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March 11, 2021 | 5 min read
If you're a pet parent with an aversion to trimming nails, you're not alone! Many people are so reluctant they outsource a groomer or vet. This is fine if you're in a position to make (and pay for) appointments as often as your dog needs her nails trimmed.
However, what often happens is that too much time passes between appointments and nails get uncomfortably long. This can cause injury to the paw. You'd be surprised by how many dogs end up at the vet with paw pain and other problems, which could have been prevented with regular nail trims.
There are several other advantages to learning to trim your dog's nails at home:
Keeping your dog's nails trimmed doesn't have to be a chore, even when you've had a bad experience in the past!
Pets who've developed a phobia about nail trims will require extra time and TLC, but with patience and a pup-friendly approach most dogs can become accustomed to regular nail trims.
Although nail clippers can be effective, there is a risk of cutting the quick if your dog makes sudden movements. Clipped nails also have straight edges which tend to damage furniture and wooden floors. If this is something you are concerned about, you probably want to look into getting an electric nail file.
Electric nail files give you more control and eliminate the risk of cutting the quick. They also allow you to trim nails round and smooth.
I personally own and recommend PawPal's nail trimmer (see bottom of page) and I have used it for many years with no regrets. It has a silent motor, which is great for anxious dogs as the low noise will not startle them. It comes with a 60-day risk-free trial and 1 year warranty. For more info, click here.
Most dogs are uncomfortable with their human "holding hands" with them, which is also the reason they object to having their paws held during nail trims.
Dogs' paw pads are loaded with nerve receptors that help protect them when they walk and run. These receptors also make their paws more sensitive to handling than other parts of their body.
The last thing you want to do is hold your pet down or with an overly firm grip, this can increase the fear level, which can lead to a fight-or-flight response.
Incorporate paw touches into petting. Do this by stroking the head and body then working your way to the paws. If the only time you touch your dog's feet is to trim her nails, she will immediately know what's coming when you touch her paws.
Another thing to keep in mind is not to rush, you can always go back and take a bit more off but you can't erase the pain memory if you cut one too close.
If you create a painful experience for your dog during nail trims, she'll forever associate trimming with pain.
I recommend the use of food treats, soothing speech and cuddles to create positivity around nail trims.
Also, to start off, only trim one nail a day. Especially if your dog has a very low stress tolerance threshold.
Instead of trying to "get it over with", by doing one nail each day trimming can become a quick and relatively pleasant daily experience for you both and neither of you will become "stressed out!".
Regular nail trims are very important! Unlike human nails, the longer you leave dog nails untrimmed the longer the vein inside the nail will grow - making it difficult to keep the nails short. To avoid this from happening it is recommended to trim the nails every couple of weeks, and keep the quick (and nails) nice and short!
Many dogs have dark nails, which are especially tricky because you can't see the pinkish quick, which is the blood vessel inside the nail that nourishes it.
Shine a small flashlight or penlight on dark nails so you can see the quick, which should appear like a black bullseye in the center of the nail from the front view vs guessing how close you are to it.
Please avoid the quick. In fact, don't even get close to it. You only want to trim the white or dark ends of each nail.
A traditional cut just takes off the bottom of the nail. The alternative cut line (ACL) removes the outer layers above the quick as well. The orange line demonstrates the traditional line that nails are trimmed, while the blue line is the ACL. When the lines are drawn on the same picture, you can see how much more nail is able to be trimmed before reaching the quick. The trim should be at an angle. This way more of the quick is exposed to air, causing it to recede faster. So, don't forget the alternative cut line when doing nail trims!
Do very small trims — even if it is a half dozen or more each nail — until you can see the quick inside the nail.
If the quick (blood supply to the nail) is long, trimming once a week will help the quick recede faster.
If you hit the quick of your dog's nail, the amount of blood that tiny wound produces can be impressive. You might panic and so might your dog!
If "heaven forbid" you trim into the quick and draw blood, have some styptic powder (or cinnamon powder) on hand - you can even use a teabag if you have nothing else!
Apply the powder to the wound with a wet Q-tip and hold it right up against the cut nail to stop the bleeding.
