Survival instinct The main reason dogs hate getting their nails clipped is because of the pain. It doesn't hurt them if they are clipped correctly but if your dog has been cut too close to their nerve in their nail, even once, he will remember it.
Summon your dog and pick up the clippers in her presence. Act happy when you grab the clippers and give your dog a treat. Repeat this step several times a day for a couple of weeks. Your dog should quickly learn to associate the sight of the clippers with praise and treats.
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.
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 growth pattern of a dog's nails forms a curved shape. If left untrimmed, the claws will eventually curve under the dog's paws and dig into the skin, creating pain when they walk.
Taking your dog for regular walks, including on hard surfaces such as pavements, will help to shorten their claws, but may not be enough to keep them as short as they should be.
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.
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!
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.
Doggijuana is a non-addictive catnip. There are no added ingredients that are harmful for your pet.
Clipping and grinding are equally efficient and safe ways to trim your pup's nails. Clippers are cheaper and less noisy, while dremels are louder and more expensive but more precise and efficient.
The amount of time between nail trims depends on how quickly your dog's nails grow and how quickly they are worn down. The average dog should have his nails clipped every three to four weeks, but it should be done as often as needed to keep the nail from touching the ground when your dog is standing.
Dog Toys and Treats Crafted With Naturally Calming Catnip
Grown in the USA, our catnip plants are safe, pure, and 100% organic. Not all dogs respond to catnip, but many do and it usually takes about 30 minutes to see a reaction. Doggijuana is a non-addictive catnip.
Valerian root (aka valeriana officinalis) is another alternative to traditional catnip. Actinidine can be found in valerian root, as well as silver vine, and its derived essential oil is structurally similar to the chemical found in catnip.
Some veterinarians have recommended using catnip to help with separation anxiety if your cat will be home alone for an extended period of time.
Hold your dog firmly but gently and reassure him, provide a treat or distraction. Start squeezing clippers near the toes to make a clipping sound but do not actually clip the nail. Place the clipper on your dog's nail, but near the end, far away from the quick, and clip the nail.
Trazodone can both sedate a dog and relieve anxiety. This is a good dog sedative for grooming, veterinary visits, thunderstorms/fireworks, and other short-term stressful events. Side effects include low blood pressure, so trazodone may be used cautiously or avoided in patients with certain health conditions.
You should cut your dog's nails vertically, not horizontally - exactly like you would trim a human's nails. If you do happen to cut your dog's quick, they may react suddenly as it can be painful for them. With a cut quick, there will be bleeding and it's best to stop the bleeding as soon as possible.
The cutting blade should be closest to you, not the dog. Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. Nails should be cut from underneath at a 45-degree angle.
Not only does cutting a dog's nails too short cause them pain, but leaving them to grow too long can be even more painful. For instance, long nails can cause a dog to lose traction in their paw, making it easier for them to slip and fall, causing additional pain than that from the nail alone.
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.
It's called anise (or aniseed), also known as “dog nip,” and when given in moderation, it can have a stimulating effect on dogs. Anise, mixed in homemade treats, can be used during training sessions to get dogs psyched and motivated to learn.
Yes! In addition to being safe for dogs, it is also nutritious! Catnip contains a wide variety of important nutrients including: Vitamin C.
Eating a large amount (like the whole bottle!) could cause your dog to have an upset stomach. We recommend only giving them a small amount, about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. The worst thing that can happen is that it will lose its effectiveness if used too much or your pet can become a tad bit too hyper or calm.
A dog's nails should be clipped often enough that they remain short enough to not click on the ground when a dog walks. Long nails that touch the ground may cause discomfort for your dog, and potentially cause problems down the road.