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Manicures Are For Pets, Too!
07 Jul 2010 17:01 #1
by The Groomer Girl
Manicures Are For Pets, Too! was created by The Groomer Girl
Manicures Are For Pets, Too!
As a pet groomer, one of the things that I see most often neglected on a dog or cat are the toenails. This easily forgotten part of pet maintenance can be a pain for both you and your pet - literally.
Unclipped toenails can cause many difficulties for a dog. It can cause them to have a difficult time walking, can systematically destroy hardwood floors, and due to the nails' spiral-type growth, can even in extreme cases grow back into the flesh of the dog, if not clipped back. Dewclaws (the dog's "thumbnails") are most often neglected and are prone to overgrowth.
Cats also benefit from nail trims. It can make playtime less painful for the human involved (less scratching!), can make it difficult for Kitty to scratch your favorite leather armchair, and in time, when frequently clipped, cat nails become more "dog-like" - thicker and less damaging to people and surfaces.
Many people ask when you know your cat or dog is ready for a trim. With dogs, it's quite simple - if you hear clicking when Fifi walks on a hard surface, it's time for a trim. With Kitty, I would say it's time when you notice she's destroying your furniture again.
If you would like to trim your own pet's nails, be sure you learn how to do it first. There is a blood vessel in every nail called the "quick. " If you cut too far into the toenail, you will sever this vessel and cause a sharp pain and bleeding. If this occurs, you can either use styptic powder that you can buy at most pet stores, or you can use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. Just pinch a little and press it onto the nail for a few seconds.
Your local groomer should be happy to offer a toenail trimming service. Some prefer that you call ahead, but many will do it as a quick walk-in type service, and most groomers include it with a full-service grooming. Having it done when your pet is groomed every 4-8 weeks keeps you and your pet happy and worry - free (as far as their nails go, anyway).
If you don't have your pet's nails trimmed very often (with 8 weeks or more between trims), don't be surprised if your groomer can't trim them as short as you would like. Many pets' quicks grow quite long when not frequently trimmed. If you want them shorter, you will have to get them trimmed every 2 weeks or so for a while, so the quick can be slowly nipped down to a shorter length.
As with most things in pet care, getting into a schedule is the easiest way to maintain the nails of your furry friend. So if Fifi is toenail-skating on your hardwood floors at 80 miles per hour, or Kitty is punching holes in your arm with her claws, it's probably a good idea to go visit your local groomer.
The Groomer Girl is a dog and cat groomer with experience in dog breeds, dog grooming, cat grooming and dog and cat training. Feel free to ask questions and she will continue to post articles. Some of her favorite websites are akc.org and humanesociety.org
As a pet groomer, one of the things that I see most often neglected on a dog or cat are the toenails. This easily forgotten part of pet maintenance can be a pain for both you and your pet - literally.
Unclipped toenails can cause many difficulties for a dog. It can cause them to have a difficult time walking, can systematically destroy hardwood floors, and due to the nails' spiral-type growth, can even in extreme cases grow back into the flesh of the dog, if not clipped back. Dewclaws (the dog's "thumbnails") are most often neglected and are prone to overgrowth.
Cats also benefit from nail trims. It can make playtime less painful for the human involved (less scratching!), can make it difficult for Kitty to scratch your favorite leather armchair, and in time, when frequently clipped, cat nails become more "dog-like" - thicker and less damaging to people and surfaces.
Many people ask when you know your cat or dog is ready for a trim. With dogs, it's quite simple - if you hear clicking when Fifi walks on a hard surface, it's time for a trim. With Kitty, I would say it's time when you notice she's destroying your furniture again.
If you would like to trim your own pet's nails, be sure you learn how to do it first. There is a blood vessel in every nail called the "quick. " If you cut too far into the toenail, you will sever this vessel and cause a sharp pain and bleeding. If this occurs, you can either use styptic powder that you can buy at most pet stores, or you can use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. Just pinch a little and press it onto the nail for a few seconds.
Your local groomer should be happy to offer a toenail trimming service. Some prefer that you call ahead, but many will do it as a quick walk-in type service, and most groomers include it with a full-service grooming. Having it done when your pet is groomed every 4-8 weeks keeps you and your pet happy and worry - free (as far as their nails go, anyway).
If you don't have your pet's nails trimmed very often (with 8 weeks or more between trims), don't be surprised if your groomer can't trim them as short as you would like. Many pets' quicks grow quite long when not frequently trimmed. If you want them shorter, you will have to get them trimmed every 2 weeks or so for a while, so the quick can be slowly nipped down to a shorter length.
As with most things in pet care, getting into a schedule is the easiest way to maintain the nails of your furry friend. So if Fifi is toenail-skating on your hardwood floors at 80 miles per hour, or Kitty is punching holes in your arm with her claws, it's probably a good idea to go visit your local groomer.
The Groomer Girl is a dog and cat groomer with experience in dog breeds, dog grooming, cat grooming and dog and cat training. Feel free to ask questions and she will continue to post articles. Some of her favorite websites are akc.org and humanesociety.org
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