Nail clippers for dogs: varieties, features of choice and use

1. How to choose?
2. Rating of the best models
3. Features of use
4. Help for trauma
5. Things to know (Q&A)

Every conscious owner should monitor the condition of the dog's claws. Some people prefer to go to a veterinary clinic or a groomer, however, this is not always convenient. The procedure must be carried out regularly starting from the first appearance of a pet in the house. On average, nails need to be cut every 2-3 weeks. Choosing the right tool will allow you to carry out the procedure quickly and safely.

Kinds

A nail cutter is needed to remove overgrown claws. The tools differ in design.

Guillotine

The working surface is presented in the form of a circle, a hole in which the claw is placed. When you press the handles, a blade comes out, which makes a cut. The cutting blade must always be sharpened. Otherwise, the claw will not be cut off, but squeezed.

Secateurs

The tool is more convenient due to the limiter on the working part. Pressure (compression) control is provided by a spring system. For safe storage, there is a lock on the handles.

Scissors

Visually similar to the usual stationery scissors, but one blade has a recess for the claw. Not the most ergonomic version of the handles makes this type of nail clipper less attractive.

Grinders (trimmers)

Reminds me of a grinder with a round nozzle. Claws are sharpened neatly, which minimizes the risk of damage. The best are models with a limiter in the form of a drum, which allows you to protect the skin on the paw. Among the shortcomings of the trimmer, there is noise, the formation of dust and a specific smell. The machine is powered by the mains, so you can not use it on the road.

How to choose?

It is strictly forbidden to cut the claws of dogs with any household tools. This is directly related to the special density and structure of the claw. Do not use nail cutters that are designed for cats. Using the wrong tool is fraught with injuries, delamination of the claws, bleeding.

Recommendations for choosing a nail cutter.

• Guillotine nail cutters are suitable for cutting soft nails, usually found in small and medium breeds or puppies.
• Secateurs are able to cut a claw of any thickness. Great option for large dogs.
• Scissors are uncomfortable to hold in your hand, because of which you can inadvertently injure the dog or harm the claw itself. Best suited for emergency trimming of long but thin nails.
• It is important to choose the optimal size. Nail cutter for large dogs should be 16-18 cm, for medium - 14-16 cm, for small - 8-11 cm.
• Electric scratching post - trimmer - suitable for cutting claws of any thickness. It is better to accustom the animal from childhood, so as not to scare him with noise and smell later. The tool allows you to round the cut line as much as possible, the dog will not scratch the owners or furniture.
• A quality product leaves a smooth and even cut. The slightest flaws signal that the material of the nail cutter is of poor quality or the blades are not sharpened properly.
• The best option is a tool with rubberized handles. So you can control the situation as much as possible during the procedure.

Rating of the best models

When choosing, you should give preference to well-known companies. The cheapest tool will save you 1 time, however, it will not last long and can cause damage to the nail bed or more serious injuries.

NOBBY for dogs

Typical secateurs with rubberized handles sit comfortably in the hand and give a good result. The material is of high quality, the blades do not get dull even with prolonged regular use.

Trixie Cutters DeLuxe

The stainless steel blades work great with the thick claws of large breeds. The tool is comfortable to use thanks to the ergonomic handles.

Stainless steel

Designed for small breed dogs. The guillotine is safe to use because it does not allow you to place the nail beyond the limiter. Recommended for people who are just starting out with the procedure.

TRIOL 331A

Reasonable cost is combined with high quality blades. The handle and lock are made of plastic and have rubber overlays.

Features of use

Before the procedure, the owner must calm down, otherwise the pet will feel fear and behave nervously. If the animal is still afraid, then carry out the procedure as accurately as possible several times, however, do not cut the claws. Such preparation is necessary in order for the dog to understand the procedure and feel more confident. Over time, use the nail cutter on a pencil or object to demonstrate a special sound to your pet. Trim 1 nail after 5-7 preparations.

Accompany the preparation process with rewards and goodies. The goal is for the dog to understand the procedure and its safety in as much detail as possible.

