For me, it's 50/50. One of my fur kids is quite reasonable about nail trims. Though he doesn't love it, he stays still long enough for me to get the job done. I have to say that for a cat, Bogey can sometimes be quite cooperative.
Then there's my Indy boy. He goes to the groomer about every two months. Nail trims are included. It would seem that all should be well until I really examined his tootsies after his last trip to the groomer.
Holy digger daggers! No wonder he's been click-clacking on the linoleum. I called the groomer.
"Um...did you forget to trim Indy's nails?"
The reply surprised me. Apparently they only take off a smidgen of the nail and the time in between grooms couldn't possibly keep up with Indy's nail growth. Of course, I should have noticed it before now, but black nails and black fur tend to blend together in true camoflauge style.
Indy's not cooperative with nail trims. He definitely requires more than one pair of hands to get the job done. Making things even trickier, as dog nails grow, so does the quick. Dark nails mean it's impossible to locate how far the quick extends into the nail. If you've ever ripped your fingernail deeply, the sharp throbbing pain convinces you to never let it happen again. Ditto for cutting into an animal's quick.
To solve the problem, Indy's now on a new schedule. Every 3 weeks or so, he'll return to the groomer so we can get his nails under control. While we're at it, I may even add a foot soak, pad smoothing, and toe massage.
Like it or not, that dog will soon have the best pedicure in town.
16 comments:
Great advice. My groomers used to take only tiny amounts off, too, and it's especially hard on older dogs to have really long nails!
My mom Files my nails... I am NOT a fan of the clipper thingys.
I let the vet do it. I hurt my first dog by trimming a nail too far once, and can't bear the idea of doing that again.
we don't need trims to often. Its the sidewalks job
Benny & Lily
I've never tried cutting any of my doggie's nails...too afraid I'd cut them. And right now, Vern's are way too long! I've had my vet do that before, with Tiger, so I think I'll make an appt. there!
yikes! Sounds like good advice. I hold still for Dad, but not for mom.
I don't let my Mommy trim my nails period! She tried nail clippers and even bought one of those battery operated nail trimmers that are supposed to just file the nails down. I don't let her touch me with either of those! So, mommy lets the vet or groomers take care of my nails.
Wow, that sounds nice. My mama trims my nails every two weeks to keep that nasty quick in its place...but then I only have one black nail so it makes it ever so much easier for her not to nick me.
When I was a dog handler in the Air Force, our vet said he could tell we were not walking our post/patrol all night if our partner's nails were too long.
Like Benny and Lily said...walk more on paved surfaces.
Thanks for reminding everyone of this duty as a pet owner.
madx2
I'm lucky that Alanis' nails seem to wear down during out walks. Miro must have harder nails because I have to trim his. Every couple of weeks, I take a little off. A miserable process!
i used to work for a vet and we would occasionally have to cut most of some dogs' nails off and cauterize the quicks. this usually happened becuz the owners had hardwood floors they didn't want scratched. yeah.
i learned that if you cut their nails often, not even that much but often, the nail tends to shrink a little with each trim, but you have to do it weekly.
As long as there are treats involved, you can do just about anything to me ;) Well within reason that is :D
Good luck on the pawdicure Indy! Make sure they bribe ya first pal ;)
Waggin at ya,
Roo
Bella won't let me trim them (I've tried) - so we make regular trips to the vet's office instead.
I'm 50/50 too. One of my dogs is no trouble and the other one who is bigger and also has black nails - I take to the vets. It takes three of us and we usually end up covered in black hair. Now my dogs are older I don't walk them very much, their exercise is in the back yard.
Ann
Okay, I had no idea you are to trim a cat's nails, really? Looks like Indy is in for a treat!
Lady's nails are a perpetual problem despite regular grooming and clips! And speaking of that, I only get a monthly facial and haircut, and she gets the works! Go figure how she rates all that!
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