Most dogs do not need to have their toenails trimmed; their toenails will be trimmed naturally when dogs walk on hard surfaces such as sidewalks. But untrimmed toenails can break, bleed, or even grow into the paw, which can be uncomfortable for your dog. If your pet makes a clicking sound when walking on hard surfaces, then his toenails obviously need trimming. So how should you trim your dog’s nails?

1. How to prune

Sit on the ground with your dog in your arms, or in another position that feels comfortable to you. Use pet-specific toenail clippers and make sure they are sharp and easy to use.

Firmly hold your pet's paw and place it on your lap, pressing lightly on the paw so the toenails stretch. Start trimming from the front end of the toenail, keeping the toenail clippers at a 45-degree angle to the toenail. Pay special attention to the tender flesh under your toenails. For white toenails, the pink part on the surface is the tender meat of the dog. When trimming black toenails, you should start from the front of the toenail and only trim very short toenails at a time. If there are black spots in the center of the toenail, it means that the tender meat can already be seen, and you should stop trimming immediately.

The tender meat under the toenail is rich in nerves and blood vessels, and it will bleed if it is slightly damaged. If you accidentally cut tender flesh, use a cotton ball to apply pressure to the wound. When the bleeding stops, do not wipe away the clot. Ask your veterinarian if the bleeding has really stopped.

Remember to trim your pet’s toenails on their upper paws, which are located on the inside of the dog’s legs. If left untrimmed, these nails will bend inward and grow into the soft tissue, like an ingrown toenail.

Toenails should be trimmed once a week and at least twice a month. The more frequently you prune, the easier it will be to do it—a small amount often rather than a large amount at once.

2. Pruning suggestions

Teach your dog to trim his toenails when he is young. You can "pretend trim" by first touching the dog's paw and then giving it its favorite treat as a reward.

Please use a regular toenail file to trim the soft toenails of puppies, or trim the easily broken toenails of older dogs. This will not easily cause pain or bleeding.

Even for animals that aren't afraid of having their toenails trimmed, you'll need to impose a certain level of restraint and restraint. Of course, the best way is to let your baby adapt to these restraint methods (such as hugging, holding a leg or gently pressing the toes, etc.), and then give it enough rewards.