Wahl Ultimate Nail Grinder Replacement Kit

It's easy to avoid the "quick" when trimming a dog with white/light nails. How do I avoid cutting it in a dog with black nails?

Since you can’t see the quick in black or dark nails, be careful to not cut too far back on the nail. Just clip where the nail begins to curve towards the floor. To be safe, take off only a small slice.

What do I do if I cut into my dog's "quick" by trimming his nails too close and he bleeds?

A good rule of thumb is to cut the nail just before it curves downward so you don’t cut into the quick. The excessive growth is usually easy to determine. Keep a styptic stick or styptic powder nearby before beginning trimming and use immediately if the quick is struck and bleeding begins. Also, dipping the bleeding nail into a small amount of corn starch can help stop the bleeding. For a small nick and trickled bleeding, try running a clean bar of unscented soap across the affected part of the nail.

What is the "quick" that I hear about regarding a dog's nails?

The quick is the vein and nerve that run into the nail. It doesn’t run the entire length of the nail and typically ends before the nail curves towards the ground.

How do I know when it's time to trim my dog's nails?

When your dog’s nails reach the floor, it’s time to trim them. Listen for the click-clacking when he walks across a floor or hard surface. Properly maintained nails will avoid the development of broken nails, ingrown nails and infections, while preserving delicate carpet and floors.