Dog Community

When to clip nails

Posted : 5/22/2006 8:47:57 PM

I am just curious as to how often nails should be clipped on dogs. I have just started clipping my dogs nails because its just so much easier. It seems though that my little terrier mix has nails that grow so fast.

So I am just wondering how often is normal.

Thanks.

dasher

Posted : 5/22/2006 8:50:49 PM

I try to do my guys every 10 days to 2 weeks tops. That way they stay a nice length. If I wait longer they get too long for my liking.

heather muroski

Posted : 5/22/2006 11:06:11 PM

usually once a month is sufficient for most dogs. Look at the bottom of your dog's nails to see the kwik, you dont want to clip that so i would leave about one milimeter between where you cut the nails and where the kwik begins.

hope that helps

jennie_c_d

Posted : 5/23/2006 1:13:31 AM

I dremel or trim nails 2-3 times a week. I don't like hearing clickity click on the floors.

georgie4682

Posted : 5/23/2006 5:53:31 AM

Thanks everyone! My problem is that I now have this little terrier mix, who was previously owned by my fiance's sister, and she allowed her nails to get so long that they were curling. Yesterday, I worked on them for a while, but I didn't want to make her bleed so I didn't cut them too short. I heard that the kwik grows out longer if the nails are allowed to grow. Is this true? She has dark nails so I can't see the kwik and I'm afraid to hurt her, but I know that if they are cut to a reasonable length she will be much more comfortable.

Thanks again!

luv4gsds

Posted : 5/23/2006 6:09:40 AM

If the nails are long like that you want to cut them little at a time to get them back to normal. I cut my dogs nails twice a month.
This site might help you about cutting your dog nails.
[linkhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2453_trim-dogs-nails.html]http://www.ehow.com/how_2453_trim-dogs-nails.html[/link]

griffinej5

Posted : 5/23/2006 7:55:37 AM

I do Millie's nails on the odd occassion that she actually allows me to do them, which is not often. I do Max's when I can get someone to help me out and feed him while I do it, because he will otherwise try to bite the dremel (yes, I did spend time conditioning the dremel, I just can't stop him from being Mr.Mouthy)

Firestorm

Posted : 5/23/2006 8:48:09 AM

I trim about once every two weeks and usually after I bathe him!

Terri

Posted : 5/23/2006 9:08:09 AM

I'm too nervous to cut their nails, because they're black and I can't see the quick. I usually take them to the groomer every other month. They usually don't need it more than that, since we take long walks every day. That's what the groomer says anyway.

probe1957

Posted : 5/23/2006 9:18:52 AM

I dremel Odie's about every week or so. I like to keep them short so he doesn't click when he walks. He isn't crazy about the process either, so doing them more regular takes less time.

tashakota

Posted : 5/23/2006 11:30:42 AM

I try to trim every week because I want them to get shorter, but I'm not convinced it works. It works on humans! but there's some pain involved... okay okay, yes I'm a nail biter... dang it. But back to dogs, I haven't noticed them shortening any. And if you can slice off a little at a time, I mean A LITTLE then you should be able to see when you're getting close...

Jennifer

Posted : 5/23/2006 5:33:46 PM

If you are having problems seeing the quick you can use a flashlight behind the nail and that will illuminate it. Black nails can be opaque, however I've found that sometimes the black pigment is not strong enough to block it completely and you at least have some sort of guide.

My rule of thumb is if they are clicking, they need to be trimmed and I do both trim and dremmel about every 3 weeks or so.

Minty_Pups

Posted : 5/23/2006 7:44:51 PM

I cut my dogs' nails every week. They used to be devils at nail cutting time, but with some work they've gotten to the point of just holding out their paws and letting me take all the time in the world to cut their nails.

My gsd has dark nails too. But I've noticed that if you look at the bottom of the nail. you can see a lighter colored part that's the quick. If the nail has grown so long that it's curled under, you might want to bring the dog to a groomer for the first time, then just keep trimming it every week to keep the nails in check.

Sokoto Dirk

Posted : 5/23/2006 7:51:45 PM

My dog's vet says that we don't really need to clip the nails - just take her out for walks on paved road or blacktop, and that does the trick.

...They get kinda black, though. ^^"

georgie4682

Posted : 5/23/2006 8:12:07 PM

Thanks so much everyone! I think we'll be ok...hopefully I can get her nails back to normal. I don't have this preoblem with my big dogs so hopefully after she gets used to walking with us her nails will file themselves down. [

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