Groom Dog Nails at Home With These Tips

A post shared by Mommy Belle (@mommy_loule) on Dec 11, 2017 at 3:45pm PST

The last time we had our Nails Alive event, we noticed our own client, Megan, sporting the most perfectly painted dots on her Dachshund’s nails. A tip off from the luscious pups we’ve met before and remember well from the event — six simple nails is a fine-enough finish for them to go over their shoulders.

It turns out that short nails aren’t the only dog trick up Megan’s nose, as Nails Alive also stresses the importance of groomed nails with detailed tips for trimming and condition for a “superlative finish.” As a lover of dogs myself, I couldn’t resist sharing how to get the look. After finding many tips from top experts in the world of pets and their nails, here are our five ideas for grooming Nails Alive.

1. Let Her Do Her Own Thing

“A shorter tail and perfect nails are the perfect baby-step in a long grooming regimen,” says Kevin Ranieri, the Northeast regional executive director of Pet Sitters International and a former Dachshund groomer. “Be patient and let the dog do her own thing. Don’t be afraid to come over during the evening. They may have recovered from the day when you weren’t there.”

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2. Pick Your Stylist

If you’re looking for a professional nail specialist, check out high-end veterinary offices such as Oak Labs. A loyal client base and, of course, 100 percent professionalism help vets pass the Groomer Test — which requires that you see a facial hygiene check, search a reference book for grooming procedures in your state, find out about nail conditions, and look for pictures of owner interviews with dogs who’ve had grooming.

Also look for a professional who doesn’t charge extra for their services, which is hard to come by. For a small fee, experts like Dr. Salhi do his or her research and choose only the best of the best in terms of polish, trimming, and tattooing.

3. Keep a Checklist for Maintenance

Even if you have a vet who does your pet’s nails for you, you may have fallen off the schedule by not keeping a thorough check list of what your pet needs to be groomed for. “Always keep an appointment with a grooming professional for those who don’t have books or referrals,” says Kevin. “It is a terrible waste of time and money for the pet lover if you hit a snag.”

4. Get a Groomer for More Specific Needs

If you’re looking for someone with specialized services, visit the Pet Shop for salon. You’ll be able to put all of your pet’s unique needs into one place with a personality-based salon with top vets and grooming experts.

5. Pay Attention to These Tips

More and more professionals are recommending using ammonia on newly groomed nails. The best formula we’ve found is “Pritkake,” which is an ammonia-free acrylic-type foam that has been used for 30 years to prevent the spread of mold from nail clippings. Per the manufacturer’s website, Pritkake is a de-frizzing wax that also works as a conditioner, so you don’t even have to add any color.