Use a soothing voice to keep her calm as you gently rub her paws. Then focus on the toes, giving each one a soft squeeze. Next apply gentle pressure to the nail itself. If your dog becomes scared or pulls back her paw, stop for a bit and continue only when she settles down.
Sedate your pup and use a pair of high-quality nail clippers to do the job yourself. If your dog is still stubborn, do not force the situation. Wait for another time or another day to try cutting his nails again. Train your dog to get comfortable around the nail clippers before trimming the nails.
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.
Most dogs need to have their nails trimmed approximately once monthly. Dogs that are frequently walked on pavement or concrete may be able to go a bit longer between nail trims, because walking on a hard, rough surface can help file the nail.
Your dog will forgive you, but could be wary the next time you bring out the clippers so it's important to build back up that positive experience. Not all dogs are going to be comfortable with having their feet touched, let alone having their nails clipped!
Long Nails Can Cause Pain
Long nails can impact how your dog walks. As the nail grows outward, it will also curve. A tight curve will eventually curl all the way around and start growing into your dog's foot pad – ouch! This is painful and can lead to infections.
The 'quick', which is at the centre of the nail, is a fleshy area with blood vessels and nerves inside. So, when cutting, it's important to avoid this as it can bleed a lot, be very sensitive and painful. If you are unsure where the quick could be, it's always best to get professional help or advice from your vet.
They'll infuse the space with calming pheromones in the air or essential oils through a diffuser. Perhaps they'll use certain shampoos with soothing ingredients, like lavender. If and when a vet writes a prescription of sedatives for a dog's grooming session, then the groomer can use those to keep a dog still.
Use treats
Your dog will begin to connect remaining calm with rewards for more relaxed grooming. For dogs of a nervous disposition, ask the owner's permission to give them food treats to encourage the continuation of good and obedient behaviour. Eventually, grooming will become much less of an ordeal for the dog.
Many groomers use petting or a soft voice to try to calm the dogs. Some dogs can be aggressive in grooming situations because they're afraid. Dogs act aggressive in situations where they are confused or afraid, and a good groomer will make your aggressive dog feel comfortable before beginning to groom.
Failing To Trim My Pet's Nails
However, long nails create potential issues for animals — a splayed foot, reduced traction, deformed feet, and even injured tendons over time. As long nails hit the ground, it puts force on the foot and leg structure. This force can potentially lead to arthritis and ongoing pain.
The nail will bleed and your dog will cry; it's just as painful as it is for us when one of our nails breaks into the quick. It's harder to see the quick in black nails, but if you look at the underside you can make it out sometimes.
A dog's aversion to having their paws handled is instinctive – in the wild, a wounded paw could be the difference between life and death. Naturally, dogs feel the need to protect their paws and even the sweetest, most well-trained dogs can react negatively to a nail trim.
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.