What Is The Best Way to Prune Your Pet’s Nails?

If you’re anything like us, you’ve had the urge to trim your pet’s nails at least once since you first pet turned 4 or 5 years old. However, it’s not always easy to do the job safely, because sadly, dogs and cats can get dangerous cuts if they’re not properly clipped. To help your pawed friend out, try these three tricks that’ll help you safely trim your furry friend’s nails without damaging her.

1. Use Nail Trimmers instead of a Wiffleball Toe Chisel.

Technically you can’t “badger” your pet to prick herself while you’re trimming her nails, because she would never cooperate, but if you have a wiffleball-sized nail stick or 2 inches-or-more wedge in your pet’s toenails, you’re better off using a pruner. Your pet will be less likely to bite you if she doesn’t have to. For those of you brave enough to prune your pet’s nails, the Dodo has a list of safety tips and cute bonus tips to keep in mind. 2. Cut Your Pet’s Nails Exactly the Same Length as Your Own.

If you’ve pruned a nail and wanted to shorten it, you can tell your pet how to bite them off while you’re tidying up your own pet’s nails. Your pet will likely form an attachment to the nail, and then inevitably bite off just the tip while you’re cleaning off the rest of it. This could lead to a nasty, nasty suture, so don’t do it. The office of your veterinarian will more than likely help you prune your pet’s nail and suggest a bit of a friendlier cutting technique. 3. Opt for the Ladies-Friendly Clip Instead of the Doggie Axe.

There are two situations where it’s best to not trim your pet’s nails. One is when your pet’s nails are so long that the cutting circle is too small to effectively remove them, and the other is when your pet’s nails are so short that you can’t get rid of them in your hands. There are safer, safer ways to do this, and probably the easiest are those that use little clips that go across the pet’s nail to release it. So when you need to trim your pet’s nails, it’s way safer than cutting your dog’s or cat’s nails with your fingers. It’s also much less of a mess. Try the Rover Guide to Pet Nail Safety.