Re: Nail Clipping

In Reply to: Nail Clipping
Posted by:  Leif Christianson
Posted on:  September 28, 2001 at 09:36:36

: How short do you cut the nails? We received a rescued Jack Russell (6 years old) 3 weeks ago and the nails were long to start with. I would like to do it right so she is comfortable from the start. I have been touching her nails and paws with no problems to prepare for the cutting. Any suggestions?

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Hi Leif,

First of all thank you for adopting a rescue terrier!

If her nails are white it is pretty simple, you want to cut just short of the quick. The quick is that pink part you can see through a dog's nails. You don't want to cut into that because there are nerves and blood in there and if you cut into that the dog will bleed and it hurts.

If some of the nails are black and you cannot see where the quick is then you are best to just clip the very thin curved end of the nail.

If you think she is going to have a problem with nail clipping, then I suggest getting a softie muzzle and putting it on her before you attempt to clip, and make sure you have a good quality nail clipper.