As a dog parent, either experienced or newbie, you probably know exactly well the importance of trimming your dog's paws frequently. The benefits are endless, and the consequences, if you don't trim the dog's paws, are muchly serious in certain cases. Therefore, it is time to figure out how to trim your dog's nails at home with clippers.
But that's not all. In the below article, here are the contents you can expect to discover:
- Why should I trim my dog's paws?
- What to prepare in advance?
- A step-by-step guide to trimming dog's paws
Let's not keep you waiting any longer and get started!
Why Trim Dog Paws?
The reasons to groom your dog's paws are plentiful. Remember that it is not only about the sense of aesthetics, but also your dog's comfort and health enhancement. Each of the rationales will get explained down below.
- Being aesthetic: the first purpose of trimming a dog's paws for many pet owners is the look. Furry and messy paws are not pleasant to gaze at for sure. There are many steps in grooming your dog's paws, and trimming the nails off is one huge step.
- The dog's comfort: having long nails is an annoying thing for dogs, and it is understandable in every case. Why does your dog want such discomfort in its daily life, instead of a properly trimmed paw?
- The dog's health conditions: believe it or not, trimming your dog's paws is actually beneficial for its health. The longer the nails are, the greater the hazards of being caught and torn. We certainly don't want the situation to take place for our dogs or any dog out there at all.
What To Prepare Before Trimming My Dog's Paws?
There are many dog spas that do grooming services. However, some of them may cost you a lot to do so, and the reasons are not surprising at all. The fees become extremely high when you have a big buddy.
So, we don't why not try to do the simple grooming steps at home for your cute mate? Adding to that, there can be times when you cannot take your dog to the salon, including your busy schedules or quarantine periods. Here is what you need to prepare in advance before trimming your dog's paws.
- A nail clipper for dog usage
- A nail file for dogs
- A brush
- A pair of cutting scissors
- A pair of blending scissors
- A hair buzzer
- A special wax for moisturizing the feet
You can get some pet grooming kits from Amazon or eBay. There are many options with affordable prices but high quality.
The Step-By-Step Guide To Trim My Dog's Paws With Clippers
For the main section, let's guide you through the steps to trim your dog's paws and do some extra grooming for her. The grooming should not take you too long since we shall start with beginners' steps. If your dog needs an enhanced process, you can always consider taking him or her to the nearest dog care services. But for now, we will learn together how to trim your dog's paws.
Step 1: Get your dog on a hammock or a grooming table and calm it down
Get a spot that is large enough for standing your dog. We suggest you place your pal in a high place but keep in mind to calm it down at first. If your dog is still immature and muchly active, having some supporting tools such as a hammock is helpful. That's also what pet care services use in similar cases.
Remember that dogs should feel comfortable and safe when you do this. Rewarding her with treats before, during, and after the trimming is advisable. For the first trimming time, take it slow and avoid any action that may scare your dog.
Step 2: Start brushing and removing the furry mess
Since your dog is calming and in a stable spot for grooming. It is time for brushing the fur to trim them off. It is among the most important steps when grooming your dog's paws. As you brush it, dealing with some messy hair seems unavoidable. Use your grooming brush and do it gently. Don't hurt your dog's paw, and that's the #1 rule.
Next, take your hair buzzer or simply the pairs of scissors prepared and remove the hair. If this is your first-time paw trimming, you don't necessarily go too short. Just keep it at a safe level since the dog's skin is pretty vulnerable.
Step 3: Cut off the nails
It is time when the nail clipper and file come into the scene. Before cutting your dog's paws, see how deep you would go first. The skin and the nails of a dog are nothing like humans. You might accidentally cut the skin and harm your puppy. It is not odd, especially when pet owners decide to trim their dog's paws at home. Pet service providers take a lot of time to do it properly, so why is the case different for pawrents?
After you have determined which part to cut off, slowly and gently trim off the nails. Then use the nail file to take care of your dog's nails. We nearly reached the finish line here!
Step 4: Use moisturizer for your dog
With all the steps done, you should use the special wax to moisturize your dog's paws. The paws are exposed to the outer environment on a daily basis, causing their pads to crack. Should the pad not get moisturized enough, the crack can become worse and gradually lead to more health issues. Therefore, don't forget to moisturize the pads.
Step 5: Treat your dog with his or her favorite snacks
Here is the last step in our guide to trimming your dog's paws at home. It is vital to treat your dog and make the experience pleasant so that he or she would not panic about the next trimming. Take the fellow down, some cuddling is appreciated, and a nice treat is advisable. Why not?
That's everything about trimming your dog's paws, and we hope this has been helpful to you!
More About Dog Grooming
It is obvious that there is much more to grooming than just trimming your dog's paws. If you are a soon-to-be pet owner, keep in mind the pads, hair coat, dental conditions, and bathing frequency. Grooming is simply about appearance and general hygiene. However, it is crucial to keep up the good work.
Also, don't forget about the products you choose for your pet, or at least know the items your chosen pet service provider uses on dogs. The dog's skin is extremely vulnerable. You might not be surprised to hear that Dermatology is popular in dogs or any furry domestic pets.
Last but not least, remember to use moisturizers for pads, and coats, as well as keep your dog hydrated. It will save you from a lot of trouble.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, the guide we provided you in the previous sections has been useful and practical. We understand that pet owners will want the best for their little buddies, and that's why we are trying to keep up our blog work. More news and instructions for dog parents are coming their way. Stay tuned to our blog and don't hesitate to contact us should there be any concern!
