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5 Top Considerations When Clipping Your Dogs Nails

5 Top Considerations When Clipping Your Dog’s Nails

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Clipping your dog’s nails can be a stressful task if you are nervous about cutting them yourself. The first time clipping nails, most pet owners are afraid of injuring their pet. It is important to keep your pet’s nails short and manageable to maintain healthy paws and nail development. Ask your Veterinarian or pet groomer for the right tools to buy for the size of your dog. Here are some pointers to consider before you clip your pet’s nails for the first time.

Why is it important to keep your pet’s nails well groomed?

* To minimize the risk of nail bed infections, auto-immune disorders, and to monitor any abnormalities around the nail beds and paws.

* Maintain smooth, rounded ends; minimizing scratches on people’s skin and furniture damage.

* Shorter nails allow for better traction on pavement and flooring.

* Longer, un-kept nails can curl up and dig into the soft flesh of the pads.

* Un-kept, longer nails absorb friction and impact from the ground sending them back towards the nail beds causing sensitivity or pain.

When should you have your dog’s nails trimmed?

* Dog’s nails should be kept short enough to keep them from touching the ground while standing.Top 5 Considerations When Clipping Your Dogs Nails

* When you hear clicking of the nails on flooring.

* When nails become torn, split, or sharp.

* Check every week to see how long your pet’s nails are. Depending on the amount and type of exercise your pet gets will determine how quickly they need trimming.

* Trimming nails after bathing is a good time since the nails will be softer. Remember to inspect the dew claws since they aren’t worn down by exposure to the ground.

How do you trim your pet’s nails to prevent bleeding?

* It is important to clip more often and take off less nail each time to allow for the blood supply and nerves to shrink back away from the nail ends.

* Gently put pressure on the paw close to the nail bed to separate the nail from the others to see clearly where you are clipping.

* Look for the quick, (the pink area within the nail that has the nerves and blood vessels), never cut too close to this area. Cut on a 45 degree angle.

* Hold the paw near the nail gently but firmly, if you feel your pet pull away don’t clip, wait till your pet is still and comfortable.

* If you do accidentally draw blood apply a blood-clotting accelerant such as Kwik-Stop or ClotIt to slow down the bleeding. Always consult a Veterinarian if bleeding doesn’t stop quickly.

What are the tools you’ll need to clip your dog’s nails?

* You may want to consider using a dremel or nail grinder instead of clippers, or a combination of both tools.

* Buy a grinder that is quiet and has variable speeds. (Trim excess fur from around dog’s paws so it doesn’t get caught in any moving pieces).

* Clippers should be concave at the cutting edge, sharp, clean, and the right size for your dog.

* Scissor and plier-style cutters are easier to use than guillotine trimmers so experiment to find the right trimmer you are comfortable using.

* Emery boards to file sharp edges, if you don’t have a dremel.

* If your dog nips at you or gets upset, you may need a muzzle for protection.

* Lots of dog treats!!

How to reassure your pet during nailing clipping?

* Start clipping your pet’s nails when they are young every week or two, taking off small amounts of nail slowly and carefully. Make sure your dog is used to having his/her paws and nails touched.Top 5 Considerations When Clipping Your Dogs Nails

* Have treats ready for when your dog starts to get anxious. Take time to give lots of praise and petting. Stop for short periods if your dog is resisting the treatment.

* A spoonful of peanut butter on a plate will distract a puppy long enough to trim some nails if everything else fails! (Make sure peanut butter DOES NOT contain Xylitol).

If you have any reservations about how to go about clipping your dog’s nails, or are too nervous to attempt this yourself, contact Pet City Canada to book an appointment with our knowledgeable dog groomers.  Our qualified staff will groom your dog and clip their nails professionally and safely.

Helpful Advice to Keep Your Canine Companion Safe During Tick Season

Helpful Advice to Keep Your Canine Companion Safe During Tick Season

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Did you know that Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in many parts of Canada? These illnesses are not only a concern for your canine companion but for you as well! Being aware of the signs and symptoms of tick exposure is your first line of preparedness. As the weather warms up, so does the tick population. Ticks can be found in woodlands, urban parks, or your own backyard. Monitor your pet’s skin and fur after every outdoor activity to keep them tick free and healthy. Regular grooming, with a professional, experienced groomer, can help in detecting ticks and other ailments as well.

Ticks are the size of a small poppy seed during the nymph stage; pretty hard to detect with an unsuspecting eye! They are usually brown or black in colour and have 8 legs. Ticks are unable to jump or fly so they wait patiently for a host to pass through low branches or long grass, then they attach themselves quickly to man or beast. Once attached, they feast on the blood of their victims, often leaving behind illness. If left untreated, symptoms can become debilitating and chronic. Don’t be fooled – ticks also can reproduce in your home. They hide in carpets, curtain hems, cracks, and behind radiators.

Tick Prevention:

  • Keep tall grass, bushes, and shrubs in your yard trimmed.
  • Rake up leaves and garden debris regularly.
  • Mow lawn often to keep it short.
  • Use an approved garden insecticide under bushes and shrubs, under porches, and along fence lines, (follow instructions listed on container).
  • Use Veterinarian approved products and shampoos for tick removal.
  • Wash animal bedding and mats often.

Tick Warning Signs and Symptoms:

  • Run your hand slowly through your pet’s fur feeling for any slight bumps or unexplained scabs, (pay close attention to the head, neck, ears, eyes, and paws in between the toes).
  • Monitor your dog’s behaviour for signs of scratching, skin irritation, or infection.
  • Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are fever, joint pain, decreased appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. When the disease has progressed, it brings possible kidney disease and/or tick paralysis.
  • Some communities encourage you to submit the tick to your local health authority for testing. Check with your municipality to find out local regulations.

How to Safely Remove a Tick:

  • Ticks must be removed as soon as they are found!
  • Keep disposable gloves specifically for removing ticks.
  • Use tweezers to grasp the tick by its head as close to the skin as possible.
  • Pull the tick straight out, don’t twist! Make sure you have removed the whole tick, (keep it in a plastic bag with isopropyl alcohol in case your dog shows signs of illness later)
  • The tick will be full of blood if it’s bloated. Don’t push or squeeze the body as this may force contaminated blood back into your pet.
  • Thoroughly wash the bite area with soap and warm water.
  • Disinfect tweezers with isopropyl alcohol after use.

When to Consult a Veterinarian:

  • Always consult your Veterinarian if you suspect something is wrong with your pet.
  • Ask about vaccines that are safe in protecting your dog against Lyme disease.
  • When you want to start using flea and tick collars, medications, tick-repelling chemicals, or any other products for tick prevention.
  • If you find a tick on your pet consult your Veterinarian who may want to do a blood test to rule out any questionable diseases.

There are up to 15 different tick born diseases associated with ticks. Please consult your Veterinarian for prevention and treatment products recommended for your area. Remember that you can’t contract any tick illnesses directly from your pet.

The best ongoing maintenance program for your dog is having regular assessments and treatments done by a reputable dog grooming company.  The highly skilled Pet Groomers at Pet City Canada will monitor your pet’s skin and coat for any parasites or abnormalities. Call today to book your full-service grooming. You can also read more about how to choose a pet groomer on our blog 3 Important Considerations When Choosing a Pet Groomer.