5 Things You Should Know About Nail Clippers

Photo courtesy of the ASPCA: Nail clippers can be dangerous to use. (Photo: ASPCA)

It’s a time-honored tradition: Your dog stops to lick your hand and literally peels off part of your glove.

Nails, after all, are often the first thing that bites people in the finger or a wrist, and this is why so many visitors say “nail clippers are so dangerous!” But as the ASPCA explains, “they aren’t.” Here are some things you should know.

1. Nail clippers are dangerous if you’re not using them properly. Nail clippers can be dangerous to use if you’re not using them properly. You should be using scissors or a gluing machine, not nippers, in your own house. For cats, it’s best to use a nail clipper in a cat’s litter box, and be careful of suction cups or waste bags you attach to these to prevent your pet from chewing them off.

2. There are many styles of nail clippers. The ASPCA recommends using products that are designed for nails like petite or clippers meant for very short nails like mane clippers. If you’re having trouble finding the right model for your pet, the ASPCA suggests buying a device that lets you write on it with your fingernail and wraps it around the pet’s nail. This is done to prevent prolonged exposure to the chemicals inside the clippers.

3. Cutting your pet’s nails is not an experience for everyone. Cutting your pet’s nails can be painful and it’s important to educate yourself before doing so. First, learn how to prevent harmful reactions before using the clippers. If you’re cutting a pet’s nail, first clean the nail and look for damage. Take care to keep the nail bed clean and dry, and to use a nail clipping tool that has a firm, rubber tip, according to the ASPCA. That way your dog won’t end up scratching you. Lastly, be sure your dog is completely asleep before starting the clipping process. Don’t cut the nail until your dog is asleep.

4. Problems with nail clippers can occur with pet owners and pets too. Nail clippers can irritate your pet’s skin and cause permanent nails damage to some pets. If your pet is used to performing tasks like licking your fingers and makes licking a ritual, sometimes they’ll lick too hard and tear their fingernails. If they keep doing this over and over, your pet could become addicted to licking and might need to be trained to stop.

5. You need to assess whether you’re too old for grooming your pet. Some dog owners can’t lift their pet up without hurting them and are a risk to the animal. If you’re an older dog owner, sit with your pet while you use a nail clipper, go over what’s happening so you don’t feel like you’re hurting your pet, and pick up the nail clipper afterwards.