cutting your dogs nails?

i dont get my dogs nails cut. i tried it a few times when he was a puppy but it seemed to hurt him. obv i was doing it wrong. but now he's 6 and he hasnt had them cut. is it something that absolutely needs to be done? his vet has never mentioned it.

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

Does your dog spend a lot of time outside on concrete? That helps file the nails down a lot so maybe he doesn't need it.

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

Like the PP said, if your dogs nails are already short from being outside walking on concrete alot, then no. But if your dog's nails are overgrown, then yes they need to be cut.

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

I very regularly cut my dogs nails but I agree about the concrete. BTW...it does not hurt them at all unless you hit the quick.

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

I don't do it myself, all my dog's nails are very dark and I can't see clearly where the quick is and I am terrified to cut it. I have them cut at the vet or at the groomer.

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

i also agree that the concrete does help...they also sell pedi paws (a dremmel) that is supposed to work better than regular cutting because it will let you slowly cut the nail and this way if you hit the vein, you could stop as opposed to using the cutters where you may actually cut the vein which is worse!
i would def. get your pups nails cut--it def. has to feel better for them!

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

He isnt on the concrete all day but he gets two long walks a day and the weekends he's ususally in my moms backyard which has concrete as well. Is that enough? His nails never seemed to be an issue except that when he jumps on someone with bare legs, he can scratch them. If I cut his nails, will that prevent scratching?

Re: cutting your dogs nails?

My dogs scratch us to no end so I cut their nails then file them. One pup hates hates hates the pedi paws the other one, does but not as much

Message edited 10/6/2010 4:37:49 PM.