Are your dog’s nails getting snagged on the carpet? Then that means it is time to groom your dog’s nails. Long nails can cause traction problems or become ingrown. Here are some tips on how to groom a dog’s nails.

1. Gather together all your tools. You will need sharp trimmers that are relatively new, styptic powder in case of a bleeding nail (available in any pet shop) and some treats. If you don’t have styptic powder, corn starch or cooking powder will also do.
2. Remember that a dog’s nails are different from ours. They have a quick, which is a part of the nail that bleeds and has nerves. If you cut the quick, it is very painful for the dog. The dog may even bite you if it feels such pain. So always be very careful.
3. Choose the nail you want to cut first. Pull it out a bit to separate it from the others, and look for the quick. If the dog’s nails are white, that should be easy–the quick has a pinkish red tone inside. If the dog’s nails are black it is harder to find the quick but sometimes you can still find it.
4. In cutting dark nails, try the safe route. Clip just a little bit, then clip a little bit again, until you think you have found the quick and stop just before it. Then cut the other nails the same length. If it is really hard you can just clip the tip of the nail. If the nails are white, just clip above the quick. Do it quickly.
5. In case of bleeding, apply the styptic powder, and give your dog a treat.

A dog’s nails should be cut every two weeks, but if it walks around on concrete ground, it can be clipped less frequently.

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