A solid pet-grooming routine involves more than simply bathing and brushing your pet. The nails and claws of your pets need to be clipped regularly. Trimmed nails are a sign of your pet’s health and good hygiene. If you don’t feel comfortable clipping the nails yourself, you can always take them to the vet's office or a professional groomer, but nail trimming is a simple procedure if done correctly.

Nail trimming can cause anxiety for pets, so it is recommended that owners handle their pet’s feet and also trim their nails from a young age, so they get used to the process. 

Here, your trusted mobile grooming experts in NYC  will share a quick guide on how you should clip your beloved furry friend's nails:

How Often Should Pet’s Nails Be Clipped?

In general, a pet’s nails should be trimmed every two to three weeks. If a dog or cat never goes outdoors, nails may only need to be clipped every four to six weeks to avoid the risk of overgrowth. Ask your vet for advice on trimming frequency based on the health of your pet’s nails and the frequency of their exercise.

What Happens If You Don’t Trim Your Pet’s Nails?

Long nails may get lodged in the pad of the foot and cause injury to the pet. Painful ingrown nails may result from long nails, which can cause infection. They may also cause behavioral problems, as pets may be uncomfortable walking, leading to more unwanted behavior. Lastly, long nails make it difficult for your pet to walk and grasp things.

How to Correctly Trim Your Pet’s Nails

1. Your pet should be relaxed and comfortable. Take a seat on the floor or a chair with your pet. Take one foot at a time into your lap, and support your pet’s weight with your other hand.

2. Take a close look at your pet’s nails. The quick is the nail area that contains nerves and blood vessels. You should never trim your pet’s nails so short. There are three parts of the pet’s nail:

The curved portion closest to the toes is called the tip.

The curved portion of the middle part is called the hook.

The blunt part closest to the paw is called the heel.

3. Gently grasp your pet’s toenail and hold it at a 90-degree angle. You will want to trim the end you are holding at a 45-degree angle. To trim the hook, hold the nail at a 45-degree angle.

4. Take a nail clipper and separate the scissors.

5. Clamp the opening of the clipper over the end of the nail to be trimmed.

6. Take the clipper and cut straight across the nail. If you are trimming your pet’s nails for the first time, cut just a bit off at a time. Keep trimming small amounts off until you reach the desired length.

7. When you are done trimming, put the clipper in your hand and cut the nail from the other side of the nail. This will clean up the nail and make a sharp cut.

8. Next, take your pet’s nail and make sure that it is smooth and not rough. If it is rough, you can smooth it out with an emery board. Be careful not to cut too much off because you don’t want to cut the quick, or you will have to start again.

After you have finished trimming your pet’s nails, don’t forget to praise your pet for being so brave. You can also give them a treat as a reward.

Conclusion

As you can see, nail trimming is a very simple task if you know what to do. It requires a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to stop. If you are unsure about any part of the process, bring your pet to the vet or your trusted groomer to be checked out. They will be able to trim your pet’s nails for you and will be able to show you how to do it correctly in the future. You can also choose to book with a mobile grooming service with a solid reputation.

The Ruff Life Mobile Salon & Spa is a trusted team offering pet grooming on wheels in New York. We are here to take care of all your pet grooming needs. Whether your furry friends need bathing, a haircut, or nail clipping,