Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital

Cutting your pet's nails is a preventative measure.

Clipping your pet's nails is a part of its regular care and should be done on a routine basis, as long nails can lead to many problems for cats and dogs. As with humans, the nails of cats and dogs grow continuously and should be trimmed periodically- every few weeks or once a month. For a cat, overly long nails can grow to a point where they will penetrate the pads, leading to pain and possibly an infection or abscess. As well, long nails can easily get stuck in carpeting and then break or tear, resulting in bleeding or severe pain.

For a dog, nails that are not trimmed periodically can result in the vein within the nail becoming longer, making it impossible to cut the claw to a normal length, and may even impede normal movement. Most owners should be able to learn the technique involved in cutting a pet's nails. To do so, a nail trimmer will be needed, and several models are available on the market. Using a good quality nail trimmer is very important. As well a pet owner needs to purchase a cauterizing powder to stop possible bleeding as a result from cutting a nail too short. As shown in the pictures, the nail should be clipped no further than the vein's limit. The blood vessel within the nail can easily be located if your pet has clear nails. However, veins can not be properly seen through black nails- a good rule of thumb is to line the clipper up evenly with the pad of the foot, this will often give you a safe cut. More caution is required if your pet has only black nails. The owner should clip the claw a small amount at a time, usually a pet will wince when you are applying pressure to cut and are getting too close. A small white dot can be seen at the tip of the nail as the clip approaches the vein, which indicates that the nail is at its shortest length.  

Accidentally cutting into the vein will cause bleeding.  This can be stopped using the cauterizing powder (baking powder or soffened bar soap will work if cauterizing powder is not available) and placing a moderate amount of pressure on the nail tip for several seconds.  Nail clipping should start when a pet is very young, allowing it to become accustomed to having its paws manipulated.  Note that the nails of puppies can be clipped every week.  Nail clipping should be a positive experience for your pet, and encouragement through positive words and treats help.  Should a pet owner not feel comfortable  clipping a pets nails, it can be done by a veterinarian or a a grooming center for minimal cost.