Nail Care: Trim Your Dog's Nails Safely, Gently and with Confidence

Nail Care: Short Nails for Relaxed Walking

If your dog's nails don't wear down enough while walking, they grow too long. They then click on the floor, your dog places its paws differently and nails can split. With nail scissors, clippers or a nail grinder, you can shorten them yourself at home, calmly and at your own pace. Wahl and Kerbl offer tools for small and large dogs, including cordless battery models.

The Right Tool for Your Dog

For small dogs and puppies, handy nail scissors with short blades work well. Large dogs with thick nails need more force, and sturdy nail clippers help here. A nail clipper with a cutting guard gives beginners extra confidence. If you prefer to work in small steps, choose a cordless nail grinder that files the nail down bit by bit. Afterwards, smooth any sharp edges with a nail file.

How to Trim Correctly

Every nail contains a blood vessel and nerve, known as the quick, which must never be cut. In light nails you can see it as a pink area, but in dark nails sadly not. So always trim just a few millimetres at a time and check the cut surface. As soon as a dark, moist dot appears in the middle, stop. Don't forget the dewclaw on the inside of the front paw, as it never touches the ground.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if my dog's nails are too long?
If you hear clicking when your dog walks on tiles or wooden floors, the nails are usually too long. When standing, they should barely touch the ground. For many dogs that point comes every three to six weeks.

What should I do if a nail bleeds?
Stay calm and press a clean cloth or some gauze firmly onto the nail for a few minutes, and the bleeding usually stops. Let your dog rest for a while afterwards. If it keeps bleeding or your dog starts limping, see your vet.

My dog hates having its nails trimmed. What helps?
Get it used to the process in small steps: first touch the paws, then show the clippers, then trim a single nail, always with a reward. Some dogs cope better with a quiet nail grinder than with clippers. It's perfectly fine to spread the trimming over several days.