet or groomer. In addition, letting your pet’s nails grow excessively can result in several problems that you definitely want to avoid.
Overgrown nails can:
- cause pain to your pet when standing or walking
- penetrate into your pet’s paw pads resulting in pain and infection
- increase the risk of the nail getting caught on something and becoming torn
- cause injury to you or your other pets through accidental or intentional scratches
- ruin your floors and furniture
Clearly, keeping your pets’ nails trimmed has its benefits and is incredibly important.
Types of nail clippers
Several different models of nail clippers exist and interestingly, they are not “one size fits all.” The type of nail clippers you choose will largely depend on your personal preference, but in any situation, one type is often more appropriate than another.
Below are the various types of nail clippers and the scenarios in which they best apply.
How to convince your pet to let you trim their nails
Many dogs and cats naturally resent having their nails trimmed or even having their feet touched at all. If this is the case with your pet, a training method called counter-conditioning may help you achieve the goal of being able to trim your pet’s nails at home.
To counter-condition your pet is to train them to feel and respond in a positive manner when faced with a certain stimulus that he or she would have previously felt or acted negatively towards. This can be achieved by repeatedly rewarding a positive or even neutral reaction to the stimulus until the negative reaction is eliminated.
How to counter-condition your pet
- To start, simply show your pet the nail clippers from a distance and reward them with a small treat when he or she exhibits calmness in response to the stimulus.
- If your pet happens to respond negatively (e.g. runs away, growls, hisses), try again later but this time present the clippers from far enough away that your pet does not react negatively or at all. Praise and reward their lack of reaction.
- Once your pet is comfortable with this, move on by presenting the nail clippers from a closer distance to your pet and continue to reward them when they do not react in a negative manner.
- As your pet learns that a neutral reaction is what is rewarded, increase the level of stimulation and repeat the process.
- Eventually you can try touching your pet’s legs, first with your hands and eventually, with the nail clippers.
- As your pet becomes more and more counter-conditioned and accepting of these exercises, move on to touching the nails with the clippers, and eventually trying to trim a nail.
As you can see, this process requires a lot of patience. Do not get frustrated or rush your pet’s progress, as this will only bring you further away from the ultimate goal. If you encounter a setback, try again another day, and/or return to a less stimulating action so as not to overwhelm your pet. With time, your dog or cat should become conditioned to accept the things you do as he or she learns that their calmness is expected and will be rewarded.
It may take weeks or even months, but in the end you should have a pet that allows you to trim every nail in a single sitting.
Tips for your pet's next nail trim
Below are some insider tips on how to trim your pet’s nails and avoid common hiccups.
- Recruit a helper– Even the most accepting cat or dog may still feel inclined to move or react to the sensation of having their nails clipped. Having another person available to restrain and pet your dog or cat while they have their nails trimmed can really go a long way in keeping them calm and getting the job done.
- Lay your pet down– The easiest way to gain access to all four of your pet’s paws is by having him or her lay on their side. Having your assistant hold your pet in this position will also limit your pet’s ability to simply get up and walk away. If your pet resents being held on their side, try having your helper hold your pet in the standing position instead.
- Extend your cat’s nails for better visualization– Cat nails are normally retracted when not in use and can therefore be difficult to see. To be able to visualize and trim your cat’s nails, gently but firmly apply pressure to each toe until the nail extends outward.
- Don’t cut the quick– The nerves and blood supply of each nail lie within an area called the quick. In the case of light colored nails, the quick can be seen as the pink inner core within the nail. With black colored nails, the quick unfortunately cannot be seen. When trimming your pet’s nails, cut carefully and conservatively so as not to accidentally cut the quick.
- Stop the bleeding– If you accidentally cut the quick, your pet will experience momentary pain and bleeding. Don’t worry– it happens. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the cut surface of the nail with a cotton swab for 30-60 seconds. Then, slowly release pressure and apply corn starch or flour to the site to prevent the bleeding from starting up again. Some commercially made products like “Kwik Stop Styptic Powder” can also be helpful.
You’ve now learned the best ways to cut your pet’s nails and how to minimize injuries, stress and headaches along the way. Through practice and repetition, you and your pet will quickly become accustomed to the routine and any worries about trimming your pet’s nails should soon become a thing of the past.
If the tips outlined in this article just don’t seem to be working, no matter what you do, don’t feel bad. In some cases, a visit to your local veterinary hospital may be necessary as some pets truly benefit from a bit of light sedation to help alleviate their anxiety and allow for a smooth and stress-free nail trim.
