It's really important not to cut the live quick; this is the pink area within the nail where the nerves and blood vessels are, similar to the area underneath our own nails. Cutting into the quick will cause pain and bleeding, so avoid it by at least a few millimetres.
It's best to not cut within 2 millimeters of the quick. As you cut the nail deeper, a gray to pink oval starts to appear at the top of the cut surface of the nail. Stop cutting the nail at this point as additional cutting will cut into the quick and cause bleeding. Styptic powder stops bleeding when applied.
The quick within a dog's nail is a “vascular structure,” meaning it has nerves and lots of blood vessels within it. So when it sustains an injury, it is painful for the dog—and there tends to be a lot of bleeding. Cutting your dog's nail too much and seeing it bleed can be a traumatizing event.
Generally, your dog's nails shouldn't touch the ground when he's standing upright on all four feet. There is no hard and fast rule as to how far from the floor those nails should be; it varies from dog to dog. If the nails click on the floor, they are usually too long.
Dogs could possibly cause some minor damage to hardwood floors, and in some cases, it will be more obvious than in others. For example, some people like the look of black hardwood floors, but they show scratches from dog nails more clearly than lighter floors.
Long nails that touch the ground may cause discomfort for your dog, and potentially cause problems down the road. If you want your canine to be comfortable and happy, then keeping their toenails at a reasonable length is a necessity.
From a top view, it is virtually impossible to see the quick. However, it can help to look at the bottom of your dog's black nails; there may be a groove on the underside that separates the hard nail from the soft cuticle. You will want to avoid trimming into the soft cuticle because it contains your dog's nail quick.
Just like human nails, dogs do not have any feeling in the nail itself, but the quick contains a nerve that transmits sensations back to the brain. When trimming the nail, it is important to stay far enough from the quick to avoid causing pain or drawing blood.
Limping can be a sign of nailbed damage, muscle or tendon issues, or even arthritis.
A dog's nail consists of the living pink quick and the hard outer material called the shell. The quick supplies blood to the nail and runs through the core of it. Nerves in the quick cause bleeding and discomfort when cut.
A dog's nails can be trimmed in two ways: using pet-friendly nail clippers or a grinder. The first is the most common, but there are Dremel-type tools made especially for dogs that make grinding nails down much safer. Grinding can be useful for very large breeds with very thick nails that are harder to clip.
Cutting your dog's nails is a little different depending on whether your dog's nails are white or black. White nails are easier because you can see the pink inside (the quick). Black is harder since you can't locate exactly where the quick is. Remember you do NOT want to cut the vein as that can result in bleeding.
It is therefore important to keep your dog's claws well trimmed at the correct length. If they get too long it can put pain and pressure on the toes and paws, which will ultimately put strain on the legs. Long claws are also prone to splitting and infection.
Many dogs have naturally black nails, but if you see a normally white dog nail turning black, then there is usually a cause for concern. It's worth paying attention to your dog's nail color since changes in color can indicate fungal infections, allergies, and even an autoimmune disease.
Standard Hold
In this method, you need to wrap your arm around the dog's neck while the other hand around the tummy. Ensure your arms are wrapped lightly while your hand holds the paw. Hold your dog under your armpits to maintain the same position.
Extremely active dogs may wear down their nails—including their dewclaws—to the point where trims are not necessary. But for most pets, regular nail trims are needed to keep their nails at a healthy length—especially for dewclaws, which aren't in contact with the ground as frequently as the other nails.
Ways to Identify the Quick
Using a small flashlight or your phone light, extend your pup's nails directly over the light. Hold the nail between your thumb and pointer finger where the nail curves. Look for a dark mass inside the nail. If your pet's nails are thin enough, you'll see the quick as a shadowed area.
Some dogs will naturally wear down their nails from frequent walks on concrete sidewalks, but if your dog primarily gets their exercise outside, their nails may need to be trimmed as much as once a week.
So, wild dogs will scratch and dig the ground before going to bed to ensure they chose a spot without dangerous critters nearby. Another reason might just be territorial. So, dogs that share their homes with other pets might do this to mark their beds.
Dogs need their nails clipped on a regular basis, approximately every 3-4 weeks; however, it is common for owners to wait too long in between trimmings which can lead to a number of health issues for the animal. For cats, a routine claw trimming every 10-14 days will keep your pet healthy.
Can dogs scratch laminate floors? By its very nature and construction, laminate flooring products are durable and able to withstand scratches from even the biggest dogs. Sometimes scratches happen, however, so if and when they do happen you'll want to use a laminate floor repair kit.
Over time, however, wood chips can break down. They also can stick in a dog's fur or cause splinters in its paws. Worse, some wood chips, such as cocoa mulch, can be toxic if eaten, Lambton cautions.