Clipping Nails

[Baby Dragon]

I'm not quite sure where the quick is on my dog's nails... his nails are a tan/skin colour and it's hard to see where the quick starts...

They are getting quite long though.

Last time I clipped them I took the teeniest bit off the ends because I just wasn't sure.

Is there a trick to knowing how far down to clip?

Edited October 6, 2010 by Baby Dragon

[ncarter]

im not too sure but I use the pad as a guide and cut about 3 or 4mm above the level of the pad.

[The Spotted Devil]

I tend to clip Zig's nails when the sun is streaming in the window - perfect light to show up the quick....his claws are rather light in colour. Plus he's all dopey from snoozing in the sun so is nice and relaxed

[sigzephyr]

I use a dremel and just take a little bit off at a time until i see the "core" of the nail change consistency.

Dremelling regularly helps the quick to recede as well.

Here is a link:

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html

[Poodle wrangler]

I dremel, too. Oscar's nails are black.

Even if you go a little too far with a dremel, it bleeds only a tiny bit vs. a lot more with clippers.

Ozito is another brand of the same tool. If you go to the hardware shop, ask for a "rotary tool". MAke sure you buy the fine sandpaper bands or you get a really rough result.

Edited November 14, 2007 by Poodle wrangler

[Baby Dragon]

Thank you.. and thank you for the link!

Do the dogs tollerate it ok, and how long does it take to do a nail?

[pie]

I am lucky that Kyzer has very light nails, I can see the quicks in all but two of his claws which are black.

I've been meaning to get a Dremel for ages, thanks for the reminder.

ETA: Blossom - forgot to say - if you haven't already, read the link sigzephyr posted, there is a link on the left side of the page to "how to dremel nails" it has thorough instructions how to introduce the dremel properly so that the dogs don't mind it, also pictures of how to do it. It's very helpful. :p

Edited November 15, 2007 by amypie

[BC]

With black/dark nails, clip small bits off at a time. Look under the nails where you have clipped, and when you see a very fine white calcium ring, stop there.

[Baby Dragon]

Thanks guys :p

[jillybean]

Approximately how much would a Dremel cost?

[sigzephyr]

The one I have is not a Dremel brand.

I got it from my local hardware store. It is called a mini hobby engraver. A wood working tool really. It is cordless and has about 50 different attachments.

As i use it for nails I have only ever used the sanding drums.

I have had it for the last 4 years and I will pay the extra money to get a Dremel next time as they have different speed settings, but this one has been fine.

I think it cost about $25.

[Poodle wrangler]

Hobby engravers are probably good for smaller breeds, but I find I need a higher power setting on a 25kg dog vs. an 8 kg one.

My Dremel was on sale for about $80, cordless. A packet of sanding bands is about $8 (lasts about 6 months).

Other brands like Ozito are cheaper and I think they're probably more reliable. Dremel's American, made in Mexico.

[Mizzi]

I use a dremel and just take a little bit off at a time until i see the "core" of the nail change consistency.

Dremelling regularly helps the quick to recede as well.

Here is a link:

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html

This is an excellent link sigzephyr!

'Must Get' list:

1 Dremel

2 (or possibly 4) Springers for bike riding - what a great idea.

[jaegertheweim]

Jaeger has his nails dremeled.. he doesn't seem to mind it, especially if it's done while he's half asleep

[PAX]

Check this out, even has videos attached.

http://www.petgadgets.com/quickfinder/

[Baby Dragon]

Thanks for the pic kathyinjapan... Jaeger is too cute... he looks like he doesn't mind at all

And PAX thanks for the link... that was interesting reading, I wonder if it will come out in Australia.

Will it hurt him badly if I accidentally cut/dremel too far?

He HATES it when I cut his nails, even though I only ever take off the teeniest little bit and have never made him bleed. He pulls his paws away from me and tries to get away. I'm wondering if before I got him he might have had his nails clipped and been hurt or something.

Edited November 25, 2007 by Blossom

[PAX]

Some dogs just don't like it and some never seem to mind.

If you clip them to far and make them bleed it will hurt.

The dremmel will not make them bleed but you shouldn't dremmel a nail for more than three seconds as the speed of the dremmel makes the nail get hot. It is good to have a go on your own feet so you know how long until it heats up and what it feels like. I also hold the nail so that there is lass vibration.