How to Trim Your Pet’s Nails

Trimming your pet’s nails is important to their overall health, wellness and general comfort. See below for a quick guide to nail trims, including those pesky black nails.

CAT NAILS:
When trimming your cat’s nails, it is important to hold your cat firmly but gently; wrapping them in a towel can be very helpful.

Using cat nail trimmers, trim just the tip of the nail in one, swift motion. Take breaks between feet if needed. It is best to trim your cat’s nails with frequent, monthly trims rather than accidently cutting the ‘quick’ too short due to nail overgrowth. Give your kitty a special treat to reward him/her and teach them to associate a treat with their nail trim!

DOG NAILS:
When trimming your dog’s nails, it is important to hold your pet’s foot firmly but gently.

Using appropriate dog nail trimmers, trim just the tip of the nail in one, swift motion. Take breaks between feet if needed. It is best to trim your dog’s nails with frequent, monthly trims rather than accidently cutting the ‘quick’ too short due to nail overgrowth. Give your pet a special treat to reward him/her and teach them to associate a treat with their nail trim! Walking your dog on concrete often is a natural way to file down nails for less frequent trims.

BUNNY NAILS:
When trimming your bunny’s nails, it is important to hold your bunny firmly but gently; wrapping them in a towel can be very helpful.

Using rabbit/cat nail trimmers, trim just the tip of the nail in one, swift motion. Take breaks between feet if needed. It is best to trim your bunny’s nails with frequent, monthly trims rather than accidently cutting the ‘quick’ too short due to nail overgrowth. A general rule of thumb (except for Rex Rabbits), is to trim the nail the same length as the fur. Some rabbits have very sensitive quicks and this makes clipping painful and increases struggling. For these rabbits, lightly close the clippers on the area you wish to cut and if the rabbit reacts, choose a spot a little farther down. Give your bunny a special treat to reward him/her and teach them to associate a treat with their nail trim!

BLACK NAILS:
When trimming black nails, it is important to hold your pet’s foot firmly but gently.

Using appropriate dog or cat nail trimmers, trim just the tip of the nail in one, swift motion. It can be hard to see the ‘quick’ of dark nails; we recommend making several tiny trims before you see the gray oval in the middle of the nail that is the ‘quick’. When you see this oval, you shouldn’t trim anymore. Cut the same amount as from the first nail on the rest of the nails to successfully cut all of the black nails the same length.  Take breaks between feet if needed. It is best to trim your dog’s nails with frequent, monthly trims rather than accidently cutting the ‘quick’ too short due to nail overgrowth. Give your pet a special treat to reward him/her and teach them to associate a treat with their nail trim! Walking your pet on concrete often is a natural way to file down nails for less frequent trims.