Pet Talk: Animal Nail Care Revisited
While a manicure or pedicure is generally considered a luxury for humans, good nail care is a requirement for dogs and cats.
Nail care is crucial in companion animals for a variety of reasons, including your pet's overall health. Everyday activities such as walking or jogging can become exceedingly uncomfortable if a pet's nails get overgrown.
Nail trims can be a difficult procedure for both owners and pets, but Harmony Peraza, a veterinary technician at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says there are a few techniques to make the process go more smoothly.
Peraza explained that getting an animal used to nail cutting early in life and keeping them on a regular clipping regimen can substantially boost their acceptance of the task. How active the animal is and what surfaces its nails are exposed to determine an appropriate clipping plan for pets— a dog who runs on concrete may naturally have shorter nails than one who walks on carpet.
However, trimming every six to eight weeks is a healthy habit to get into, she said.
To help lessen pets nervousness, Peraza recommends that owners begin the process of nail trimming in a number of steps.
First, softly handle the pet's feet, Peraza advised, then let the pet to smell and inspect the trimming instrument.Finally, start trimming the nails one at a time, rewarding the dog with praise, tactile petting, and goodies to establish a pleasant relationship.
The natural slant of the nail growth, which is generally the angle at which the nail and quick grow, should be followed while trimming a pet's nails. The nail should not extend more than halfway down the front of the paw pad on average.
Using a nail trimmer built for animal use and with the appropriate claw size will help speed up the procedure. Scissor cutters, guillotine clippers, and grinding trimmers are among the tools recommended by Peraza.
Owners who are familiar with and informed about the nail-trimming technique can trim their pet's nails at home with ease. If an owner is unsure, it is preferable to consult a groomer or veterinary specialist about the right procedure.
Although nail care is an easy grooming step to miss, it is critical to maintaining our pets running and walking with the same free spirit they have always had.
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