Nail Clipping

[Rudy's_Buddy]

How often should it get done(on average)? And how short can they be clipped SAFELY?

Thanks
T

[Dax]

That depends on the dog, it's age, level of activity and terrain. Older dogs need theirs clipped more often, dogs that do a lot of walking on concrete need it done less often.

If you cut into the quick it hurts and bleeds, so less than that. As your vet or groomer to show you how the first time.

[Rudy's_Buddy]

I know how to clip Rudy's nails, but I'm just not sure how much I can take off without hurting him. Generally I take the pointy tips off about once every 2 weeks or so, depending on how they look because if I don't they get rough and catch on the carpet.. What kind of nail clipper is best for dogs? The one I'm using right now is ment for cats, but it works on Rudy too. Its the kind that looks like a scissors, not the kind really ment for dogs, the ones that have the springs and sliding blade(the noise they make scares him..)
Are there any of the scissor type nail clippers for dogs? like ones that are heavy-duty and bigger.

Thanks
T

[bellaNchico]

What if you have a dog that wont let you cut there nails?

[Dax]

Rudy what you're doing sounds fine - even a little often. Every time you cut the quick recedes a little. In the summer if you're doing more walking on concrete - you can likely do it less often. It depends a lot of the dog's nails. You could stretch it out to once a month and still be fine

I went out and bought a good solid pair of dog nail clippers with a guard. I like them and they have lasted years.

Bella - you need to spend time and get your dog(s) used to getting their nails & feet handled.

[Rudy's_Buddy]

Don't worry Dax, I don't do any drastic nail clipping, I just take off the sharp/rough edges, and if Rudy's nails or fine when I check I leave them for another week or two. By trimming them a couple times a month I've gotten the nails to a nicer length, before we didn't have a clipper that he would let us come close to him with. Also since summer is here he'll get more walks and they get trimmed naturally.

T

[caniche_chienne]

cut up to the quick (the fleshy part inside the nail that bleeds). if your dog has clear nails, cut right up to the pink part. if the nails are black, cut off a little at a time, until there is a big white circle in the center of the nail tip. if the quicks are too long (that is, if you want the nails shorter than you're getting them) clip the nails every two weeks for a while to recede the quick. otherwise cut them like every 6 weeks or so. if the nail bleeds and you don't have any kwik stop, take a pinch of flour and hold to to the tip of the nail to stop the bleeding.