Ask for a sedated nail trim. Unless there is a medical reason not to sedate your dog, your vet should be able to do a sedated trim. Being sedated should make the nail trim process less traumatic for your pup.
Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps calm your pet when it is nervous about clipping its nails. Melatonin supplements: Help regulate body rhythm and help calm down your dog. Natural sedation methods: Herbs like California poppy, chamomile, rosemary, or valerian are natural relaxants.
Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite.
General Anesthesia: For critical cases, the dog may require to be put under general anesthesia for the grooming. Of course, this is done at the vet's office. This is frequently done in cases of overly troublesome dogs or when there may be pain or the need for the dog to remain still for extended periods of time.
Desensitizing their pet to grooming sounds – Desensitization is an effective technique for treating animal anxiety. For grooming, this can involve running nail clippers or a blow dryer next to the pet in short intervals and rewarding them with a treat afterwards.
Groomers might cover an aggressive dog's face with a towel while moving the dog. Aggressive dogs are restrained with a loop and most groomers have muzzles on hand for the toughest dogs. Neither of these devices will hurt your dog. Both ensure your dog stays on the table during the groom for her own safety.
Hyperactive, anxious, or aggressive dogs can also undergo sedation for routine vet visits, grooming, and nail trimming. The cost of sedation at the groomer can cost anywhere from $45-$100, depending on your dog's weight.
Pain is the main reason that dogs hate nail trims. If your dog has ever been cut too close, even once, he will remember it. Nature provides pain as a protection and if something hurts, an animal must learn to avoid, and even fight it. This is a survival instinct.
At the center of every dog nail is a bundle of nerves and blood vessels called a quick. Cutting this quick, or even applying pressure to the area around it, can cause your dog immense pain. Some breeds, such as Shiba Inus, pugs, shepherds, labs, and bully breeds, seem to have exceptionally sensitive quicks.
Gabapentin is a medication that can be used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. It's a common dog sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. Gabapentin is generally considered safe in healthy pets, with minimal side effects.
If your veterinarian says it's okay, give your dog 2 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight, or follow your veterinarian's dosing suggestion. Repeat the dose every 4-6 hours while you need to keep your dog sedated. Do not exceed a dose of 4 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight every 4-6 hours.
If you have a small dog, hold your dog in your lap or place them on a steady surface. If you have a large dog, it's helpful to have another person hold your dog while you cut their nails. Gently but firmly hold one of your dog's paws between your thumb and forefinger.
While melatonin has proven beneficial in the management of certain endocrine disorders, it is a helpful adjunct in canine stress disorders. Therefore, melatonin is offered as an over-the-counter recommendation for the dog with hospital associated aggression and anxiety (Table 1).
So, if it's possible and practical to trim your dog's nails weekly or at least every other week, you'll likely see better results, have a much less stressed dog, and experience less stress yourself in the process. The quick is the part of a dog's nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
Slowly start introducing brushing his coat in the more difficult areas first. These include around his face and ears, his paws, and his tail. Give him plenty of praise and treats to reward him for getting it right. Turn the clippers on if you are using them and let your pup get used to the noise.
If your dog doesn't react well to a brush, try a grooming glove that fits your hand to make it seem like they are being petted, not brushed. Start by brushing one small section at a time. Focus on sections that are easy to reach that don't bother your dog. As you move the brush through their fur, offer treats.
Pups are somewhat like human babies. Grooming sessions can make them very uncomfortable and even sad! In fact, it's not at all unusual to see your pup cowering from you or just looking very sad each time you bring him back from a grooming session.
Before a grooming trip, take time to touch around your dog's paws, eyes, muzzle, ears, tail, and rear area. Pair the touching with treats and words of encouragement. After your dog gets accustomed to these touches, use grooming tools. Familiarize your dog with brushes, nail trimmers, and hair clippers.
Like any medical procedure, anesthesia does have risks. These risks can run from minor problems, such as mild vomiting after recovery from anesthesia, to life-threatening problems such as cardiac arrest or stroke.