What’s the right way to cut my dog’s toenails?

If you look closely at your dog’s claws, you’ll see a translucent section of nail alone and an opaque section of tissue below the nail. If you decide to cut his nails by yourself, use that section of tissue as a guide – never cut above it, as it can result in bleeding and infection. Use clippers of a size appropriate for your pup’s claws and make sure the blade is sharp since dull blades mean that you have to apply more pressure and can be more traumatic for your dog. If you do cut too high and he starts to bleed, apply pressure using a paper towel or clean cloth soaked in warm water. If you’re an extremely well-prepared owner and have a styptic pen, even better. You can find styptics in a drugstore with bee sting treatments, or just ask the pharmacist for help.

Some dogs don’t like to have their nails clipped or even have their paws touched. In those cases, it’s really in both of your best interests to take him to a groomer or the vet to have them clipped by a professional. It takes less time, cuts down on the risk of injury, and is just more pleasant for both of you.