How Often Should You Cut Your Dogs Nails?

All dogs require basic grooming to keep them looking their best. Take their fur, for instance, it should be brushed regularly—that will help to remove any tangles or mats.

Not only that, but it’s important to bathe them every once in a while. That way, their skin, and coat will be kept healthy.

On top of that, you want to trim their nails. That’ll prevent them from getting too long, which can cause health issues.

How often should you cut your dogs nails? What’s the proper way to do it? Find out by reading the rest of this post!

Anatomy of Your Dog's Nails

A dog's nail consists of two parts—a hard outer shell, and a soft cuticle of blood vessels and nerves called the quick. When trimming the nail, go slow; it’s important to stay away from the quick as cutting it can cause pain and draw blood.

This is especially true if your dog has black nails as the blood vessels can be difficult to see.

How Often Should You Cut Your Dogs Nails?

You should trim your dog’s nails as often as it takes to prevent them from touching the ground when they’re standing. For example, some dogs might need to get them cut every four to six weeks while others can go longer between trimmings.

At the end of the day, it depends on various factors such as their breed, and level of activity (regular exercise, especially on pavement, will wear down their nails naturally).

How to Trim a Dog's Nails

Hold one of your dog’s paws firmly but gently between your thumb and forefinger. Make sure that there isn’t any fur in the way.

Extend the nail forward by pushing down slightly on the paw pad. Clip the tip of the nail straight across. It’s important that you don’t clip past the natural curve of the nail, otherwise, you risk hitting the quick.

Remove any sharp tips or fragments with a heavy-duty nail file.

Tip: Look for a chalk-like white ring if your dog has black nails—that’s the beginning of the quick.

How to Stop a Dog’s Nail From Bleeding

The easiest way to stop the bleeding is to use styptic powder. Apply a small amount onto your fingertip and press it into the nail; the bleeding should stop after a few minutes.

Don’t have styptic powder? You can use cornstarch or flour instead.

Cutting Your Dog's Nails Properly 

How often should you cut your dogs nails? The answer is that it depends. As long as it isn't touching the ground, it shouldn't pose a problem. 

Not comfortable with the idea of cutting them yourself? Need some help? If so, why not give us a call? We’d be more than happy to help with our stress-free mobile services!