How to Cut Your Pet’s Nails at Home (Including Tips for Nervous Pets)
Does the idea of trimming your pet’s nails make you nervous? If so, you’re not alone! However, I’ve got some good news – Nail trimming is a relatively easy task if done correctly. Let’s break it down and look at how to cut your pet’s nails at home safely and effectively.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I WILL EARN A COMMISSION IF YOU PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE READ MY FULL DISCLOSURE.
Pet nail trimming may sound like a fun spa trip, but this is much more than a bit of pampering. Overgrown nails can lead to significant pain and discomfort for your pet, making it incredibly important to stay on top of nail care.
Nail care is an IMPORTANT part of our pet’s overall health and hygiene!
For many pet owners, proper nail care has been as easy as a trip to a veterinarian or trusted groomer. However, with the current situation in our world, these services may not be available.
In many areas around the globe, groomers have been forced to close their jobs as they are not deemed an ‘essential service’ while veterinarians are required to limit their care to emergency situations. Unfortunately, a routine nail trimming doesn’t qualify…
Don’t forget to check out Part 1 of my Grooming at Home series ‘Groom Your Pets at Home (With Little to No Regrets)’ where we discuss proper bathing and brushing.
Stay tuned for Part 3: Ear Cleaning and Part 4: Dental Care.
Make sure to sign up for my mailing list so that you don’t miss them!
[mc4wp_form id=”36″]
If you’re reading this post, you’ve likely taken to the Internet in search of some guidance.
So, let’s get to it…
How to Cut Your Pet’s Nails at Home Safely and Effectively
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Supplies
Trying to wrangle your pet can be hard enough work when trimming their nails, you don’t need to add the stress of trying to find supplies in the moment.
Before you get started, take the time to gather up everything that you may need in advance. This includes not only the nail trimmer itself but also treats, styptic powder, and a towel, if necessary, to help you safely restrain a squirmy pet.
There are different types of pet nail trimmers on the market. Personally, I prefer a scissors-style trimmer like this Coastal Safari Professional Nail Trimmer for our medium to large-sized dogs.
Others may prefer a guillotine-style trimmer like this Coastal Safari Guillotine Nail Trimmer.
If you are cutting the nails of a small dog or a cat, you will want a smaller nail trimmer like the Coastal Lil Pals Nail Trimmer. Smaller still, the Living World Small Animal Nail Trimmer is designed for pets like rabbits and guinea pigs.
You will need to sharpen or replace your nail trimmers regularly to avoid them getting dull, making the process more uncomfortable for your pet.
Keep your pet’s favourite treats close at hand. This will help to make the whole process a positive one, easing their anxiety.
This could range from a healthy homemade treat like our Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats right down to a simple spoon full of peanut butter. The key is to stick with something that your pet knows and loves.
The Importance of Styptic Powder
Within a pet’s nail is a blood vessel referred to as the ‘quick’. If you cut a nail too short it will bleed, which is the result of cutting into this blood vessel.
To avoid cutting the quick, or ‘quicking’, cut back your pet’s nails in several small cuts.
Light-coloured nails will often allow you to see the quick through the nail, making it easier to avoid. In darker-coloured nails, watch for a gray to pink oval or ring at the cut surface of the nail. This is the point when you need to stop cutting as that is the quick coming to the surface.
Regardless of how careful you are, accidents happen. Styptic powder is a substance used by many veterinarians and professional groomers as it will both stop the bleeding and act as an antiseptic. You simply apply a small amount of the powder directly to the wound.
Styptic powder is easy to purchase online. With just a couple of clicks, you can have a product like Coastal Styptic Powder delivered straight to your door!
If you are in a hurry to cut your pet’s nails and don’t have styptic powder available, you can use cornstarch as a substitute.
Simply sprinkle some cornstarch onto a paper towel or in a small container and hold it against the nail. The combination of cornstarch with some pressure will help the blood to clot, effectively stopping the bleeding.
Other alternatives that you may have around your home include both flour and baking soda.
Step 2: Calm Your Pet
Before you start trimming your pet’s nails, take some time to calm your pet.
Your pet may be nervous or anxious, which is normal! Especially if you have never cut your pet’s nails at home in the past.
Allow him/her to see the tool before you start using it. This will give them a chance to get used to it before you are coming at them tool in hand.
REMEMBER: Your pet will feed off your energy. If you are overly nervous and anxious, this will rub off on your pet. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’ve got this!
