Do you cut dog nails straight or at an angle?

When we gently hold the dog's furry paws and prepare to trim its nails, a seemingly simple question always triggers thinking: Should the dog's nails be trimmed straight or at an angle? This decision is not only about the beauty of the nail trimming, but also directly affects the dog's walking health and quality of life. Every time we trim the nails, it is an intimate interaction between us and the dog, and it is also a moment for us to express our love with actions. Therefore, it is particularly important to understand the correct trimming method. ​

To determine the appropriate trimming method, you first need to have a deep understanding of the structure of the dog's nails. There is an important part inside the dog's nails called the "blood line", which contains blood vessels and nerves, providing nutrition to the nails, just like the roots that transport nutrients to plants. The blood line appears as a pink or dark area in the nail. The length of the blood line varies from dog to dog, which mainly depends on their breed, living habits and the growth rate of the nails. For example, dogs that often move on rough ground have more worn nails and relatively shorter nail lines; while dogs that live indoors for a long time and have less contact with rough ground have faster nail growth and longer nail lines. ​

If the straight trimming method is adopted, the advantage of this method is that the operation is relatively simple and direct, and the length of the nails can be controlled more evenly. For dogs with short nail lines and more regular nails, straight trimming can quickly and effectively reduce the length of the nails and prevent the nails from being too long and affecting the dog's normal walking. When we gently lift the dog's paw and cut it parallel to the front end of the nail with nail clippers, we can clearly see that the nails are neatly trimmed. However, straight trimming also has certain risks. Once the position of the nail line is not accurately judged, it is easy to accidentally cut the nail line and cause bleeding of the nail. At this time, the dog will be frightened by the sudden pain, and may even resist trimming the nails, which will bring difficulties to the subsequent care work. Imagine that the dog originally trusted us to hand over its paws, but felt pain because of a wrong trimming, which makes us as the owner feel very distressed and self-blame. ​

The oblique trimming method is also unique. Trimming nails at an angle can make the edges of nails smoother, reduce the possibility of nails scratching furniture, carpets or owner's clothes, and reduce the risk of accidental scratches to a certain extent. When we trim nails at a certain angle, the shape of the nails will become more natural and smooth, like a carefully carved work of art. For some dogs whose nails grow in irregular directions, trimming at an angle can better adjust the shape of the nails to make them more in line with the dog's walking needs. However, trimming at an angle also requires caution. If the angle is too large, it may also cut the blood line; and it is relatively more difficult to grasp the scale of trimming at an angle. For inexperienced owners, uneven trimming may occur, affecting the overall beauty of the nails and the comfort of the dog. ​

Whether you choose straight trimming or diagonal trimming, you need to make adequate preparations before trimming. We can prepare suitable nail clippers first. There are many types of dog nail clippers on the market, such as scissors, pliers, etc. Choose the appropriate style according to the size and hardness of the dog's nails. At the same time, prepare some hemostatic powder or cotton balls to stop bleeding in time if you accidentally cut the blood line. During the trimming process, choose a quiet and comfortable environment to relax the dog. You can first gently stroke the dog's paw and talk to it softly to let it gradually adapt to the feeling of having its paw touched. Then, gently lift the dog's paw and use your fingers to separate the toes so that you can observe the position of the nail and the blood line more clearly. ​

In actual trimming, in order to avoid cutting the blood line, it is best to adopt the principle of small amounts and multiple times. Start from the tip of the nail and trim it little by little. The length of each trimming should not be too much. Every time you trim, you must carefully observe the situation inside the nail to determine whether it is close to the blood line. If you find signs of pink or dark color inside the nail, it means that it is close to the blood line and you should stop trimming immediately. If you accidentally cut the blood line and cause bleeding, don't panic, stay calm. Quickly press the bleeding area with a cotton ball. Generally, the bleeding will be controlled after pressing for a few minutes. If there is a lot of bleeding, you can sprinkle an appropriate amount of hemostatic powder on the bleeding area while pressing. After dealing with the bleeding, give the dog some comfort and rewards, such as delicious snacks or a gentle hug, to let it know that the unpleasantness just now has passed and re-establish trust in trimming nails.​

Trimming a dog's nails is a job that requires patience and carefulness. There is no absolute right or wrong in choosing a straight cut or an oblique cut. The key is to judge and operate according to the specific situation of the dog. No matter which method is used, our starting point is to make the dog more comfortable and healthy. Every successful trimming is the accumulation of trust between us and the dog, and it is also a reflection of our deep love for them. Let us use professional knowledge and warm care to care for every little detail of the dog and accompany them to grow happily.