Nail-clipping question ??

[cyber-sibes]

I recently started to clip my dogs' nails. I know not to get close to the quick, but how close can you get? the clipper has a little safety plate on it to keep their nails from slipping through, but it seems like they are still pretty long. I don't want to overdue it - can I go to an 1/8th " from the quick? Also, I'm afraid I'm going to crunch/split their nails, any suggestions? maybe I'm just not used to it yet. Thanks, oh wise ones. :o

[wolf_Q]

I hate those safety plates I had a pair of nail clippers that had that, I tried it once then took the plate off, couldn't stand it.....so I honestly am not too sure how far exactly the plate will let you clip. I'm not sure in exact measurements how close to the quick you can get, I clip almost right at the edge of Nebo's and I've never made him bleed, but some dogs I clip that close and it bleeds. Generally you clip where the nail starts to curve but if the nails have grown out long the quick has likely grown out as well.

I'm sure they have fairly large thick nails so to avoid crunching/splitting the nails you want to make sure you have nail clippers made to handle bigger nails and ones that are sharp. If they are not sharp they can bend the nail instead of clipping it. (These are the only kind I will use on big dogs:Large dog nail clippers 6.5" by Millers Forge (http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=7326&Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=millers+forge+nail+clippers&sku=71021&familyID=6040&) )

When you clip the nail the quick will receed a tiny bit, so if you want the nails to be shorter you'll need to clip a little bit every few days-week for a while and eventually you should get the quick back to normal length. Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you clip too close, it will make the bleeding stop instantly.

Many people also recommend the dremmel tool to grind the nail I prefer the old fashioned way though, but I'm sure it works great.

[wolfsoul]

can I go to an 1/8th " from the quick?

Even closer. :) You can basically go as close to the quick as possible without making it bleed. I'm notorious for ALMOST quicking the dog, because I get as close to the quick as possible. The easiest way to tell where you are --- don't look at the dog's nail from the top. Lift the dog's paw and look at the bottom of the foot (the pads). Clip the nail from that point of view. You can see the hollow piece of the nail that way. Clip until you reach where the hollow place ends. You'll occasionally get a dog that doesn't have a hollow piece. You just have to use your judgement; The more you do it, the better you get. If you cut WITH the quick, rather than against the way it grows, the nail will appear shorter.

[sumbirdy]

you usually just have to clip it to where it curves, but you can get very close to the quick without making it bleed. I've done it many times. If you accidentally get the quick just put some septic powder on it and it should be fine.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Clip until you reach where the hollow place ends.

If you cut WITH the quick,
rather than against the way it grows, ...

:confused:

"hollow place ends"
?? Meaning where the partially open (paw end) sort of grows together to make
the solid, sealed, underside of the tip of the nail?

-----------------------

"cut WITH the quick, rather than against it ..."
?? Can you explain this?

/s/ Phred

[BC_MoM]

Many people also recommend the dremmel tool to grind the nail I prefer the old fashioned way though, but I'm sure it works great.

I take Mickey and Molly to a place once a month to get their nails done for $6. They use a dremmel, I love it. Usually things like that freak Molly right out, but she's fine with it. :)

[cyber-sibes]

Thanks everyone. When we lived in the city & I walked them alot, their claws wore down from the sidewalk. Now they run on grass & dirt all the time, so this is a new experience.

Amy, those look really nice. Perhaps next paycheck :rolleyes: . I do have a dremel tool, but I honestly can't imagine Sherman holding still! He's never liked his feet handled, but since he broke his toe, he's really fussy about his paws! it took 3 people holding him to clip them at the vets. I've been slowly handling them now for months before getting close with clippers. I practically had to sit on him the first time. This last time he didn't seem to mind so much. Star's been pretty tolerant so far, maybe I will try the dremel tool on her, if she doesn't freak out. In the meanwhile, I'll just keep clipping a little more off every few days.