Claws grow back for a lifetime. Either they wear out on their own in very active dogs or they need to be trimmed regularly. Claw scissors or an electric claw grinder are suitable for cutting your dog's claws. The following points should be taken into account.
Just like our fingernails, dogs' claws grow back throughout their lives. Growth depends on age, breed and individual disposition. On average, claws need to be trimmed approximately every one to two months. However, there are also cases where this is not necessary at all or only a few times a year. There are also dogs whose claws need to be trimmed almost weekly.
In addition to the points mentioned above, it mainly depends on where and how much a dog is out and about. Extensive walks in the city can lead to the claws wearing off perfectly on the asphalt. If, on the other hand, the dog is used to carpeting at home and its walks are mainly on grass, there is virtually no natural wear and tear. The situation can be similar if a dog is out and about much less due to age or illness. Not to be left unmentioned are the so-called wolf claws, which need to be trimmed regularly as they do not wear off by themselves.
There is unmistakable evidence of when it is time to cut your dog's claws: If your dog walks across tiles or parquet flooring and it "clicks" with every step, then the claws are bumping against the floor. You can check this by having your dog stand quietly on a smooth surface. This is a good way to see if there is still a small gap between the claws and the floor. To be on the safe side, you can also try to see if you can slide a sheet of paper in between.
If not, the dog's claws should be shortened, otherwise there is a risk of health problems: claws that are too long press into the claw bed when the paws roll. This can be very painful in the long term and lead to a relieving posture. This in turn can lead to poor posture, joint pain and muscle tension. In addition, claws that are too long cause the veins and nerves in them to grow. This can mean that the dog's claws can no longer be shortened to the desired length.
Most dog owners take care of their dog's claws themselves. This requires the right tools, a certain amount of self-confidence and a dog that is willing to put up with the trimming. If you have a very restless dog at home and are unsure whether you can manage to trim the dog's claws, it is better to ask the vet or a dog groomer to do it. The costs for this are manageable. Another option is to seek help from the family, but it is often difficult to coordinate the trimming, which is why it is generally safer to do it alone or have someone else do it.
It is best to carry out the claw trimming with a relaxed dog in optimal light. Exhaust your dog a little and wait until he lies down. Prepare all the necessary utensils (including treats) and position yourself so that youhave a firm grip on a paw with onehand while you do the cutting with the other. It is important that you do not cut the claws too far, as they contain nerves and veins. With light-colored claws, these are very easy to see; with dark claws, it can be helpful to feel your way "slice by slice". Accidentally hitting a vein should be avoided at all costs, as the dog will flinch and the action may not only have to be aborted, but it could also be remembered for the future. In the case of dark claws, you should not trim more than necessary and it is better to repeat the procedure at shorter intervals.
If you can see the vein clearly, make the cut about two millimetres away from it. Position the claw pliers so that the cut is at a small angle (in the direction of growth). The upper side of the claws will then be about one millimeter longer than the lower side. During an initial check, note whether the front and rear claws need to be cut to the same extent. It may be that the back claws are more worn than the front claws and do not need trimming.
You can usually achieve very good results with an electric claw grinder, but relatively sharp edges or slight tears may remain on the claw if you use claw scissors. It makes sense to file down the claws after trimming for several reasons. On the one hand, you can prevent your dog from getting caught on a tear. Secondly, it significantly reduces the risk of scratch marks on the parquet or laminate flooring. Therefore, file each claw a little with a nail file.
It can always happen that the dog twitches at the exact moment you make the cut. And a vein is already scratched. Calm your dog down and stop the procedure for the time being. Grab a cloth and dab it on the wound. The bleeding usually stops within a few minutes. If it bleeds a little more, you can also press firmly on the claw with a absorbent cotton pad for two or three minutes. Alternatively, you can use a so-called hemostatic pen or special powder in advance. If the bleeding still does not stop, you will need to see a vet, who will probably cauterize the wound.