I trim Karma’s claws every week. And while I certainly could trim Shadow’s nails easily enough, I take in to our veterinarian every month for a pedicure. That way, he gets to visit the staff (and sometimes Doctor Clay), get pets and praise, and know that the vet visits are a normal, regular part of his routine.
Cat claws need trims, too.
Why Trim A Pet’s Nails
Most active dogs allowed to run outside naturally wear down the nails to a manageable length. Outside dogs may not need frequent nail trimming. However, dogs that spend most of their time inside–like Shadow–often require monthly or more frequent claw trimming attention. Even cats who hone nails on scratch objects benefit from regular claw clipping sessions. In my experience, the smaller the pet, the more quickly claws grow. Learn why declaw surgery isn’t a good idea, and all about cat scratch training here. By relieving cat stress you also can reduce illegal clawing.
Over-grown dog nails and cat claws can become caught in bedding and carpets and may split or tear. My old lady Seren-Kitty had that happen! She hung her dew-claw on bedding (thank goodness I work at home and immediately found her). She split the nail to the quick! Outside dogs also can split nails. Magical-Dawg tore his dewclaw from rough-housing and chasing in the field.
Neatly trimmed dog claws keep paws healthy.
When Do Nails Need Trimming?
Keeping the toenails trimmed keeps them healthier. It also helps reduce inappropriate digging some dogs are prone to indulge. Dewclaws on the inside of the lower leg need particular attention since they never contact the ground and can grow longer, or even into a circle and grow INTO the flesh.
Dog nails at their longest should just clear the ground when the dog is standing. If you hear him “clicking” over the linoleum like a tap-dancer, he needs a trim. Overgrown nails cause the foot to spread or splay and can even curl and grow back into the dog’s flesh.
Most cat claws won’t “click” when very long. Healthy cat claws at rest will retract into the toes leaving soft-looking paws. But old cats and some kitties suffering metabolic disorders like hyperthyroidism develop thickened claws that don’t easily retract. When Seren-Kitty grew very old into her late teens and early twenties, she couldn’t care for her claws through clawing and nibbling. Her old cat claws became so thick, she couldn’t retract them, and also “clicked” when walking on hard surfaces.
Your groomer or veterinarian can trim a pet’s nails at routine visits. We did this with Bravo, so he got used to visiting our vet staff and enjoyed interacting with his medical team.
How to trim a dog’s nails.
Pet Nail Trimmers, Files, and Pet Persuasion
But it’s easy enough to clip claws yourself. I’ve trimmed Shadow’s claws from the beginning, as well as Karma-Kat’s claws regularly. Choose a convenient and SHARP clipper for the best results.
A variety of commercial nail trimmers are available with scissor-action or guillotine-style to cut the dog’s toenails and cat’s claws at the proper angle without splitting or crushing the nail. For small claws (like cats), human nail clippers also work well to snip off the sharp hook end. Choose the tool that you feel most comfortable with.
I’m a big fan of the Zen Clipper, sized for tiny to jumbo claws. The design helps prevent cutting too close or catching fur during trims. The scissor design makes it easy to handle. Cat version handles little claws, while a larger adjustable Zen Clipper works on small to large dog claws.
Cats smooth off rough edges after trims on scratching posts. But dog nails may need to be filed after trimming. Use an emery board, or a nail file available from a pet supply store to smooth the edges and keep them from getting caught in the carpet.
You can also explore using a nail filing/grinding tool that many professional groomers use. That also requires teaching pets to tolerate the noise and sensation, as well as paw handling required for all pet nail care.
Much easier to trim a Rottweiler’s nails when the dog willingly offers a paw.
Preparing for Clipping Claws
Many pets dislike having their paws handled. So I recommend gently handling paws as soon as a new pet arrives. Partner paw handling with favorite treats to associate toe touches as a positive experience.
With youngsters, trim just the tip of the nails every week. If they don’t need it, simply touch the claw trimmer, and make the clipping noise, so he knows it’s not painful or scary. Create a routine from the beginning as part of grooming care. What he learns to accept as a puppy or kitten predicts tolerance as an adult. This is particularly helpful with large-breed dogs like my Magical-Dawg German Shepherd or Mastiff breeds like Bravo who handle more easily while puppy-size.
Choose a location where you can easily handle your pet. I sit on the floor to trip Shadow’s dog claws. For Karma-Kat, we trim nails on the bathroom vanity, where he gets treats–already a positive association.
All the nails don’t have to be done in the same session. If you’re having difficulty getting the job done, finish the other toes later. Aim for one or two nails at a time, once a week, and you’ll have all four paws finished within a couple of weeks.
