Cut nails like a champ!

A relatively common reason for a visit to the vet is claw damage/split claws in dogs. The most frequent cause of split claws in dogs is long claws. If the claw is too long and if, for example, the dog steps on a large stone, the claw can split due to the hard surface. The dog's claws can also get stuck in e.g. in grooves on grates, or in drains. Sometimes only a small part of the claw is damaged, but other times the entire claw is torn off, including the pulp (the innermost part of the claw where the nerve is, among other things), and this is associated with a lot of pain. If the dog does not wear its nails sufficiently, regular claw trimming is a necessity for many dogs. We would therefore like to make a blog post about trimming the claws of your dog or cat to help you on your way.

As a starting point, the vast majority of cats do not need their claws clipped. This is due to the fact that many cats that can get outside take care of "cutting" their claws themselves. When you see your cat going crazy on the scratching board or on the tree out in the garden, it is because they are hissing their claws. The hissing ensures that the cat's claws are sharp, but it also helps to wear down the claws and remove loose old claw covers. But if you have an indoor cat, you should be aware that it may not have the same opportunities to wear its claws. It may therefore be necessary for the indoor cat to have its claws clipped. However, this should only be done if the claws cause problems for the cat.

Dogs and cats' nails are stronger than ours. The dog uses them to dig, to hold on to the substrate and to pull along in a possible fight. The cat uses its claws for defense, but also to grab hold if they want to climb out of trees or are about to fall down. In addition, cats use their claws to hold on to prey. The claws are made up of an outer horn layer, which can be black or transparent, and inside the horn layer lies the pulp. Pulp is also called the "nerve" or "blood vessel" in normal speech. On light nails, the pulp can be seen as the pink ray inside the claw. Pulp consists of several parts, i.a. the nerve that triggers pain if you cut too far in, and a blood vessel that gives the pink color in the light nails. Finally, at the base of the nail there is a small bone called the claw bone.

Why should the claws be clipped?

If the dog does not wear its nails sufficiently, the claws will be able to grow around and into the foot pad. Long nails are also uncomfortable for your dog and can damage the bones in the paw. In some cases, too long claws can mean that the dog cannot walk normally, or walks with a crooked paw position. In addition, there is a constant risk of dogs splitting a nail or getting stuck with a claw that is too long and tearing it off, which is a very painful process. Therefore, you must regularly check and possibly cut your dog's nails.

Again, it should be mentioned that it is generally not necessary to cut the cat's nails. If you are bothered by the cat's nails because they are too sharp or pointed then an electric file could help.

When

Again, it must be said that not all dogs and cats need to have their nails trimmed. Dogs and cats must have their nails clipped as needed. Some need a haircut every two weeks, while others need it every two months. As a rule of thumb, it is said that the claws must be cut when a dog stands up on all fours and the claws touch the ground. If your dog's or cat's nails make "clicking" sounds when they walk on the floor, it may also be time to check the nails. It is very different from dog to dog and from cat to cat, how the claws are worn, so make it a good routine to keep an eye on their length and shape. Then you can also keep an eye on whether some claws are frayed or split. Dogs have game and wolf claws which often need to be cut more often than the other claws, as they do not wear down naturally. Game and wolf claws are the claws that sit on the inside of the front or hind legs. Make it a habit to cut them regularly approx. every 3-4 weeks. Be aware that wild claws can grow in a ring and bother the dog greatly. In addition, puppies must have their claws trimmed more frequently than an adult dog.

If the claws have become too long, they should be cut at short intervals around. In this way, the nerve and blood path inside the claw is made to retract a little, and thereby the claw can be slowly shortened to a suitable length.

It is a good idea to get the dog used to having its nails clipped from the time it is a puppy, this can prevent many problems later on. It can also be a good idea to cut one paw at a time, then the nail clipping will be less stressful for both dog and owner. You then have to accept that it may take a few days before all four paws are clipped.

What do you need to cut the nails?

It is best to use a pair of good claw scissors if you want to cut. You can buy good claw scissors from your vet or in a pet store. You need the right size for your dog's claws. A safer alternative is an electric file. The electric file only removes a little bit at a time and you don't risk splitting the nail. It is important to use equipment made for dog/cat claws, as ordinary scissors or a nail clipper squeeze the nail and can hurt. However, with small puppies with soft claws and cats, you can use a regular 3-in-1 nail clipper, but we recommend using nail clippers made for dogs and cats.

How much to cut off the claw?

