uHOW TO
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Trimming your pet's nails is a necessary part of
their health and grooming routine. Sometimes
though, for both owner and pet, it can be
daunting and become a traumatic experience.
The following information and tips explain how
to clip your pet's nails, hopefully with little to
no stress for you and your pet.
1. Before you clip your pet's nails for the first
time start by introducing the clippers to them for
a few days prior. Pick up their feet and massage
them and rub the toes, all while praising them.
Then introduce the nail clippers by touching
their feet and nails with them, placing them
over the nail but not clipping. If they behave
give them a treat after each new step to help
reinforce it as a positive experience. When your
pet is used to this you can then move on to
cutting the nails. Start slowly by just doing a
few nails or one paw at a time.
2. Start by holding their paw and gently squeeze
to get the nail to extend.
3. Identify the 'quick', this is the vein that runs
from the base of the nail. It will look like a pink
line through the nail. It can be hard to identify
in black nails so check with your vet if unsure.
You do not want to cut this as it will bleed.
4. Wait until the animal is still and then cut the
tip of the nail off, without cutting the quick.
You are better off to take only a little at first as
you can always take more if needed.
5. Repeat the process on all nails.
6. Make the nail clipping experience a calm and
rewarding one for your pet. Give them lots of
praise, pats and treats for being well behaved.
Top Tip - have a small bowl of flour handy and
if your pet's nail bleeds dip it in the flour and it
will help slow the bleeding and help the blood
to clot quickly.
If you find the experience of clipping your pet's
nails is too hard or stressful most vet clinics and
grooming salons will be able to clip your pet's
nails.
[clipping
your pet's
nails ]
