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YOUR DOG QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What do I need to know to trim my dog's nails? What do I do if I cut into the quick? Answered by Katie Traill

A dog's paw has five nails, including the dew claw. The nail is located at the end of the toe (the phalanx bone), is wider at the top, and begins to become narrow as the nail grows. The structure of the nail is divided into two parts. The first part contains a network of blood vessels that supply the nail with nutrition and nerve endings. This first part, closest to the paw, is known as the quick. The second part, which is the end of the nail, is a physically hard structure made up of keratin.

The action of nail trimming is a part of a dog's grooming routine. To maintain healthy nails, dogs require their nails to be trimmed regularly.

According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), a dog needs a nail trim when their toenails "just about touch the ground when he or she walks." A dog's nails can be trimmed with traditional plier style nail clippers, a nail grinder, guillotine style clippers and spring-loaded scissor style clippers.

However, a dog's nail is not as easy to trim as a human's nail. This is due to the heightened risk of causing pain and bleeding by cutting into the 'quick'. This pain, in severe cases, can at least temporarily affect the way the dog moves and cause pain in their musculoskeletal system.

NOTE: If your dog's nails have not been trimmed in some time, you need to take him to a professional groomer or vet to have his nails cut, as the quick lengthens over time and the risk of cutting into it is much higher.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ACCIDENTALLY CUT THE QUICK

The goal of trimming toenails is to cut off the tip of the nail. If you feel confident in trimming your dog's nails, you can do it yourself at home. Most dogs have white nails in which one can visibly see a pink quick, making it easier to know where you should avoid. Other dogs have black toenails with a black quick, which makes it much more challenging to assess where to cut. In rare circumstances, a dog can have both black and white nails.

Here are the steps to take if you realise you have cut into the quick: 1. Don't panic! It really isn't the end of the world. Take a deep breath and follow the next steps. 2. Dip the bleeding nail into flour or corn starch to stop the bleeding. Both substances act as clotting agents that stop the bleeding quickly. 3. If the bleeding doesn't stop, call your local vet.

Where to cut your dog’s nail.