How to Trim Nails on a Dog or Cat

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In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ, VETgirl’s Manager of Content Development and Michaela Witcher, MS, CVT review how to trim nails on a dog or cat. Performing a nail trim is an important and common technique that must be mastered by CSR, vet assistants, triage, veterinary technicians, and veterinarians, as it is often requested by pet owners several times a day! This is an important part of routine husbandry in veterinary medicine.

Supplies

When doing a nail trim, it is best to always gather your supplies before beginning. You will need trimmers, a way to stop bleeding if you cut the quick of the nail, restraint devices that might be needed, including a muzzle or a towel for cats, and treats if you are using them for distraction.

Nail trim on a dog

There are several types of nail clippers/trimmers that can be used on dogs depending on the size of the dog and their nails:

  • Clippers for small dogs and large dogs vary in size, but they look similar and work in the same way.
  • Resco trimmers are a guillotine-style nail trimmer. These are to be used with extreme caution on animals with thick nails, and we must always be aware that they can rip an animal’s nail off if not used correctly.  They are not recommended for nail trim beginners or with animals that are not an easy nail trim.

Start with as little restraint as you can get away with and progress if you need to, based on the dog and their behavior. Many dogs will respond well to nail trimming if you give them treats to eat while you trim the nails. Treats that take longer to eat work best – things like peanut butter or cheese. Make sure you check with the owner before offering treats to make sure the dog is not on a special diet or does not have allergies. Also, check any human food for ingredients that would be dangerous for dogs, for example, xylitol in peanut butter.

Try to keep them in a comfortable position. For most dogs that will be standing with their feet on the floor/table. But this can be done with them sitting or lying sternal. A non-slip surface will also make them more comfortable and will be easier for you. However, more reactive dogs may need to be in lateral recumbency. Depending on the dog and how nervous they are, it may be worth having the vet talk to the owners about giving some sedation at home prior to the visit. It is not worth stressing the dog or putting the veterinary team in danger if it can be avoided.

Trim the tip of the nail, avoiding the quick, which is where the nerve and blood supply are. Some dogs will have clear nails, making it easier; others will have dark nails, which will make determining where that quick is difficult. If in doubt, take a little off the nail at a time. You can always go back and take more. But once you have cut into the nail’s quick, the dog will be more fearful, and you now have bleeding to stop. Remember, the longer the nail, the longer the quick.

Look at the nail after each trim; if you get a dry greyish/white-colored material, you can take a little more. Once you get near the quick, you will see a small circle, and the nail will start to seem like a softer tissue –  that is where you need to stop. Lastly, don’t forget the dew claw on both the front and rear paws, if they have one.

A Dremel can be also be used to file the nails down, but the sound can agitate a fearful dog. When working with an animal you don’t know in a veterinary practice, it is best not to use something noisy if you don’t know how they will react.

There are several different products that can be used to stop the bleeding, including silver nitrate sticks or styptic powders if the quick is cut and the dog’s nail bleeds. These should be gathered with the nail trimmers and supplies before the nail trim begins, just in case they are needed. Keep in mind that silver nitrate sticks may sting, and they will STAIN the floors and counters.

Nail trim on a cat:

There are several types of nail clippers that can be used on cats:

  • Small trimmers made for cats
  • Small dog trimmers
  • Human nail clippers

Because cats have retractable claws, it is first necessary to learn how to extend them. This can easily be done with gentle pressure on the cat’s paw pads. Cats don’t like to be held down and may fight the restraint more than they do the actual procedure.  So, start with as little restraint as you can get away with and progress if you need to based on the cat and their behavior. Just like dogs, treats may be a good distraction for cats during nail trims. Start by extending the nail with gentle pressure on the paw pads. Trim the clear, sharp tip, avoiding the quick. When in doubt, take a little at a time. You can always go back and take more. But just like dogs, once you have quicked the nail, they are going to be more fearful and bleed. Lastly, like with dogs, a Dremel can be used. But cats are even more sensitive than dogs to noises, and this can make an anxious cat even more fearful.

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