Having a pet means you’re going to have to deal with their feet; at least on a regular basis, if not daily. And the good news is that, with some good guidance and dedication, it’s definitely not the nail salon disaster you feared. Not only can pet owners cut their pets’ nails (but only while a professional is present), but you can easily DIY tasty nail treats that are easy to eat and won’t leave them with dry, brittle, or cut claws. Here’s the hard, fast, and ugly nail cutting guide you’ll never regret reading.
First Things First: Find Your Pet
Before you start on your pet’s nails, you need to find your pet’s nail bed. In New York City, you can use your mobile device and search for NYCPetNailHacks. There are several services that handle this for you, including Bluestar Nail Hacks for cats, Safety in Pet Nail Hacks for dogs, and Tricky Nails for ferrets. (All three services allow you to come by to clean up any leftover dirt and twigs.)
Look Inside, Then Look Inside Elsewhere
First, get to know what your pet’s nails look like. Look over their paws before starting, and if they look wobbly, dilute soap and shampoo until they can eat. If not, shave their paws, pat the pad area for pulled hairs, or purchase a dog or cat nail clipping kit and start clipping away.
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Be Willing to Change Out Your Spackle
From time to time, your pet’s nails will need some help. If they start to curl or bleed, have them observed by a veterinarian first. If the wounds are infected, apply both an antibiotic and an anti-fungal paste in multiples, then wait 24 hours before manually trimming their nails so the infection doesn’t grow.
To Stop Breakage, Sometimes You Have to Cut A New One
There are many reasons your pet nails will break, and simple treatment can help, but what works for one can’t always work for another. If your pet tends to bite their nails and there are lots of exposed points, just twist them off and rotate them to stop bleeding. If your pet is chewing so much that they’re constantly pulling off their own nails, and you think they’re hurting themselves, you can trim off extra little knots. If your pet hates being fed and holds their food in their mouth, a bite guard can protect their teeth, so you won’t have to put up with their big, rough, and (potentially) bad teeth. Some pet owners even crack their pet’s claws off with a pair of clippers (and they can get a nice custom design, too!) or gloves.
Many pet owners prefer a brand of nail thinners that have teeth embedded in them. You can get thinners in products like baby powder, and you can also see if your salon stocks these. Check out the brands we’ve tested here.
Make a Nail Treat with Your Hand
Even if you don’t have the time or skill to make nail treats, we highly recommend putting together a fresh batch of dog biscuits, using any combination of organic and natural ingredients like peanut butter and bananas or salsa and veggies. Next, treat your pet to a special meal of natural treats like green tea, brown rice, and butternut squash for some natural green tea and cinnamon flavors to add sweetness.
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