Cutting Dog Nails

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,439
Thank you! So they do look short? Should I work for shorter? I keep thinking they look shorter than they were, but the clicking hasn't improved in the slightest. Maybe he just likes tap dancing. I noticed when he walks he doesn't place his paws flat down, he put the tips of his toes down first unless he's making a specific effort to be quiet. If he's trying to be a jerk and sneak up on the cat or steal something off the counter, paws are placed flat and he's silent. He also prances more than anything else, so I guess that could contribute to the click-clacking.
I think they look great, but if you're wanting to work for shorter I say go for it!
Some dogs literally go "up on their toes" when they're happy/prancing all over the place, and since he's a silent stealth but a tappy-prancer, I wonder if he doesn't naturally raise up onto those toes more when he's animated/etc., leading to that clicking sound.
Seriously I know people who can't get nails looking like that with a dremel and the fact you did it with the clippers impresses me.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
I think they look great, but if you're wanting to work for shorter I say go for it!
Some dogs literally go "up on their toes" when they're happy/prancing all over the place, and since he's a silent stealth but a tappy-prancer, I wonder if he doesn't naturally raise up onto those toes more when he's animated/etc., leading to that clicking sound.
Seriously I know people who can't get nails looking like that with a dremel and the fact you did it with the clippers impresses me.
No matter what he does (unless he's being sneaky) he clicks. Walking to the water bowl, following people around the kitchen, leaving the kitchen because he got yelled at for almost killing someone, going to the bathroom, etc. Constant clicking! It's not even quieter right after a trim! Maybe he just walks on his tippy toes more than other dogs? I hope the way he walks won't mess up his feet in the long run. He is a totally disproportionate dog so I wouldn't be surprised if he held himself a little differently. His chest is bald because it rubs on stuff so much! It's too big for his little legs. I know there's a point of nails being too short and I'm kinda scared I'll end up there in my quest for a silent walker. Ok, maybe not silent, just quieter. Muted taps instead of full-on tap dancing at full volume.

I feel better about my nail cutting skills after hearing that! He doesn't particularly love it and he tries to kick me in the face when I do his back feet. I end up having to pin one back foot under my arm while I do the other. He doesn't mind getting them filed to round it all out afterward thankfully.
 

nansiludie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
2,171
Purraise
1,213
All my dogs have always had clicking nails when walking across hard flooring. I never knew that you could not have that sound with dogs. The only reason the cats don't is because of their retracting claws. Your dog's nails are very short. I've never a dogs nails be that short. They do look nice though, I can tell the effort and time you put into them.
 

neely

May the purr be with you
Veteran
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
19,635
Purraise
47,796
Update: I heard back from my friend on the dog breed forum and this is what she said -
You can trim the nails every three or four days. The quick draws back almost immediately after cutting.

Each time the quick moves closer toward the nail bed, so it doesn't take as long as you might think.

I have a chart somewhere that shows that. I'll find it and post it.

ETA: I prefer the scissors type clippers, rather than the guillotine style. I feel I have more control.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have not received a chart yet but wanted to let you know what she said, don't know how much it helps though.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #25

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Update: I heard back from my friend on the dog breed forum and this is what she said -
You can trim the nails every three or four days. The quick draws back almost immediately after cutting.

Each time the quick moves closer toward the nail bed, so it doesn't take as long as you might think.

I have a chart somewhere that shows that. I'll find it and post it.

ETA: I prefer the scissors type clippers, rather than the guillotine style. I feel I have more control.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have not received a chart yet but wanted to let you know what she said, don't know how much it helps though.
Thank you for asking your friend! I'll try trimming more often to get them a little shorter but I'm worried about getting too short. I also like the scissor type clippers. I've never used the guillotine because they seem like you don't have as much freedom of movement.

I've been paying attention to his walking a lot more and I noticed there's not even the faintest clicking on cement, which there used to be months ago. If he is digging his nails in for traction on slippery floors is there anything I can do to help him? Trim the tiny hairs on his feet? They're already short but they could be shorter. Mushers Secret on his pads? Any of these anti-slip thingies?

Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips for Dogs - Helping people. Helping dogs.
Why Socks for Dogs
Paw-Pads™ Self-Adhesive Traction Pads
 

NewYork1303

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
3,025
Purraise
2,015
Location
Washington State
Most dogs have a maximum point to where the quick will go back to. Those nails are really short, so it may not be possible to get them much shorter. It may not help with click clacking when prancing in any case since this usually happens since the top part of the nail touches the ground as a dogs foot goes up or down, not something that can be fixed as long as a dog has any nail at all.

That said anyone with hardwood floors should be trimming paw hair in between toes and around the edges of the paws just to prevent dogs from injuring themselves. (It looks to me like you do that already?) This helps give dogs a lot more traction.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Most dogs have a maximum point to where the quick will go back to. Those nails are really short, so it may not be possible to get them much shorter. It may not help with click clacking when prancing in any case since this usually happens since the top part of the nail touches the ground as a dogs foot goes up or down, not something that can be fixed as long as a dog has any nail at all.

That said anyone with hardwood floors should be trimming paw hair in between toes and around the edges of the paws just to prevent dogs from injuring themselves. (It looks to me like you do that already?) This helps give dogs a lot more traction.
I only trim the hairs a little bit since they're naturally fairly short, but if I got better scissors I could trim shorter. He would most certainly kick me in the face while I trim though so I'm not sure it's worth it. It's so sad, when he sits on the hardwood or tile his front feet just slowly side away. Even while standing he usually has one foot that can't hold its ground.

