How do your pets handle you cutting their nails?

[kval07]

I finally got sick of taking Chester and Roscoe to get their nails cut at $20-25 a pop, twice a month. I read some reviews and bought some nail clippers at Petco. I really like them and they work great.

I have used them a few times on both dogs, and they are such wussies, I swear. I should know better because they whine and cry when anyone cuts their nails.

They both squirm and no amount of coaxing or bribing is working. I got about 8 of Chester's nails yesterday. Took about 15 minutes though. Roscoe I'm lucky if I can get two a day.

I play with their feet all the time and they willingly "shake" for treats, so they are no stranger to touchy feely time with their feet. I've also tried to cut their nails while they are sleeping, but that's a no go too.

What do you do to make this easier for your dogs? They are no stranger to nail clipping, and they've never had any boo boos before, so I don't know what the deal is. Those little buggers are on their way to having talons if I can't get their nails cut soon!

I've seen that calming/relaxing spray or whatever that junk is at the store. And normally I think that stuff is whack, but I'm seriously debating trying it just so I can do their nails, lol.

Any advice/help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[navybrat]

Where are you trying to do their nails at Kval? That can make a BIG difference.

[manders13]

I was told using clippers is harmful and your causing your animal pain. I use the pedi paw and LOVE it. I use it on all the cats and dogs, they no longer squirm or worm or anything, Prolly cuz they aren't in pain lol

[happysoul]

we also got sick of paying to have out dog's nails trimmes. so we invested in a nail grinder
Oster Nail Grinder Kit - Grooming - Dog - PetSmart

That was after I got totally scarred by onw of my dogs that would not let us use a nail clipper. It's been totally worth it and with two dogs it paid for itself after the first trip they didn't have to take to the groomer.
This is the same tool your groomer probably uses.

[navybrat]

Manders- Glad the pedi paws works for you! It's nice to have that smooth edge on the nail, especially if you have jumpers. But if you have good, sharp nail clippers you won't actually hurt your dog/cat by cutting the nails. (as long as you don't hit the quick of course) Some nail clippers you can actually have sharpened too so they don't have to be replaced. It's the pressure on the toe nail that I think someone was trying to tell you about causing discomfort.If they're sharp they go right through, no pressure. It's no worse than when you cut your own nails. The reason I asked Kval about where she does them is because if you get the dog out of it's element it's (usually) tons easier. Put them up on a table or the washer or counter and have someone hold their collar for you. Both my dad's and my brother's dogs have to be done on the coffee table. On the floor they are not do-able, but I put them up there and they stand like statues! That was one of the first things I learned when I first started grooming 14 yrs ago, get the dog out of it's element. No laps or floors or couches.Same goes for brushing, but that's a whole different topic :)

[navybrat]

Oh, I forgot, I do also file the dogs nails at work. We cut them first then file the sharp edges away. We just have a cordless Dremmel from Walmart. The pedi paws uses batteries and we use it all the time so we'd go through tons of them, the Dremmel is rechargable.

[gooseandmama]

Hey,
With Italian Greyhounds, their hair is so short there's no buffer, like fat furry little paws, when they sit in your lap so keeping nails trimmed & SMOOTH is a must. The man I got both my boys from has always done all of his dogs nails with a dremmel (sp?)...you would think they would used to it. I got Angus when he was 7 mos & Jett at 9 mos. I have taken them to Petsmart & get them done for $10 each. A friend at work gave me her pedipaws, she's got several big dogs & not one would sit still to let her do their nails...they all acted like a bunch of babies. So, I thought, this will be great, no more going out to petsmart for this, I'm going to save so much money...HA!! They acted like a couple of sissies, pulling their little skinny legs away, whining like they are dying & hiding under the bed, running for the back door like they gotta go. I even tried having DH hold while I tried to file....in the end, it was just too much trouble...so here we go back to petsmart to get nails done. They practically hand their little paws over to the girls at petsmart....I think they like to flirt because they are the only IGs that go in there & they all make such a fuss over them.

Angus.jpg 0031_edited-copy.jpg
Angus Jett

I haven't ever tried any of the calming sprays, I hope one day I'll be able...maybe if I get the teenage daughters friend to come over so they can flirt while I try to do nails, Jett loves her! (I think there's a light bulb hanging over my head right now !)

[manders13]

I guess i should have added... I use rechargable batteries in the pedi paw. Having 52 paws to trim atleast once a month did kill the batteries supply lol.

[navybrat]

Awww... they're adorable!!! IG are such sweet little things, I've never had a problem with any I've come across. They all just want to cuddle! (then again maybe they were just cold, lol!)

[meggers]

I use the pedi paw too, Krystle. I know that some people hate it, but once I got the knack of it, it's really nice. You do have to be careful about hitting their nails at the wrong angle with it though or it makes them even more scared of it.

I have one dog that isn't scared of anything except dog #2. And the other dog is scared of everything except dog #1. Lucy, the wuss, will let me use the pedi paw, but I have to get her in position & make her stay & stay & stay... It's an ordeal, but it beats clippers by a long shot.