Gently press the cat’s paw to express the claw, then snip the end.
How to Trim a Pet’s Claws
It’s helpful to have two pairs of hands during nail trimming, one to steady the paw while you handle the clippers. A wiggling pet makes it more likely you’ll catch the hair in the trimmer (painful!) or “quick” the nails, cut into the living vessels that feed the nail bed, and cause them to bleed. If you do happen to quick a nail, use a styptic pencil or corn starch and direct pressure to stop the bleeding, or rake the claw through a bar of soap.
When the nails are white or clear, the pink quick is visible and makes it easy to avoid the danger zone. However, dog toenails are often dark or opaque and hide the quick. So clip off only the hook-like tip portion that turns down. This is especially important if the nail has overgrown because the quick will grow further down, too. The same goes for cats—simply snip off the needle tip. Tipping the nails will prompt the quick to draw back up, so you can trim a little each week until reaching the proper length.
LickiMats can be smeared with a soft treat to keep pet’s focussed. The red dial on the adjustable Zen Clipper lets you size the clipper opening to your pet’s nail. And the smaller size Zen Clipper (in my hand) works great for cats.
Bribes Are Legal!
I’m a big fan of “LickiMats.” There are several kinds available, and work to distract and reward the dog or cat for tolerating grooming or other hands-on attention. Smear something the pet loves on the licky-mat. Peanut butter works great for Shadow-Pup, and Karma-Kat loves cream cheese or smelly canned food. While the pet licks, you can clip one or two nails, wait a day or two, and repeat.
Practice patience. Don’t hurry. Nails stay in good shape ass long as all the nails get trimmed every two or three weeks.
Always reward your dog or cat for enduring a nail trim. Reserve a special treat he gets only after a successful nail trim, and soon you’ll have your pet begging for a pedicure. So, do you trim your pet’s claws? Do tell!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
My cat has long tails and she even chews them. I’m afraid to cut the nails because I don’t want to cut the nails to far. Is there a special trimmer that might show me where to cut?
Hi Crystal. Yes, most cats chew their nails, and it almost looks like they’re “picking” their teeth! I just updated the post with a couple more illustrations/diagrams to help with your question. Also, the trimmer that I mention, Zen Clipper for cats, has only a small opening. So you slip the tip of the claw in that opening, and only snip off the end of the claw. It gives you a pretty good guide on how much to trim. You also should be able to see the “pink” in the nail and avoid that.
How do you stop a cat fight? And how do you know if the cat fighting turns serious—rather than just kitten play? Shadow-Pup thinks it’s great fun to chase and wrestle with Karma-Kat. We supervise, of course, and interrupt the play should one or the other object.
If you’re looking for help with dog aggression, go here.
There are many kinds of cat aggression, and many are perfectly normal behaviors. Certainly, it’s not fair to you or the cats to allow cats to fight. Learn how to recognize the potential and reasons behind cat aggression and fighting cats, and what you can do.
On Monday September 11, 2023, a tiny speck of a kitten made her presence known with very loud MEWS and a personality way bigger than anyone expected. Hungry, full of fleas, and the expected roundworms (and probably tapes because…fleas), her eyes and ears looked too big for her delicate wedge-shaped face.
Now, I get alerts about “found” kittens all the time, and sadly, can’t take any of them. This baby proved different in so many ways–only some of which I can share. While at the grocery picking up kitten food, my husband called and I explained my next stop at church—Trinity Lutheran—where I hoped to find a forever-home for the baby with a family who tragically lost a beloved kitty. And I told him if that didn’t work out, we likely had a third furry wonder for our home.
My friends at church, not yet ready to welcome a new pet, meant that the kitten came home with me. It seems that the Higher Being with whom all things are possible, made sure she found her way to us. He knew we needed her as much as she needed us.
How to Read Dog Poop: Normal Dog Poop to Dog Poop Problems
Everyone who shares a home (and heart) with a dog at some point must deal with dog poop problems. Learning what’s normal, to yellow colored stool, or learning how serious blood in dog’s stool diarrhea may be helps get your dog help. While it may not be the most appealing topic, learning about your dog’s “creativity” offers important insight into his health.
Not only his food, but also your dog’s environment and emotional state, affects how his body works. Fear, anxiety, and stress can change a dog’s behavior, but also can disrupt digestion and cause enteritis. That in turn affects his poop.
Recognizing healthy elimination helps pet owners alert to abnormal eliminations. That way, when necessary, you can get your dog prompt medical help to diagnose and treat problems before they become worse.
