How to trim your dog's nails at home
Click-click on the floor means it's time. The tools, the technique and how to avoid the quick.
In this guide
Long nails aren't just a cosmetic issue. They can change the way your dog stands and walks, make them slip on tiled floors and even curl into the pads. Regular trims keep paws healthy and comfortable.
How often?
If you can hear nails clicking on the floor, they're too long. Most dogs need a trim every three to six weeks. Dogs who walk a lot on rough roads may wear them down naturally and need fewer trims; indoor dogs usually need more.
Tools you'll need
- Dog nail clippers, either scissor-style or guillotine-style, sized for your dog
- Or a nail grinder, which files the nail down slowly
- Styptic powder (from a pet store), or plain cornflour in a pinch
- Treats, lots of them
- Good light
Know the quick
Inside each nail is the quick: a blood vessel and nerve. Cutting it hurts and bleeds.
- On white or clear nails, you can see it as a pink area. Stay well in front of it.
- On black nails, you can't see it. Trim tiny slices at a time. When the cut surface shows a small grey or pink dot in the centre, stop.
Step by step
- Get comfortable. Sit on the floor with your dog, or have them lie on their side.
- Hold a paw gently and press lightly on the pad to extend the nail.
- Trim small amounts, cutting at a slight angle, parallel to the floor.
- Treat after every nail, or after every paw at first.
- Don't forget the dewclaws, on the inner side of the leg. They don't touch the ground, so they grow long fast.
- Smooth rough edges with a file or grinder if needed.
If you cut the quick
Stay calm; it happens to everyone. Press styptic powder or cornflour onto the nail tip for a minute or two until bleeding stops. Give a treat and end the session on a calm note. If bleeding doesn't stop after several minutes, call your vet.
While you're there: paw check
- Trim the fur between the pads level with the pads.
- Check for cuts, cracks and thorns.
- Rub a little Cracked Paw Repair Balm into dry pads.
See cracked paw pads for more on pad care.
Making nail trims stress-free
- Handle your dog's paws daily, with treats, even when you're not trimming.
- Let them sniff the clippers and reward calm behaviour.
- Start puppies early. See our puppy grooming routine by age.
- If your dog panics, stop and ask your groomer or vet. Forcing it makes the next time harder.
Questions pet parents ask
How do I know if my dog's nails are too long? +
If you hear clicking on hard floors, or the nails touch the ground when your dog stands, they're too long.
What do I do if I cut my dog's nail too short? +
Press styptic powder or cornflour on the tip for a minute or two until it stops bleeding. Call your vet if it doesn't stop.
Is a nail grinder better than clippers? +
Both work. Grinders give smoother edges and make it easier to avoid the quick, but some dogs dislike the noise and vibration.
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This guide is general information for pet parents, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, injured or you're unsure, please talk to your vet.
