Thinking about clipping your dog's nails at home? Here's everything you need to know, straight from a professional groomer.

Why Trim Your Dog's Nails?

While humans love a fresh mani-pedi because it looks fab, dog nail maintenance is more than cosmetic. Unhealthy, long nails can cause pain and in rare instances, trigger more-serious issues. We’ll share more on that later.

You might be wondering, what do dog nails consist of? Well, there’s the tender pink “quick” and the hard outer surface, aka the “shell.”

Not only does the quick supply blood to the nail, it runs through the core of it. Nerves in the quick can cause bleeding and discomfort when cut, which is why short quicks are always preferred.

Regular nail trims cause the quick to recede from the end (ideal!) leading to easy maintenance + your dog’s well-being = win win.

Why are long dog nails no bueno? They can turn a happy paw into a splayed foot and reduce traction. They can also cause deformed feet and injure your pup’s tendons over time (serious ouch). As long nails hit the ground, the pressure adds force on their foot and leg structure.

That said, some dogs wear their nails down and don’t need clipping as often. (See “Does Walking Help File My Dog’s Nails” below.)

When Are a Dog's Nails Too Long?

Here are a few tell-tale signs your dog’s in need of a nail clip:

• You hear nails click-clacking on hard floors or the sidewalk

• There's a long, slender curve coming off the nail

• The nail extends far past the quick (only visible on dogs with white nails)

Get Them Comfortable with The Process

As nail trims can seem intimidating at first, our expert groomer pulled together this 7-day gradual approach to help you and your pup ease into their first clip.

But it may take longer than a week for your dog to feel comfortable, so don’t despair. As long as you’re patient and gentle with a positive attitude — and you continue to offer praise and rewarding treats — your dog will get in their trim groove in no time.

Before we embark on our 7-day ease-in to nail clipping, here are 3 helpful tips:

1.  Make sure you use safe, dog-friendly nail clippers or grinders.

 

2.  For all you puppy parents: It helps to frequently touch and hold your puppy's paws (gently) from their first day at home so they become less-sensitive to their feet being handled.

 

3.  Treats and praise (as mentioned!) are essential to this process. Forgive our repetition below, but as you’ll see, they work like a charm.

Day 1: Let your dog sniff the nail clipper or grinder. Give them treats and praise for conquering day one!

 

Day 2: Touch the nail clipper or grinder lightly on each paw, without turning it on. Give treats and praise.

 

Day 3: Touch the nail clipper to each paw and squeeze the clipper so your puppy hears the sound. Or turn the grinder on and let your puppy feel the vibration. Don't actually trim a nail. Give treats and praise.

 

Day 4: Touch the nail clipper or grinder to your puppy's feet again. Ditto for treats and praise.

 

Day 5: Try trimming off the tiniest tip from one front paw nail. Only do one nail. Offer heaps of praise and treats if your puppy lets you. Even if they let you do more, just clip one for now. Repeat this every day until they don't seem to mind.

 

Day 6: Try trimming the itty-bitty tip off two nails. And yes, continue treating and praising!

 

Day 7: Keep on keepin’ on. Each day, trim another nail until you've cut them all and your dog doesn't mind. As we said, this often takes longer than a week, especially with more sensitive, skittish dogs, so practice at a pace that feels comfortable.

Even pretending you're clipping and going through the motions helps your dog get used to the routine.

How to Cut Dog Nails: Step-by-Step

When your pup’s feeling more comfortable with paw touches and the prospect of a nail trim, it’s time to revisit our step-by-step guide (so bookmark it on your browser!)

Step 1: Gather Supplies

A successful nail trim requires some trusty items so be sure to have these handy:

• Dog Training Treats

• Nail clippers or a nail grinder

• Styptic powder or cornstarch/flour

• An extra pair of hands (helpful but optional!)

• Calm nerves and lots of patience

Step 2: How to Start

While it's tempting to pick up your dog's paw from the front and look at the nails head-on, some pet parents find this easier:

• Sit on the side of your dog

• Reach under and around your dog's leg and hold their paw

• With your free hand, trim their nails with clippers

For some dogs, it's easier if you sit behind your pup, flip their paw backward, and look at the bottom of their foot. (Our pro-groomer’s preferred method.)

This gives you a great view of what you're doing while keeping your dog's leg in a natural position.

Step 3: Isolate the Nail to Cut

Once you decide which toe to start with, expose the nail.

If your dog has furry feet, you'll need to push (or trim) hair out of the way so you can see what you’re doing!

Quick note: This is especially important if you're using a nail grinder. One downside to nail grinders is they can grab fur and yank. If that happens, your dog might be hesitant to try again. 

Back to isolating the nail, here’s a quick, helpful tutorial:

• Place your forefinger on the toe's pad.

• Place your thumb on the top of the toe, on the skin above the nail.

• Push your forefinger up and backward on the pad.

• Push your thumb forward to extend the nail away from the foot.

Definitely give this step a few practice runs before their first nail trim. You’ll feel more confident and your dog will be more relaxed.

Step 4: Decide Where to Cut

Put simply, the goal is to cut your dog's nails as short as possible without injuring them. If you avoid the quick and follow this advice — you’ll be a pro trimmer in no time.

• For white nails, avoid cutting the pink part.

• On most dog nails, the part you can safely cut is much skinnier than the rest of the nail.

• When cutting black nails, cut off a little bit at a time. When you're getting near the quick, the inside of the nail will look chalky and white. Stop when you see a black dot in the middle of the white area — that's the end of the quick.