Related: ‘11 Must-Have Apps for Pet Parents in 2020‘
Step 3: Get a Firm Grip on Your Pet’s Paw
This may be easier said than done, especially if your pet is squirmy or excitable.
In order to safely cut your pet’s nails, you need to have control of their paw. This means both seeing the nail (judging where to cut) as well as preventing the paw from moving while you are actively trimming.
This is where the towel mentioned in Step 1 may come in handy. Our sweet Jinx cat is NOT a fan of having her nails cut. However, if I cocoon her in a towel first, only pulling out the paw that I am working on, she is much calmer.
You will need to carefully brush any long hair back out of the way to ensure that you have a clear view of the nail.
Step 4: Time to Trim
Place a small portion of the nail in the trimmer. NOT the whole nail – Small cuts to avoid the quick.
The clipper should be placed parallel to the end of your pet’s nail, not the pet’s paw. The nails curve as they leave the paw meaning that placing the cutter parallel to your pet’s paw will take far more nail, increasing the risk of cutting the quick. This is generally a 45-degree angle to the paw itself.
You only want to cut the tip of the nail, not back past the nail’s curve.
Make sure to reward your pet throughout the process with praise and the occasional treat. This will help him/her to see nail trimming as a positive experience, meaning it will be less frightening next time.
Don’t forget the dewclaw located on the inside of your dog or cat’s paw.
Step 5: Repeat Regularly and Watch for Signs
How often you need to cut your pet’s nails will vary. Some pets will need their nails trimmed every 3-4 weeks while others can last a couple of months between trimmings.
As a pet owner, you will have to watch for signs that it is time.
The easiest and most obvious sign for many is the ‘clicking’ sound that occurs when your pet’s nails are hitting the ground. When their nails are the proper length, they will not actually make contact with the surface when your pet is walking.
Dogs that are regularly running or walking outdoors may actually wear down their nails, meaning that it needs to be done less often. A good reason to get out and take your pup for a walk daily!
Another way to see if it is time is to simply check your pet’s nail length.
Have the animal stand with their foot flat on the ground and look at where the nail rests in comparison to the ground. You should be able to pass a piece of paper between the nail and the ground. If not, it’s time for a trim!
Using A Nail Grinder
Some pets and their owners are more comfortable with the concept of a nail grinder rather than actually cutting their pet’s nails.
This is a tool that will slowly grind or file your pet’s nails away.
While the slower process will reduce your risk of accidentally cutting the quick of the nail, some animals will be impatient with how long this will take. Others will be uncomfortable with the noise or the vibration that comes from the grinder.
The only way to know if this is a good choice for you and your pet is through trial and error.
Purchase a high-quality nail grinder like this Conair Pro Dog Nail Grinder and don’t rush the process. The steps below will help to work your pet up to using the grinder like a pro!
Tips for Dealing With a Nervous Pet
If your pet is overly nervous during this process, you may want to take a step back and work up to the actual nail trim. This will give your pet a chance to get used to the nail clippers or grinder gradually at his/her own pace.
On the first day, simply leave your tools out for the pet to smell and investigate. Praise them near the tools so that they can see that they aren’t frightening.
When you see that your pet is comfortable with the presence of your tools, slowly and gently pick the tool up and touch it to your pet’s paws before rewarding them with praise and/or a treat.
You can then progress to squeezing the trimmers or turning on the grinder during this process so that he/she can get used to the sounds and the vibration of the grinder.
Remember: This is gradual, allow your pet to guide how quickly you move through this process!
As you reach the point of actually cutting your pet’s nails, don’t do all his/her nails at once. Instead, just do one or two and stop when you can see that he/she is getting uncomfortable. Gradually work this up over time.
Related: ‘12 Easy Ways to Save Money on Pet Food‘
Visual Learner? Check Out These Videos!
I know that there are some of you out there that prefer to learn by watching rather than reading the steps.
If you’re a visual learner, check out these videos from LakesVeterinaryHospital on YouTube. The first video is for smaller dogs, while the second video is for larger dogs.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Always work in a well-lit room. If you can’t find a well-lit space, wearing a headlamp can make this process easier.
- A general rule of thumb: If you need glasses to read, you need glasses to trim your pet’s nails as well.
- Don’t squeeze your pet’s toes while trimming. This is incredibly uncomfortable for them and will only cause them to squirm more.
Have you cut your pet’s nails at home before? If so, do you have any tips or tricks to share?
