Claw care is an important part of grooming because everything depends on it. From the safety of the Pet and the groomer to healthy posture and joint health in old age. An improper cut can cause pain, damage nerve endings, or even change your pet’s posture. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what angle to cut your dog and cat’s nails. In this article, we answer the popular questions: how to cut a cat’s nails and how to cut a dog’s nails.
Correct cutting angle
The optimum angle for claw cutting is approximately 45°. This is the best angle to cut the nail without affecting the living part of the nail, the so-called “stifle”, where the blood vessels and nerves pass through. The 45° angle allows you to make a natural shape of the tip of the nail, so that it does not crack and does not interfere with walking.
For dogs: the claw should be trimmed along its natural growth line, forming a smooth downward bevel.
For cats: the cut is slightly shorter, as cats’ claws are softer and grow in a semicircle. It is important not to cut too deep here, as even a few millimeters of error can cause bleeding.
How to figure out where to stay
In animals with transparent or light-colored claws, the stifle is visible – it has a pink tint. The cut is made 2-3 mm above this border. If the claws are dark – you need to act gradually: cut in small parts, checking the cut after each press. When a dark spot starts to appear inside – this is a signal to stop.
Which tool to choose
For dogs and cats, special claw cutters are used – guillotine-type or scissor-shaped. It is important that the blades are sharp – blunt tools compress the claw and can cause microcracks. For small breeds or kittens, small manicure scissors with a stopper are better, and after the procedure it is worth going through a file to smooth the edges.
Typical mistakes
Cutting at right angles (90°): creates sharp edges that can break or scratch.
Trimming too short: traumatizes the living tissue, causes pain and fear of the next procedure.
Irregular grooming: if the claws grow too long, the stifle will also lengthen and it will be more difficult to trim without pain in the future.
Advice from the masters of V.O.G DOG SALON
To avoid stress in the animal, trimming should be carried out in a calm atmosphere, with a treat after the procedure. If you are not sure of the right angle or do not see the speed – it is better to entrust the claws to a professional groomer. At V.O.G DOG SALON in Kiev, our specialists know all the nuances of paw anatomy and use only sterile, sharp tools. The procedure takes a few minutes and guarantees the animal comfort without any pain.