The claws of dogs must be cut so that they do not touch the ground when the dog stands up. However, it is important that you never cut into the pink part that you can see in light nails, in both dogs and cats. It is relatively easy to cut the nails of puppies, young dogs and cats, as the part of the nail that needs to be cut is easy to spot, as it appears as a well-marked small tip. If you only trim the outer, pointed part of the nail, nothing happens. In adult dogs, however, the tip disappears. This means that you do not have the tip of the nail as a guideline for how much nail you can remove in the adult dog. If the dog or cat has light nails, cut 2-3 mm from the pink part. A cat's claw is cut with a clipper, but with larger dogs, it is often best to take small pieces of the claw, and keep the claw a little further in the center and thus reduce the risk of cutting too far. If the capsule is pigmented, pay extra attention and cut small pieces at a time. When you are close to the nerve, you can typically see a small dark dot on the freshly cut piece. This indicates that the nerve is close and that you should not cut any more. In puppies and young dogs, the nail often ends in a small "tip". This means that if you only cut off the very tip, you are sure not to cut too far.

Make it a good experience

The sooner you start teaching puppies or kittens how to trim their nails, the easier it will be in the future. As natural as it is to teach the dog to come, sit and lie down, and the cat to go to the litter box, it should be teaching them to accept touching paws, having their nails cut, being looked at in the mouth, having their teeth brushed, ears cleaned, etc. A good idea is to trim the nails of puppies and kittens when they are tired. In addition, have treats ready, because the more positively they can associate nail clipping with, the better. Possibly two people about it, so that one cuts nails, another rewards with treats. If your puppy or kitten is impatient, just clip a few nails or the nails on a paw, so that the experience will be short but good. Touch paws or clip for 5-10 min. a day several times a week until they trust you and are comfortable with the situation. Feel free to start with a hind leg on dogs. Many dogs and are less sensitive to touch on their hind legs, and this can give you both the success you need. Support the entire paw of the animal and hold firmly without tightening too much. In the case of cats, you have to give a light pressure on the paw so that the nails come out. Clip a small piece of the nails while you or the helper speaks encouragingly. Remember not to talk to those who feel sorry for what is happening.

Is your friend afraid of having the nails clipped?

Many dogs and cats are afraid of having their claws clipped. This may be because they have had a bad experience where the haircut was too long, or they may be insecure about it because they were not used to it from a young age. It is unfortunate to have ended up in a situation where your animal is so afraid of the nail clippers that it runs away when it sees it. It is both very stressful and uncomfortable for your animal, but also for you. What is worse is that the situation could have been avoided.

So how do we get out of this situation? Animals of all ages, whether scared or not, can learn to have their nails clipped, it's just a matter of patience. The task is to get the dog or cat to associate nail clipping with something pleasant.

Desensitization technique

The first thing your dog or cat needs to learn is that you touch its paws. Start with one leg at a time. Lightly touch and say "good" and give a treat. When you can touch the paw for a longer time, remember to praise while touching the paw and then give the treat. Now you very gradually increase the time you touch the paw, and eventually you can rest your hand on the paw or hold the paw while giving lots of delicious treats. Then you take paw number two, three and four in the same gradual way. If the dog or cat gets scared, you take a step back in the training and continue from here. At the same time, you should teach your dog or cat to associate the nail scissors with something nice. At first, you simply leave the scissors next to the food bowl when feeding. After this, you begin to show the scissors in your hand and immediately afterwards give a delicious treat. Remove the scissors while the dog or cat is eating the treat and then present it to the scissors again, followed by a treat. Eventually, you let the scissors touch the paws while you praise. Once your dog or cat is comfortable and accepts this, you can cut a single nail. Always remember to praise and reward continuously. If your dog or cat is very afraid of the sound of the nail clippers, take a match and hold it together with the paw in your hand. Cut a piece of the match instead of the nail and reward the dog or cat massively.

In order for the desensitization to work, try to work with these things daily - and preferably several times a day, but for a short time at a time - especially at the beginning. Perhaps it is an advantage to be two people for parts of the training so that the treats can come quickly. Train this when your dog or cat is already well tired. It is important that you never restrain the cat or dog too tightly or push them too much.

Many owners find it difficult to trim their animal's nails. If you are uneasy about clipping your dog's or cat's nails, most vets will be happy to show you the best way to do it. So finally contact your vet and ask if they will help you learn a proper claw clipping technique.

If it bleeds

Should you end up cutting too far, it may be a good idea to have some bleeding-stopping for nails in the home. The bleeding is stopped by dabbing a little "Klip-stop" or "Blood-stop" on the nail. It immediately stops the bleeding. If necessary, hold a piece of cotton wool on the bleeding nail for up to 5-6 minutes. Be careful not to wipe the congealed blood off the nail afterwards so that it bleeds again.

Remember, it is better to cut small pieces at a time than to cut into the "nerve"

When should the vet be consulted?

Cracked claws rarely require emergency help, but it can feel urgent, as your friend is often very limp and in pain. If there is a hole into the pulp, it is important to keep an eye on the paw, as a hole into the blood vessel is a direct route to infection. If you see signs of infection, contact your vet or if you are in doubt, your vet will certainly be ready to help.

Remember, with patience and the right tools, clock trimming can be a good experience for both you and your friend

-MyPetPassion