WHY DO YOU TRIM THE PADS OF THE FEET?
Health of Pet –
Mats can cause discomfort between the toes and pads. Mats and excessive coat between the pads traps moisture causing skin irritation. In winter climates, excessive coat causes ice and salt build up between the pads and toes. Excusive coat hides burrs, thorns, tar, gum and a wide range of items that can be uncomfortable to the pet.
Cleanliness –
A clean foot pad does not track as much dirt and mud into an owner’s home.
Visual –
Each breed standard will call for a certain type of foot. Trimming accentuates the proper foot type. It presents a “picture” of a well-groomed pet. finished picture of a well-groomed pet.
Needless to say, both of these possibilities are extremely painful but can be easily avoided by regular clipping. Depending on how often your dog walks or runs on pavement (which wears down the nail naturally), their nails should be addressed either via clipping or filing every 4-6 weeks.
For the Professionals and DIY’ers
The most important thing you’ll need is a good pair of nail clippers. There are a few different styles to choose from, but I recommend and use scissor style clippers. This style of clipper gives you the most leverage and control.
A photo of the clippers we sell is shown below. These sturdy, stainless steel clippers are durable and have rubber coated handles for easy gripping. This andis clipper having useful Safety lock on handle for safe storage.
The nails should be trimmed back as far as possible without causing excessive bleeding. If nails are only “tripped”, the quick will continue to grow farther into our nail, eventually making it impossible to obtain a healthy short nail.
If you’re only doing your own dog’s nails at home (and you’re careful!)
Keep pets looking their Grooming Tools, supplies, and equipment. We offer a full line of professional quality grooming tools and accessories including brushes, andis Dematting Tool, clippers, shampoos, shears and dryers for your convenience
Once you’ve got the tools, you’re ready to start clipping! Refer image below,
The Easy Answer
The easiest way to avoid the heartache and frustration of attempting to clip your own dog’s nails at home is to take them to the groomer on a regular basis. Sometimes, the wiggliest of dogs who just won’t let their owners do them often are just fine when they’re on a groomer’s table.
Many dog groomers offer nail clipping as a walk-in service and can often do them while you wait for a reasonable price.
The Last Step
Some dogs absolutely REFUSE to allow their nails to be trimmed by their owner, or by a groomer. The last step should never be to leave nails to grow un-clipped. Unfortunately, no matter how upset or aggressive a dog may become, it still must be done. In these cases, I recommend taking your dog to the vet. Vets can ensure both your dog and the person attempting to trim their nails remain safe.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is more than just a luxurious pawdicure. Whether you decide to bring them to a groomer, a vet or even do it yourself, it’s an important part of keeping your dog at their best!