At this time, it is especially important not to offend the animal, not to hurt. Trimming nails is not difficult, but you need to apply maximum patience and be careful.

Rules for the use of guillotine and pruning tools.

• Sterilize nail clippers with alcohol or vodka. Hands or gloves should also be disinfected. The dog's paws should also be washed and dried.
• If possible, you can trim the nails immediately after bathing. At this time, they are as soft and pliable as possible.
• Take a close look at your pet's claws. If they are light, then the pulp (tissue with blood vessels) will be easy to see. It is important not to hurt her when circumcised. The cut should be located 1.5-2 mm from the edge of the pulp.
• If the dog has black claws, then you need to cut 0.5 mm. You need to finish the procedure as soon as a pink dot or a place that looks like a wet spot is envious in the middle of the claw.
• Start cutting off the claws from the front paws. The dog must stand on the floor or a special non-slip table.
• With your left hand, press the pad of your finger to stretch the claw.
• Cut inward at a 45° angle in a quick motion feet by 1 mm.
• Continue cutting in 0.5 mm increments until you are close to the pulp at the desired distance.

You can not cut the claw immediately to the pulp in one motion. The risk of injury is too great. If you touch living tissue, then the animal will be hurt. If the dog twitches at this moment, then there is a risk of pulling out the claw altogether.

You can not finish the procedure, but postpone it for a while if the dog has become nervous.

The principle of using a trimmer is slightly different from cutting tools. You don't need to cut the nails, they are just filed. Grinders have several nozzles in the set, which are made from grinding stone.

The procedure with a power tool takes longer because it heats up and needs to be turned off. For a dog, it's even better, because it's not so scary.

Help for trauma

It is not difficult to cut the claws, however, the carelessness of the owner or the nervousness of the dog can lead to unpleasant consequences. It is better to play it safe even before the procedure begins. If the pet is quite active or impressionable, then it is recommended to give a sedative drug first. Funds must be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. Herbal preparations slightly weaken the excitability of the nervous system.

Place a powder, tissue, or powder near the procedure site to stop bleeding. With a little negligence, damage to the pulp is accompanied by hemorrhage from dozens of important vessels. Heavy bleeding as a result of an injury can frighten a dog, so keeping the owner calm and collected is key. It is strictly forbidden to use such means:

• iodine;
• peroxide;
• fucorcin;
• vodka;
• green;
• alcohol;
• dimexide.

If there is no special powder or baby powder on hand, then it is better to use ordinary food flour. Various remedies that cauterize or contain alcohol will increase the pain several times. Before the first procedure of cutting the claws, it is worth consulting with a veterinarian and find out which tool is best to use. Do not take medications without a doctor's prescription.

As a result of improper procedure, you can undermine the dog's claw. This is usually due to the fact that the owner squeezes the tool for a long time, and the dog at this moment pulls its paw. The skin and soft tissues on the finger are torn, and the claw itself remains in the nail cutter. It is important to understand that at this moment the animal is experiencing wild pain. The dog will begin to whine strongly and try to run away, and an aggressive reaction is also possible.

In such a situation, it is important to react quickly and not create a panic. If necessary, you should ask someone from the family to call a veterinarian at home or prepare everything for a trip to the clinic. In parallel, it is worth providing urgent assistance using such an algorithm.

• Start talking calmly and soothingly with your pet. Do your best to distract your dog from the pain and injury.
• With a piece of sterile gauze, tie the injured paw around the wrist, this place is called the metatarsus. This kind of tourniquet will help to calm the bleeding.
• Tighten and secure the gauze bandage. Try to raise your paw as high as possible. Attach something cool, such as ice or food from the freezer. Pre-wrap a suitable item in a cotton cloth and a plastic bag. The cold will slightly reduce pain and reduce bleeding.
• As soon as the blood subsided slightly, it is necessary to visually assess the situation. If open ruptures of soft tissues are visible, then pour novocaine or lidocaine there. Manipulation will reduce pain as much as possible.

Be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

The nuances of choosing a nail clipper for dogs are described in the video below.

Things to know (Q&A)