Cutting your pets nails regularly is very important. However sometimes it is much easier said than done. This can be a difficult task for both you and your pet and if done improperly could cause damage to your animal. However, cutting your pets nails will reduce household damage and keep your animal happy and healthy. An overgrown nail can cause harm, trap bacteria and potentially lead to infection.

Most animals will attempt to regulate their nail growth by scratching furniture or the floor. Providing designated scratching areas will aid in keeping the nails at bay. Regular cutting is still necessary and will reduce your pet from attempting to do this on their own.

Freedom Fur has created a guide below to ease the process. A few things to consider when cutting your pets’ nails are; the animal’s comfort level, line of direction when cutting, and where you’re cutting.

Ensuring your pet is in a comfortable position and awarded during the procedure will allow for the pet to stay calm and make the task more enjoyable. Soaking your pet’s nails in water can soften and make them easier to cut.

Before cutting look carefully at the nail and find the “quick”. The “quick” is the skin under the nail. The quick can also be overgrown so it’s important to look carefully. Cutting quick causes bleeding and creates a negative experience for your pet. If your pet has an overgrown quick, please see a professional. If you are not confident about cutting your own pet’s nails, contact Freedom Fur to book your Peticure today.

The direction of the cut is key to your animal’s needs. Most often pet owners prefer a flattened tip to reduce any furniture/ floor scratching. Flattening your pet’s nails can reduce scratching, however, flattening the tips of your pet’s nails also removes one of their defenses and limits their abilities. If your animal spends extended periods outside or may need to defend/ climb, directional cutting is preferred. Following the natural direction of the nail, directional cutting leaves a point that can then be softened with a flat cut as desired.