Do you trim your dogs nails or want to at least attempt it? Here are some helpful hints to doing it the right way... Most pets are uncomfortable when paws are handled. As you play, cuddle and just spend time together get in the habit of gently handling each paw while splaying the toes apart and encouraging the pets tolerance with a hearty good dog or encouraging a cat with a special hug or extra stroking. When the clipping begins this will be the starting point to ready the paw and toes for actual snipping. The toenail is made up of the nail itself and the quick, the pink (when it visible} part of the toenail that provides the blood supply to the nail. Avoid cutting the quick as it bleeds freely and is quite sensitive and the pet will remember that experience with great suspicion. You may not be able to do all nails at once, but can do one paw at a time and allow time to rest between or have a play break. 1. Hold the paw gently in the splay position, foot steady. 2. Snip off a small bit at the end of each toenail. Using either the guillotine or scissor-type clippers, place a tiny piece of the nail tip in the nail clipper and snip. If the nail feels spongy when you are trying to cut it, stop immediately - you are cutting the quick. 3. Stop any bleeding immediately. If you cut the quick youll have an unhappy pet and a bloody mess. Keep on hand either a nail cauterizer - a tool that stops bleeding by applying heat - or a styptic powder that can be applied with a cotton swab. Either can be found at pet supply stores or some stores with pet departments. It may be well to have a damp washcloth at hand ready to clean up the styptic powder or blood as necessary.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 15:20:20 +0000
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