The Importance of Trimming Your Pet’s Nails
The health of a beloved animal is a primary concern for all pet owners out there. With this in mind, consistently trimming your dog’s or cat’s nails on a 2–3-week schedule can keep them away from short-term pain and sometimes even long-term irreversible damage. When your pup’s long nails break or crack it causes walking issues and can lead to cuts or sores on the dog’s paws, causing a shift in their overall posture. Cats, meanwhile, need regular trimmings to help mitigate destructive behavior.
Below, we will go over some of the basics for keeping your pet’s nails trimmed and in check over time.
Trimming Your Pet’s Nails: The Basics
Trimming your dog’s nails consistently not only helps prevent potential pain, but it can also assist them with better posture, balance, and comfort. For cats, regular scratching is a part of their natural routine, but trims can help prevent them from destroying furniture and other objects in the home.
It’s important to note that there are two parts of an animal’s nail: the living part of the nail that is known as the pink quick, and the hard outer layer known as the shell. The quick delivers blood to the nail, and the nerve endings at the core can potentially cause pain and bleeding when a cut occurs. When your pet is on a regular trimming schedule, the quick of the nail recedes from the end, creating less risk of pain and bleeding.
Follow these critical steps when you perform nail trimming at home:
- Make sure you grasp the paw gently but firmly, then place your thumb on the pad of the toe and your index finger on the top of your pet’s toe on the skin atop the nail. Be sure that no fur is in your way before moving forward.
- Next, you are going to want to extend the nail by pushing your thumb down lightly on the pad while pushing your index finger forward.
- Now, as you clip, be sure to do so only on the very tip of the nail horizontally. Also, ensure that you trim the dewclaws found on the inner side of the paw.
- Lastly, to avoid hitting the sensitive quick of your pet’s nail where the blood vessels rest, do not trim past the curve of the tip of the nail.
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Categories: Cats, Do It Yourself, Dogs, Pet Grooming, Tips for Your Pets