Everyone loves a little grooming, even your pets. Maintaining your pet’s nails/claws is a necessary part of grooming and it is essential to your pet’s comfort, your cuddles, and the preservation of your furniture!
Scratching and clawing are natural behavioural traits of pets. Regular nail trimming is the best way to secure their safety and yours.
Nail Trimming fundamentals
Determining how often you trim your pet’s nails can be tricky because the frequency is dependent on the species, size, and age of your pet, among other things. The general guide is:
- Puppies – once each week
- Dogs – “as often as it takes to prevent their nails from touching the ground when they’re standing” (source)
- Cats – it varies; weekly paw checks are recommended
Factors such as diet, the surface your pet spends the most time on, as well as how much time they spend on the ground, has a direct impact on how frequently their nails/claws grow.
Weekly assessments of your pet’s claws/nails are encouraged to determine the best time for trimming.
Nail Trimming Process
We encourage families to obtain professional nail trimming to ensure your pet’s safety and to prevent mishaps or complications that can result in a long-term injury. However, in between vet visits we recommend the following tips during weekly assessments and touch ups:
- Ensure your pet is comfortable with having his feet touched. Approach his paws with sensitivity and be playful. Sometimes massaging his feet can help your pet to relax in anticipation of trimming or assessments
- Inspect your pet’s feet (paws, etc.) to ensure there is no dirt or debris between the toes/paws
- Assess the fur around the toes to ensure its groomed to prevent irritation or discomfort
- Slowly move your hands around your pet’s claws or toes to assess the sharpness
- Using professional trimmers, slowly introduce the clippers and gently trim one toe at a time, by looking for the part where the nails begin to curve
- If you make a mistake or accidentally chip the claw, use a bit of styptic powder to inhibit any bleeding
- Once you’ve finished the trim, use an emery board to smooth the clipped toes and inspect the fur and around the toes once more to relief any debris or dirt that may have lagged behind.
If you are unsure about nail trimming, speak with your vet about any concerns that may complicate your pet’s grooming.
