Sunday, January 17, 2010

I just clipped my dogs nails, but they still seem too long to me. Are there guidlines?

There has to be a way of determining of her nails can still go shorter without clipping the quick. (her nails are black)I just clipped my dogs nails, but they still seem too long to me. Are there guidlines?
A good rule of thumb for darker nails (or any animal's nails actually) is to cut right below where the nail starts to curve. Also, keep in mind that frequent nail clipping will help keep the quick from growing longer. As a nail grows, so does the quick. So do many little trims of just the tip of the nail, and keep styptic powder on hand just incase.I just clipped my dogs nails, but they still seem too long to me. Are there guidlines?
From the base of the nail (bottom near pad) you should be cutting at a 45 degree angle if the nails are pretty long then the quick might have grown out to much, a vet can do a quick nail clip in which they can shorten them and then cauterize the quick to stop the bleeding.


I wouldnt suggest going this short by yourself if they are long.


If you do cut the quick corn starch or flour pressed into the quick will stop the bleeding.


Best bet is to try a cordless dremel


(must be cordless cause it had lower speeds)


Take a little off at a time checking the bottom of the nail when you see the pinkish quick stop, when your dog pulls her foot away she is feeling the heat on the quick, this method exposes the quick slightly and the pressure from walking helps push the quick back up into the nail bed, it also leaves the nails more rounded and so they dont snag on hose. (My clients loved that)
this is very difficult to determine wunseen, however usually you can clip to about halfway into the curve.


if the nails have become overgrown you need to trim back a little bit every week or so and thuis get the quick to retreat. you cannot get them to the desirable length in one cutting.
get pedipaws, as seen on tv! they work awesome and they dont clip they grind the nails down so u wont hurt the quick. you can grind a little down at a time cuz dogs quicks receed over time if you keep the nails short. as far as guidelines go, the nails shoulds click on the floor. if you hear your dogs nails clicking as she walks then the nails are too long and can cause disfiguration over time. ;)
yes there are cuticals inside the nail which can be very painful for them if cut.they can also bleed loads, my dog has black but she has a white one on each foot which i can line them up with so its easier....best if you take her to a pet superstore where they bath and groom your dogs i think its only about 拢3-拢4 to get them done.
Some dogs have longer quicks. My Terrier mix has very long nails because his quicks are long. I can't cut them any shorter.





It is hard to tell with the dark nails. Go slowly and make little tiny clips. If you hit a quick you will know about where to stop the next time. Have that quick stop ready.
I think you could try a strong light behind the nail and possibly see the ';quick';on some dogs. Otherwise, you could try one of those ';grinders'; that are ';as seen on TV';. They sell those at Rite-Aid here in California for $20.
The only way is to put the nail up to a bright light to try and see through. Other wise if you think that it is still too long take her to the vet and have it done. Don't risk cutting into the quik.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_n鈥?/a>





They show you how to do it and have some good pictures and explanations on how to know how far to go, even on black nails.
Each time you clip them you can clip them a tiny bit shorter because the quick will recede just a bit.
I would rather be safe than sorry just do a little bit once a week until they're the right length then maintain once a month. it might be somewhat safer to grind them down if your dog will tolerate it. The quick grows with the nail so the longer the nail gets the longer the quick gets.
Below is a detailed website.
i got one of those quick sensor nail trimmers from petsmart. it was $30 or $40 but it really works.

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