Cutting claws on dog in 3 steps

As soon as the claw scissors are ready, your darling hides under the sofa. Could such a scenario also happen to you? No need to worry! In this article, you'll learn how to quickly and efficiently trim your pet's claws, which are often perceived as a nuisance. Because paw care not only includes cleaning the pads and shortening the fur, but also shortening the dog's claws every 3-5 weeks.

The claws of your dog

These are possible causes of increased claw growth:

• Rich food: Zinc and calcium promote horn growth. Some feeds may contain higher doses of these nutrients.

• Lack of exercise: Especially old and sick dogs do not wear out their claws due to low activity.
• Soft surfaces: Especially the very soft forest soils and dirt roads offer only insufficient abrasion possibilities.
  

This is how you can tell that your four-legged friend's claws are too long:

• Clacking: As soon as your dog's claws touch the ground, a "clacking" sound is produced.

• Lameness: Too long claws are pressed into the claw bed when the paw pads roll. Since this can be uncomfortable and even painful for your dog, he adopts a relieving posture and his gait becomes stiffer and lame.

• Inclined position: Possibly your quadruped puts his paws in an oblique position.

The dew claw on the dog

The Dewclaw is the metatarsal bone on the hind legs above the paw. This fifth toe never touches the ground and has no important function. The wolf's claw is not present in all dogs due to evolution and is developed individually depending on the breed. Dog breeds with a developed Dewclaw include Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Malinois.

The most important information about the wolf's claw for you at a glance:

• Origin: Contrary to what the name suggests, the fifth claw on the hind leg does not have its origin in the wolf, but from prehistorically related ancestors who lived far before the wolf.

• Risk of the dew claw: Risk of the wolf claw: The dewclaw grows sickle shaped. If it is not regularly trimmed, it may grow through the skin into your dog's flesh, causing painful inflammation at worst. In addition, the long claw can get caught in branches and even tear out while romping among shrubs and in woods.

• Remove wolf claw: Remove wolf claw: The removal of the wolf claw is generally not allowed! However, exceptions apply: If your dog injures itself, the claw tears in or even off, or purulent infection and tumors form on the anal claw, the wolf's claw may be removed. However, the amputation may only be performed surgically by a veterinarian.

Claw care: The Right Tools

You can cut dog claws quickly and easily with the right tool. Avoid the use of commercial nail scissors or nail clippers. This will prevent injuries from bruising.

• Claw scissors / Claw clippers: Special scissors and pliers have a round cutting surface. This should be adapted to the size of the dog's paw.

• Claw trimmer / claw grinder (alternative to claw scissors): The electronic machines are particularly suitable for small animals and are also popular for very anxious dogs.

• Claw file: The file is ideal for removing horn residues and rounding off edges. Alternatively, you can use a conventional nail file.

• Flashlight (optional): If the available light source is not enough, at best use a headlamp or flashlight to see enough when shortening.

Cut claws: Shorten correctly in 3 steps

Proper clipping of claws is not difficult, but requires a little practice, a steady hand and some skill.

This is how it works:

1. Relax: Set up a comfortable spot and create a calm atmosphere by petting.
2. Clipping: Take the paw of your dog in your left hand (left-handed people in the right hand) and slightly spread the claw to be cut. Now place the claw nippers/claw scissors horizontally at the tip of the claw and cut thin slices from the nail in small steps - millimeter by millimeter. The blood vessels and nerves in front of the claw bed must not be hit and injured, otherwise bleeding will occur and your pet will be in pain. Although you can easily see the ends of the vessels in light-coloured claws, we recommend not to cut off too much at once.
   
3. file: Finally, smooth protruding edges and corners with the claw file.

Claw grinder as an alternative for small breeds of dogs

The delicate claws of small dogs you can just as well grind instead of resorting to the claw scissors. This method has advantages, for example

• Habit: Your dog will quickly get used to the constant noise and slight vibration on the horn.

• Protection: The grinding motion prevents splinters and edges.

• Saves time: Grinding combines shortening and filing of the claws.

A special device on some claw grinders provides additional support. For example, the size of the trimming surface is adapted to the claw, which limits the range of movement and prevents the claw from slipping off.

Caution: The nerves and blood vessels can also be injured with a grinder. Therefore, proceed very carefully here as well.