Although it is not always easy to trim our pets’ nails, it is a vital part of our dogs’ and cats’ quality of life and health. When nails become too long, this can cause discomfort and changes in walking behaviors in dogs and cats. Long nails can also be more likely to break or cause injury. We recommend trying to acclimate our pets to nail trims and paw touching while they are young. This training can include playing with their paws, allowing them to scent the nail clippers, or associating the sounds of clippers or dremel tools with positive things such as treats. There are also many different tools to trim our pet’s nails. Dremel tools or filing boards can be helpful if dogs become nervous with traditional clippers as they do not put as much pressure on the quick or sensitive part of the nail. These tools can also help to decrease the sharp edges of the nail and improve the comfort of their human companions as well! For cats, scratching posts can also be beneficial to help reduce the length of their nails. For cats that often scratch inappropriate objects, such as couches or curtains, nail caps are available that can be applied by veterinary staff or at home.
Even with the best training, some dogs and cats may not cooperate with nail trimming at home. If you are having difficulty trimming your pet’s nails, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Our experienced technicians can give you more advice or set up an appointment to help demonstrate techniques for trimming your pet’s nails at home.
