Many people get anxious trimming their dog’s nails. In dogs that have light or clear nails, the quick (the soft cuticle that contains the blood vessel and nerve) is easily visible. But the “quick” can be hard to see in black dog nails, making it even more stressful to trim them. Keep reading for some tips on cutting black dog nails.
Black nails are often present in dogs with black fur. Some dog breeds that commonly have black nails are Affenpinschers and Rottweilers. Other breeds that may have black nails include black Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, Newfoundland dogs, Dobermans, Pulis, Russian Terriers, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas.
Experts recommend trimming a dog’s nails every 3-4 weeks. Keep in mind that your dog’s nails may grow at a faster or slower rate and require more or less frequent trimmings. Cut your dog’s nails as soon as the nails start touching the ground when your pooch is standing.
Yes, cutting black dog nails is harder and more stressful than light or clear dog nails. As mentioned, the quick is easily visible in the latter and you are therefore less likely to cause bleeding. If trimming your dog’s black nails gives you anxiety, consider taking your pooch to a groomer.
Part of the reason it is stressful to cut black dog nails is that it is very difficult to see where the vein (quick) is. As a result, you can’t tell how far back you can clip your dog’s nails without causing bleeding.
Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to start cutting. Cut each nail by a small amount one at a time. Then go over them again to see if you can trim them back a little more. If the edge looks whitish, you’re still in the dead zone and you can trim a bit more. Once you see a dark spot, you have encountered the vein and you should stop clipping to prevent bleeding. Even if it feels like you’re not cutting enough, stop when you see the dark spot, because it means you have trimmed the nail as much as you can.
Practicing this method on one nail will give you a feel of where the vein is located. Use your index finger as a guide. Remember, the vein grows out with the nail, so the longer the nail, the closer the vein will be to the end of the nail.
The trick to cutting black dog nail’s is to go slow, hold the paw gently yet firmly, position the clipper vertically (top to bottom) rather than sideways, and trim small pieces (about 1/16th of an inch) at a time.
Don’t panic if you cut the “quick” (vein) when you’re trimming your dog’s black nails. Apply pressure and use styptic powder (Kwik Stop) to stop the bleeding. If you don’t have styptic powder on hand, you can use flour, corn starch, or baking soda on the minor cut. Cut quicks rarely require veterinary care, but don’t delay seeking professional care if the bleeding doesn’t stop in a few minutes.
If you are anxious about cutting your dog’s nails or you have an uncooperative pooch who simply hates having his nails clipped, read our tips on clipping a dog’s nails.
09 February, 2024