How to shorten my dog's long, curved nails without cutting the quick?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You could use a nail file to try to keep them more rounded and blunt as opposed to being sharp. There are even some nail files for dogs that are automatic and quite effective. You may find these online or at your local pet store. Good luck!

You can use a nail grinder instead of clippers; these are designed to "file" the nails down rather than cut them and they dramatically decrease the risk of bleeding during a nail trim. Sometimes the noise and or sensation is just as bothersome if not more so than trimming the nails, but it does give you a safer option at home if you are afraid of cutting them too short. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wahl-premium-nail-grinder Thanks for asking PetCoach!

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The average dog needs their nails cut every 4-8 weeks. If the nails are clear, you can see how much nail extends beyond the pink "quick" - the triangular shaped blood supply that comes from the base of the nail. If the nail is longer than about a cm beyond the quick, it's ready to be cut back. If the nails are starting to get more of a point or tapered edge at the tip, then they're getting too long. However, this quick grows with the nail - so the longer the nails get, the less you will be able to cut them back. When in doubt, cut the nails once a month - and over time you'll get a feel for your specific dog's needs and if you can spread those nail trims out a bit. Hope this helps!

Great question! I would use animal nail clippers which you can get from a pet shop. Be sure to avoid the quick, which is the pink part of the nail. If that is cut, it will bleeding a lot and be painful to the dog. I will link a website that details exactly how to cut your dog's nails: https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/procedures/dogs/clipping-your-dog's-claws

The quick can be tricky to find, especially if the nails are darker. If it has been some time since the nails were last trimmed, which is likely it sounds like, then the quick will be longer. The best bet is to trim the nail as close to the pad as possible because it sounds like you probaly can not see the end of the nail. If you can see the end of the nail there is typically an overhanging bit from the top of the nail. It is typically safe to take this off without worrying about the quick as it is in the whole portion of the nail and then you can work back from there. If the nails are lighter in color you can sometimes see where the quick is by looking at the side of the nail. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You have basically two options 1) Get some anti-anxiety medication and try again (or have the vet office try again) 2) take some serious time to train her. Feed treats while you touch the feet. Repeat daily until she has no concern about it. Then continue to give treats while you hold the nail clippers. When she is comfortable with that, progress to touching the clippers to the nail. Finally progress to just clipping the tip of the nail, etc. Best of luck to you and Ash!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is really not much more you can do at home. You have done a good job so far. Now this is likely going to continue to improve slowly but it will take time to do so. If he appears to be painful, it would be best to go to a veterinarian as they can proceed to cut the rest of the nail so it heals quicker and also send him home on pain control medications. Best of luck!