Step 5: Don't Forget the Dewclaws

Most dogs have “dewclaws” on the inside of their front legs. They’re up the leg a bit further than your pup's other toes and they’re loosely attached.

Some dog breeds, like Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees, have double dewclaws on their back legs, so be sure to check all four feet.

How to Choose Nail Grinders and Clippers

Fortunately for home-dog-groomers like you, there are lots of options to choose from. Maybe try a few and see what your pup responds to best.

• Guillotine-style clippers: These have a helpful hole to poke the nail through and they stay sharper for longer. Better for more-practiced home manicurists.

• Scissors-style clippers: As their name says, they resemble small scissors but with divots near the blade ends. Best for small dogs and puppies.

• Pliers-style clippers: Similar to scissors-style clippers, these have a spring, making them stronger. Better for larger, thick nails.

• Nail grinder: Commonly referred to by the “Dremel” brand name, this files your dog's nails smooth while making it easier to avoid the quick. Good for all dogs but it can take some practice.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails

If you opt for a dog-friendly nail grinder, it’s super important to learn how to use one safely before trying it on your pup. Hence why we pulled together these helpful tips:

1.  Only use a grinder designed specifically for dogs.

2.  Pretend to use it until you become more familiar.

3.  For better control, hold the grinder higher up, towards the top.

4.  Make sure your dog is comfortable — and take note of any sensitivities.

5.  If your dog has longer hair, keep it away from the grinder so it doesn't get caught.

6.  Support your dog's toe firmly but gently.

7.  Only grind a tiny part of each nail at a time.

8.  Grind the tip of the nail gently, smoothing rough edges.

9.  Reward each-and-every nail trim with yummy chicken treats.

What to Do If You Catch the Quick

Every dog parent’s worst nightmare is catching the quick. It happens to many of us and it’s pretty darn scary. But fear not, your dog will be okay and your heart rate will return to normal.

Nail bleeds happen when you clip too short and catch the quick, the blood vessel in their nail. If you happen to catch it, try to stop the nail from bleeding by using either a styptic pencil or styptic powder — both aid in clotting the blood. That’s why it’s always good to have these on hand for at-home grooming!

If your dog's quick is exposed:

• Put pressure on the nail with a clean cloth or bandage dressing.

• As mentioned, use a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.

• If the bleeding doesn't slow down or stop in an hour, take your dog to the vet.

More Tips from a Professional Groomer

If you couldn’t tell, we love sharing helpful advice with our readers. So before we move onto Frequently Asked Questions about at-home nail clipping, here are few more top tips from a professional groomer:

1.  Dogs sense our nervousness and fear, so it’s best to try clipping when you’re feeling calm and confident.

2.  For many dogs, a good time to clip nails is right after their bath, because they’re often feeling relaxed.

3.  If your dog’s not diggin’ having their nails done — or you haven't clipped them before — try handling their paws more often, or rub the clippers gently on their toes over a few weeks without actually using them.

4.  Cutting all nails at once can be overwhelming for your dog so just do one or two a day.

5.  Don't forget their dewclaws! (Some dogs also have back ones!)

6.  We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: Always reward your pup with a yummy treat after every nail clip, so they associate it with a positive experience!

FAQs

Does Walking Help File My Dog's Nails?

A lot of dogs naturally wear down their nails just by walking and playing on hard surfaces. If your pup exercises daily on concrete or pavement, their nails may stay at a healthy length. But still keep an eye on those nails!

If you have an older dog — or you live in a rural region with soft fields or woodland — your pup’s probably less likely to wear down their nails, so they’ll need trims more often.

When Are My Dog's Nails Too Long?

If you hear them tap-tap-tapping on hard surfaces, your dog’s nails could probably use a cut.

Regular visual checks are helpful too so set a reminder on your phone. If they’re looking lengthy or they’re inhibiting your dog’s movement or life enjoyment, it’s time for a trim!

Which Dog Nail Clippers Should I Use?

We recommend scissor / plier-type clippers instead of guillotine-style clippers — the latter can crush your dog’s toe causing a lot of pain (traumatic for you and your pup).

Plier / Scissors-style clippers are more appropriate for larger dogs and dogs with thicker nails. They may be easier to use because you can cut from several different angles.

When Should I Start Clipping my Puppy's Nails?

It’s often easier to get a puppy (vs. a grown dog) on board with nail trims as they’re more receptive to new experiences.

As there’s not much nail to clip at first, start when your puppy’s around six-weeks old. Touch those toes often (if they’ll let you), so they feel comfortable when the time comes. 

From 6 weeks on, try to get on a regular clipping schedule. We recommend once a week, even if you’re only trimming a tiny amount.

How do I Trim My Dog's Dewclaws?

Contrary to what you might think, clipping dewclaws can be a lot easier than clipping your dog’s other nails.

Here’s how you do it: Run your finger under the nail. If their dewclaw catches or hooks your finger, it could use a trim.

Helpful tip (to avoid an injury!): Trim back only until your finger slides off it easily. If you cut too far you may cause pain and bleeding.

What If My Dog's Nails are Really Overgrown?

If you don't trim your pooch's nails at home — or get them trimmed by a professional groomer — they can grow so long they go into the pad. If this happens, don’t attempt a nail clip at home, bring your dog to the vet.

On your visit, the vet may prescribe a course of antibiotics to ensure the nails / paws don’t get infected. Don’t decline the antibiotic as your pup will need it.

It probably goes without saying but this is why consistent nail trimming is so important!

In sum, there’s no quick fix for routine nail maintenance. Our advice is to start slowly, stay patient with the process (even just one nail a day), and remember that small improvements are still improvements after all.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.