I created an online store to sell my digital and print titles DIRECT TO YOU! In today’s world, with so much up in the air, many authors now make direct book sales available, because we control the price (and can DISCOUNT to you!), and because … well, I have control over Amy Shojai’s books.
Yes, you can still find all of my titles on the various platforms (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple, GooglePlay, Audible, Chirp and more). This way, though, I earn more on each sale while offering you, dear readers, a better deal than other retailers. That means I can write more books, update existing titles, and keep providing you with what you need.
Read on to learn more about Amy Shojai Books Direct!
When your dog meets you at the door, head low with ears slicked back and eyes averted, is that a canine apology? Does your dog look guilty? The behaviors certainly mimic what humans associate with feeling shame or apology.
We know dogs can feel grief, but whether guilty behavior accurately reflects the dog’s true feelings is open to debate. Learn more about what your dog says with these behaviors!
September 19-25 is National Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week, founded by PetFinder.com. The organization encourages shelters and rescues to create special week-long events devoted to giving overlooked pets like those with disabilities a better chance at finding homes.
This struck a chord with me, especially after living with a tri-pawd dog when Bravo lost his leg. He didn’t act disabled, though. Have you ever adopted an other-abled pet or less adoptable pet?
What Is A Less Adoptable Pet
Why less adoptable? They’re the wrong breed or have special needs. Overlooked pets include deaf dogs or deaf cats, blind pets, or those missing a limb. Many folks prefer the ‘perfect’ cute puppy or kitten and don’t want a crippled pet, or just don’t like the color of the dog or cat. Of course, we know black dogs and cats, and those with only one eye, or three legs, still love us with all their furry hearts! Read on…
Know the Puppy Mill Score—Puppy Source Check List There are many places to find your dream puppy, and some are clearly better options than others. Avoid puppy mills at all cost. Of course, your heart can overrule logic if you are smitten by a needy baby, but...
Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off, and Kitty no longer fears the carrier and handles the car ride with almost no signs of fear, anxiety or stress. Kitty purrs and cheek-bonks the veterinary technicians, and barely notices the doctor’s exam through all the petting and tasty treats. But as soon as you get home, Kitty’s former feline friends snub him, or worse. Why do cats fight after vet visits? What’s up with all the cat bashing?
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, so I wanted to share this vital information again. We know pain hurts, but pain in pets and treating pet pain when pets hurt confuses us. They can’t tell us they feel pain, or where it hurts. Not like humans.
Because I get to work at home, there are certain perks I enjoy–such as going barefoot to work. But one afternoon last fall I moved too fast and kicked the whey outta my big toe. This wasn’t just a stubbed toe, either—it lifted and peeled the nail back to the quick, bled everywhere and hurt like the devil! Yes, I said a few choice words as I hobbled down the stairs from my office (trying not to leave a bloody trail) to get bandage material. Ooooooh, that puppy throbbed and made me whimper and howl, let me tell you.
I understand how Magical-Dawg felt several years ago. After a run in the field playing fetch, he started shivering when he came inside. The ninety-degree weather argued that he was not chilled. I checked him head-to-tail, and found nothing wrong. But later in the week, he again started shivering, and even growled at me when I asked him to move—very uncharacteristic.
Finally, after several days and two vet visits, we figured out his problem. He’d torn a dewclaw back to the quick. it hadn’t come off, so the injury remained hidden. Seren-kitty had this happen once, too, when her claw caught on bedding as she leaped from the pillow. She hid. But Magic’s short temper, shivers, and hyper-alert behavior resulted from being in pain. Here’s what you need to know to help your pets.
Do you have a pet 1st aid medicine chest for your dogs and cats? The audiobook version of my first aid book for pets includes some DIY home remedies for old pets. While your veterinarian diagnoses and prescribes for your pet’s health issues, pet first aid and minor problems may benefit from human medicines.
Home remedies for pets save $$ and pet lives because Fido and Sheba rarely tears a claw or eats something iffy during regular clinic hours. It’s helpful to know how to use your pantry supplies and human medicine chest to help your cat or dog. Some people prescriptions can be dangerous (especially for cats!) so it’s a good idea to have a handy list.
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My cat has long tails and she even chews them. I’m afraid to cut the nails because I don’t want to cut the nails to far. Is there a special trimmer that might show me where to cut?
Hi Crystal. Yes, most cats chew their nails, and it almost looks like they’re “picking” their teeth! I just updated the post with a couple more illustrations/diagrams to help with your question. Also, the trimmer that I mention, Zen Clipper for cats, has only a small opening. So you slip the tip of the claw in that opening, and only snip off the end of the claw. It gives you a pretty good guide on how much to trim. You also should be able to see the “pink” in the nail and avoid that.