How to cut your dog's nails safely at home

Nail care is a small part of looking after a dog, but it matters. Nails that grow too long can snag, split or even grow into the paw. The good news is that many dogs never need a trim, and those that do can learn to accept it calmly. This guide explains how to check, how to trim safely and when to get help.

Does my dog need their nails cut?

Dogs Trust says many dogs never need their nails clipped. Whether yours does depends on:

• their weight, breed or type
• how much exercise they get
• whether they walk mostly on hard ground, such as pavements, or soft ground, such as grass
• whether they have dew claws

Some daily walking on pavements can be enough to keep nails short. Small, light dogs may not be heavy enough to wear their nails down. Older dogs who move around less may need more nail checks too.

Signs the nails are too long

• The nail tip tapers to a thin point and starts to curve.
• Nails catch on rugs, bedding or clothing.
• When you hold your dog's paw flat on your palm, the nails touch your hand.
• Your dog licks or chews at their paws.

Hearing nails click on a hard floor is a common worry, but Dogs Trust says it doesn't necessarily mean they are too long. If the nails touch the ground gently and look worn flat, they are wearing down naturally. Dogs Trust suggests checking your dog's nails every couple of weeks. If you're not sure, ask your vet.

What you need

• Dog nail clippers. PDSA advises never using scissors or human nail clippers, which can squash the nail and make it split.
• A nail grinder or file (optional). This can suit nervous dogs, but grinders are noisy, so introduce one slowly.
• Tasty treats or a lick mat. These help your dog link paw handling with good things.
• A non-slip surface. A towel or bath mat helps your dog feel steady.
• Styptic powder or cornflour. This helps stop bleeding if you cut too short.

Getting your dog used to nail trims

Rushing is the main reason dogs come to dread nail trims. Dogs Trust suggests building up over a couple of weeks or longer:

1. Handle your dog's paws for a moment, then give a treat. Repeat several times a day.
2. Let your dog sniff the clippers, with treats scattered around them.
3. Touch the clippers to a nail, then reward.
4. Squeeze the clippers near the nail so your dog hears the sound. Snipping dried pasta can copy the noise.
5. Trim the tip of just one nail, reward, and stop there for the day.

If your dog looks worried at any point, stop and go back to the last step they were happy with. Blue Cross notes you don't need to do every nail in one sitting.

How to cut your dog's nails step by step

1. Wait until your dog is calm and relaxed.
2. Hold the paw gently but firmly. Flexing the pads slightly can make the nail easier to see.
3. Find the quick. In light nails, it shows as a pink area inside the nail.
4. Trim only the tip. Cut a few millimetres away from the quick. PDSA suggests leaving about 3 to 4mm.
5. Check before cutting more. Dogs Trust suggests a gentle squeeze before each cut. If your dog pulls away or yelps, the quick is too close, so move the clippers nearer the tip.
6. Treat each nail separately. They won't all need the same amount taken off.
7. Check the dew claws. These sit higher up on the inside of the leg. Some dogs have them on the back legs too.
8. Reward your dog during and after the trim.

Dark or black nails

You can't see the quick in dark nails. Dogs Trust advises snipping off only the very sharp point, and suggests shining a torch through the nail to help. PDSA suggests judging the length from a similar light-coloured nail if your dog has one. If every nail is dark, Blue Cross says it's safer to ask a vet or vet nurse to do it.

Overgrown nails

When a nail has been long for a while, the quick grows longer too, so cutting it short in one go can hurt. Dogs Trust suggests trimming a tiny amount, waiting about a week for the quick to draw back, then repeating over several weeks.

What to do if your dog's nail bleeds

Stay calm, as your dog will pick up on your stress. PDSA suggests dipping the nail in cornflour or holding cotton wool on it until it stops bleeding. A styptic pencil or powder works too. If the bleeding doesn't stop, call your vet for advice. Nails can bleed a lot, but PDSA says this is unlikely to harm a healthy dog.

When to see a vet

Contact your vet if a nail has grown into the pad, looks infected, is broken, or if your dog's toes are being pushed out of shape. Dogs Trust explains that ingrown nails are very painful, and a vet may need to sedate your dog to treat them. Long nails can also hide problems such as arthritis and affect how your dog moves.