Due to the gentle nature of our trimmers you should never need to do this, especially if you follow our trimming advice but please have some on hand just in case, to avoid any possible panic.
*My favorite herb to stop bleeding is cinnamon powder. Gently apply cinnamon to a wound and it will stop bleeding quickly! But for a mixture that will help to kill germs and stop bleeding, please refer to our blog section on, how to make your own 100% natural styptic powder.
Happy trimming!🐶🌻
This quiet but powerful nail grinder makes nail trimming safe, quick and hassle-free
It's time to say goodbye to stressful nail clippers and lengthy vet appointments. PawPal™ turns the ordeal of nail care into an easy experience.
The low noise and vibration motor will reduce dog startle, making it easy for you to get the job done. It's the perfect tool for those with anxious pets!
In a survey based on 157 customers:
Our 20,000+ happy customers speak for themselves:
Prep: Clean your dog's paws and nails and make sure they're dry.
Step 1: Introduce The Grinder (required for first time use only)
Accustom your dog to the nail grinder by turning it on and placing it in your dog's presence so that they can sniff it and identify it as harmless.
Step 2: Grind
Select the appropriate head port based on your dog's nail size or remove the black guard over the grinding stone for greater flexibility.
Start grinding the nail at a 45 degree angle starting at the bottom and rounding the nail off at the top. Grind in 5 second intervals to avoid heat build-up and continue grinding until you've achieved the desired results. Have a cloth handy to wipe off the nail.
Step 3: Reward
Reward your dog with cuddles, praise, and treats so that your dog can associate this as a positive experience.
Tips:
1x PawPal nail grinder with built-in flashlight
1x Grinder head
1x USB charging cable
1x Device manual
+ Free shipping
+ 1 year warranty
+ 60-day risk free trial
We offer free insured shipping on orders over $40. All orders are prepared and shipped within 2 business days. US orders are shipped via USPS and the current delivery time is 5-9 business days. Depending on your location, you may receive your package earlier. All orders are shipped with a tracking number so you can track it every step of the way!
We also ship worldwide:
Here are the estimated delivery times (in business days):
Try our nail grinder for 60 days and if you or your dog are not completely in love with it, contact our friendly customer support and we'll send you a free return label along with your full refund.
Trimming your dog's nails is not only for cosmetic purposes. Long nails that touch the ground put pressure on the foot and leg structure risking deformity. They can also cause intense pain, infection and even impede your dog's ability to walk.
Veterinarians recommend frequent trimming to:
✅ Keep your dog healthy & happy
✅ Stop intense pain & injury
✅ Prevent infection
✅ Prevent painful scratches
With the built-in flashlight locating the quick in dark nails is made easy. Simply shine the light on the nail, illuminate the quick and feel at ease knowing where to stop trimming!
Traditional nail clippers risk cutting the quick, causing serious pain and injury. An electric nail trimmer provides better control eliminating the risk of overcutting.
The sharp edges of clipped nails may cause scratch wounds and damage to your furniture, but with an electric nail file they can be trimmed round and smooth to prevent this.
PawPal™ nail trimmer outperforms other models on many levels. It has a significantly lower noise level that does not startle dogs. It also features a diamond bit head, longer operating time, 3 size settings and ultra low vibration making it suitable for sensitive dogs. See table for a full comparison.
I have never used an electric nail trimmer before. Where do I start?
You can view our simple instructions here.
How quickly can I trim both paws?
In approximately 5 minutes.
My dog has black nails, how do I know when to stop trimming?
We discuss trimming black nails in our blog.
What charger does it use?
Our trimmer comes with a micro-USB charging cable identical to that of most phones, cameras and other everyday devices.
How often does the grinder head need to be replaced?
The replaceable trimmer head lasts one year on average. You can purchase extra replaceable heads using this link.
All orders are prepared and shipped within 1-3 business days. Current delivery times are 5-9 business days. Depending on your location, you may receive your trimmer earlier. All orders are shipped with a tracking number so you can track it every step of the way!
Try PawPal™ completely risk free for 60 days. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, simply contact our helpful customer support within 60 days of receiving your order and we’ll refund you, no questions asked!
