Sunday, July 6, 2014

Dog Nail Clipping An Important Part Of Pet Grooming

By Rosella Campbell


Regular grooming helps keep your dog healthy and in top condition. Along with dental care, the occasional bath, coat trimming and brushing, dog nail clipping is an important part of pet grooming. The many benefits provided include a longer life for your pet and a sense of well-being. While many top dog groomers are available in Marlton, NJ, owners who are willing to nail clip their own dogs should understand the basics and apply the correct technique.

Claws that have been left uncut often grow curled. While this might not always be a problem, some dogs will find it too uncomfortable to walk as a result, due to the added pressure upon the toes, and if they end up piercing into the paw pad, your dog could suffer from pain and even infection. Another side effect is that the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves, called the quick, will grow, making the nail difficult to clip properly.

There are two basic types of nail trimmers; the standard scissors type, and the guillotine type, which is the easier of the two to use. The guillotine trimmer has a stationary ring where the nail is placed and cut as the blade moves up. The scissors trimmer is best used to shorten curved nails. Place it at right angle to the nail and squeeze the handles to cut.

Claws that are lighter in color are easier to clip than darker colored ones, because the quick is readily visible. The claw's is determined by the nearby hair and skin color. The nail should be cut no more than 2 mm away from the quick.

It is recommended to make several small cuts if the quick is difficult to see, starting from the tip of the claw. Stop cutting when a gray to pink oval begins to appear on the cut surface of the nail. Generally, the claws on the front feet need to be trimmed more often than the ones on the rear feet as they are longer. The final step is to file the nail, smoothing the cut surface. Always ensure you use a sharp trimmer for a cleaner cut.

When cutting, always have the blade pointing towards you, to avoid making any contact with the quick. If the quick is injured, it will cause pain and start to bleed. Left alone, the bleeding will stop after a few minutes even without treatment.

Dew claws can get quite long and dig into the toe pad. They are non functional claws that can be found on the inner area of the paw, attached by loose skin. These claws can be trimmed using a guillotine style clipper as they are attached flexibly and so are easily moved to the desired position. Also trim any dew claws found on the inner surface of the paw.

Clipping your dog's claws is something you can successfully do yourself, with a little time and patience, and the right equipment. Alternatively, there are many good vets or dog groomers in Marlton, NJ who can do it for you. Either way, your dog will be happier because of it and will thank you for it.




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