Feel free to leave your advice in the comment section!
I prefer to take my dog to the Groomer’s I am so afraid to hurt her that I just couldn’t bear to see her in pain so I take her to the groomers
Right now groomers here aren’t operating – they have been closed as they are not considered ‘essential’ and we have heard no word of when that will change. Leaving a pet’s nails uncut for too long can be uncomfortable and even painful for them. That leaves a lot of pet owners having to take this step whether they would like to or not.
I have to do this with the guinea pigs and they can go nuts! I’ll try out these tips for sure.
The tiny nails of guinea pigs and rabbits I always found were a little more challenging. It’s harder to see what you’re doing.
I use to think declawing was just cutting the claws back of cats, then I found out what it really was and I was horrified. I wouldn’t trust myself to cut back to nails of my pet, knowing there was a blood vessel in them.
“In darker coloured nails, watch for a gray to pink oval or ring at the cut surface of the nail. ”
Maybe adding a picture to go with this bit of advice might make others feel more confident, as it’ll be clearer to know what they should be looking for
It’s definitely a little nerve-wracking when you’re not used to doing it. However, the blood vessel only goes part way up the nail. So, as long as you’re careful not to take too much, the cats will be fine. It’s also important to remember that while no one WANTS to cut the quick, accidents do happen. As long as you’re prepared to deal with it appropriately, everyone will be okay!
We’ve not cut our dogs nails at home before but during this pandemic, we may have to do so as our dog’s nails have become uncomfortable for them and us. These tips will come in handy when we have to go ahead and do that.
A lot of pet owners are in the same shoes – having to tackle this for the first time on their own. That’s exactly why I wanted to put this together. I know how daunting it was the first time that I did it.
I am so bad at this and it does make me super nervous….I’m hoping we can get back to the groomer soon. If not we have a nail grinder but it is a 2 person job.
My one dog won’t go near a grinder lol He freaks out and cries like we’re skinning him alive. Oddly enough, he’s pretty laid back about using the nail trimmers (in comparison) so we opt for that route. Less likely to make the neighbours think they need to call the authorities that way lol
Cutting my own pets nails sounds daunting but others this guide I believe I would be able to do it 🙂 thanks for the tips
It’s definitely a little nerve wracking at first – I remember being SO nervous the first couple times! Just take it slow, take your time and make sure to take some deep breaths. As I pointed out, your pets will feed off your energy!
This sounds like a good way to take care of their nails. It would save trips to the vet
I know that here right now, the vets are being told not to make appointments just for nail trims – emergency appointments only. If you’re going in for something else that does fit that description, you could probably get it done while you’re there. However, I can’t imagine that would be on my mind during an emergency situation.
I have always been so afraid to do this. After reading your article, I feel like maybe I can take it on.
It’s definitely a little nerve wracking at first, but if you take your time and try not to let your nerves get you, it’s definitely doable!
My dogs look at me and cry every time I try to cut their nails! It’s drives me mad because they cannot sit still and I’m always worried about cutting the quick. I’ll try out the tips you’ve mentioned and also look into the equipment!
Our boy used to be really bad for that when we first adopted him. He would actually roll on his back and pee… Not only did it make a mess, you felt horrible because he was clearly traumatized. We rescued him at 1 1/2, so I’m not sure if he had a bad experience with it when he was little. We had to go through the steps of working him up to it. He’s still not a fan now, but he’s MUCH better than he once was.
I saw this guy on Tik Tok wrap his forehead in clingfilm, slap some peanut butter on it and he let his dog lick it off while he cut its nails! I was wondering would it work for my cats because they can both be so skittish!
I’ve seen that one! It made me laugh – Distractions are a GREAT way to help with a skittish animal!
The thought of having to nail trim makes me so nervous! Thankfully Hugo’s don’t need doing ever as his walks take care of them, his groomer only buffs them a little to smooth them so that can wait until they can be reunited again. But I do have a guinea pig who is in desperate need for a nail trim and the blood vessels thing makes me so nervous when it comes to doing his! x
Sophie
Some dogs definitely wear theirs down from walking. It depends largely on what surfaces they are walking on as well as the individual dogs gait – they all walk slightly differently just like people. My girl wears hers down a bit from walking, but not enough to stay ahead of it so we have to trim them occasionally still.
I don’t owe a pet yet but this is ideal to do. Over grown nails can cause infections. Thanks for sharing this info
Yes! Overgrown nails can lead to a lot of problems. It’s so important to stay on top of it.
Great tips – I’m always so surprised at the number of people that don’t cut their pets’ nails. I grew up in a home where it’s just what my parents did. I do all of mine at home – my dachshund is the only nervous one but I found a great trick. I smear the inside of a coffee mug with peanut butter and stick it in the freezer. A few hours later my husband holds the mug for my dachshund to lick while I trim. Works like a charm!
That’s a great trick! Our vet does something similar when needed during appointments in general. The only different is that they use a dog bowl that they can sit in front of the dog to distract them.
I love these tips! 🙂 some of my cats are really nervous when it comes to this. these tips actually make sense! thank you for sharing…
One of my cats still isn’t a fan, but the towel trick really helps!
I used to have to trim our indoor cats’ claws and I put it on the same level as cutting Flora’s nails when she was a baby/toddler – I HATED it! But starting when they’re young (kittens or babies) is key because they get used to it with minimum fuss. These are great tips, Britt, especially about tiny steps so you don’t cut the quick. Thank you for sharing 🙂 Lisa
Definitely! When they are just kittens/puppies we need to handle their paws often and start young so that that they get used to it. That way, it will be a lot easier when they grow up.
Oh wow!! As a child growing up we had several dogs as pets and I don’t recall the need to cut their nails. I just cannot see myself doing this with pets. Give me the children and babies any day but pets I am not sure that I will be successful at all.
Some pets will wear them down, but most won’t. When they become too long they can be really uncomfortable for the pet when they are trying to walk. A lot of vets will take care of it during vet appointments if they notice that it’s needed.
It was scary to cut my former pet’s nails as you heard horror stories. However, I was lucky to not hit any nerves or make our dogs’ paws bleed.
All the horror stories out there really add to the anxiety that a lot of pet owners feel!
I don’t have a pet at home due to being too busy so I don’t know what goes into cutting a pet’s nails at home. However, now that I know, bless you for doing it! It looks like there are so many things you are in need of before you even begin.
That’s the biggest mistake that many people make – Not being prepared before starting. There is nothing more stressful than trying to find what you need while in the middle of dealing with everything.
My Terrier mix Mia has one funky nail on her foot that grows longer than the others and grows inward towards her pad. Literally every time we trim her nails we cut too low. The last time it bled so much and looked like a crime scene in my living room. We were panicking as it wouldn’t stop bleeding so I started googling how to get a nail to stop bleeding and sure enough flour was what worked for us. I have now purchased septic powder and will use these tips moving forward. Very timely post as she is due for a trim.
I will never forget the first time that my husband cut my girl’s nails. I came home from work and opened the door to blood leading from the bathroom to the living room (where we had cream coloured carpet). In the middle of the living room I found my husband and my dog sitting with cornstarch and blood all over them and the carpet around them lol
Thanks for the tips. As a vet tech I’m always so surprised how many people pay to have this done, but I guess fear is a big factor!
I think most people are genuinely afraid of hitting the quick. I know that was a fear factor for me the first few times that I took care of ours. If they happen to be in need when we’re there for an appointment, our vet will go ahead and take a little off as part of it all, but we generally take care of it all ourselves now. That being said, I can’t help but remember what it was like when I started! That’s why I wanted to put this together.
I’ve never actually done my dogs myself but I’m going to have to now that the groomer is closed. This was super helpful!
It can be a little nerve wracking the first time. As long as you’re prepared, you’ve got this!
Great! it is the need of time and your post will be support to all pet lovers, they will be able to Cut their Pet’s Nails at Home
It’s definitely the reality of our world today!
This is such a great post. Especially for right now because you can’t just go to the groomers as easily. Thanks so much for sharing all these tips and tricks!
So many pet owners have come to rely on groomers for services like this, and now they’re scrambling at home trying to figure it out. I still remember how nervous I used to get, so I just wanted to do what I could to help!
I always cut my cat’s nails when he sleeps. He doesn’t like it at all, but during his sleep time he becomes very mellow and I can easily do the work without him noticing.
That’s a great trick if you have a cat that is a heavy enough sleeper!
Wow I found this post at the perfect time!! I’ve been so scared to cut my dogs nails because I don’t want to hurt him! But I’m definitely gonna try these tips. Thank you SO much!!
You’ve got this! Just be prepared with everything you need, stay calm yourself and take it slow.