He got his weekly nail trim this morning and like usual it made no difference in the clicking. He hurt both his carpal pads playing in the yard (no clue on what) and refused to stop chewing at the bandages so he's now in a cone of shame. In addition to the clicking, he's running into everything! When he was neutered he had to be in a cone for 2 months because one of the internal stitches got infected and he had to go back under for cleaning and restitching. He literally took chunks out of the wall with his cone.
 

NewYork1303

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
3,025
Purraise
2,015
Location
Washington State
I only trim the hairs a little bit since they're naturally fairly short, but if I got better scissors I could trim shorter. He would most certainly kick me in the face while I trim though so I'm not sure it's worth it. It's so sad, when he sits on the hardwood or tile his front feet just slowly side away. Even while standing he usually has one foot that can't hold its ground.

He got his weekly nail trim this morning and like usual it made no difference in the clicking. He hurt both his carpal pads playing in the yard (no clue on what) and refused to stop chewing at the bandages so he's now in a cone of shame. In addition to the clicking, he's running into everything! When he was neutered he had to be in a cone for 2 months because one of the internal stitches got infected and he had to go back under for cleaning and restitching. He literally took chunks out of the wall with his cone.
Oh my. I've never succeeded in getting my dogs nails not to click at all. There is always at least one nail clicking even if I use a dremel. I have to trim her paw hair quite often. I have heard that some people use a beard trimmer to get the hair short. My dog tolerates having them trimmed with round point scissors (you can even use children's scissors) much better than having her nails trimmed.

This is what hers look like trimmed up. If your dog has naturally shorter hair and doesn't grow large quantities between the toes as mine does, you may not need to trim them much.

IMG_7476.JPG


It helps with the slipping and sliding and since she is older, she really needs the traction. You can try musher's secret or booties of some type. But I've heard that musher's secret leaves a greasy residue around and most dogs don't tolerate booties.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #29

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Oh my. I've never succeeded in getting my dogs nails not to click at all. There is always at least one nail clicking even if I use a dremel. I have to trim her paw hair quite often. I have heard that some people use a beard trimmer to get the hair short. My dog tolerates having them trimmed with round point scissors (you can even use children's scissors) much better than having her nails trimmed.

This is what hers look like trimmed up. If your dog has naturally shorter hair and doesn't grow large quantities between the toes as mine does, you may not need to trim them much.

View attachment 228166

It helps with the slipping and sliding and since she is older, she really needs the traction. You can try musher's secret or booties of some type. But I've heard that musher's secret leaves a greasy residue around and most dogs don't tolerate booties.
She has the cutest paws! You trimmed them so neatly! Children's scissors are a good idea. My dog would never let me near him with anything electric. I used musher's secret regularly in a fully carpeted house but never on hard floors. Maybe if I use it sparingly and rub it in well? I'll let you know if there's any residue or if it makes him slip more. Of course, that has to wait until his pads heal.
 

NewYork1303

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
3,025
Purraise
2,015
Location
Washington State
She has the cutest paws! You trimmed them so neatly! Children's scissors are a good idea. My dog would never let me near him with anything electric. I used musher's secret regularly in a fully carpeted house but never on hard floors. Maybe if I use it sparingly and rub it in well? I'll let you know if there's any residue or if it makes him slip more. Of course, that has to wait until his pads heal.
Oh definitely. I have musher's secret and I don't think it leaves too much of a residue, but I also don't keep very clean floors so it may depend how neat you like things.

The kids scissors or at least ones with rounded tips are great since sharper scissors I worry about cutting the really soft thin skin between toes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Well, it seems I've gotten them as short as they'll go. The fish oil we switched to in an attempt to help his shedding and dry skin makes his nails grow freakishly fast. Now I spend more time clipping them (he freaks out if I take off anything more than a paper-thin sliver at a time) and he runs out of tolerance before I can file them as much as I like to. They aren't quite as round anymore but I think they're a hair shorter. I keep his toe hairs short and use Musher's Secret regularly, yet he still clicks! I give up. I'm destined to forever argue with vets when they say "his nails are too long because they click. I suggest you purchase a trimming while you're here today." When I insist they actually look at his feet they just keep saying "if they click they're too long." We end up going back and forth quite extensively until they finally look at his feet! Which always ends in "you should make them stop clicking." :sigh:

"Human, why are you on the floor?"
IMG_0162 (2).JPG


Feet while standing
IMG_0164 (2).JPG
IMG_0165 (2).JPG
IMG_0167 (2).JPG


Feet while sitting
IMG_0170 (2).JPG
IMG_0171 (2).JPG


He got tired of me posing him
IMG_0172 (2).JPG
IMG_0175 (2).JPG
 

neely

May the purr be with you
Veteran
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
19,635
Purraise
47,796
If fish oil causes his nails to grow faster I wonder if you could switch to olive oil, just a thought. :dunno: Love the last pic! :loveeyes:
 

gitabooks

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2015
Messages
595
Purraise
595
Location
USA
Adorable pictures!
I agree with you, its probably just his foot shape making his claws click. Sometimes people can over generalize, not realizing that some animals are unique in the way they are shaped or behave.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #34

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
If fish oil causes his nails to grow faster I wonder if you could switch to olive oil, just a thought. :dunno: Love the last pic! :loveeyes:
Olive oil is a great idea! Is there a dosage guideline?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #35

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Adorable pictures!
I agree with you, its probably just his foot shape making his claws click. Sometimes people can over generalize, not realizing that some animals are unique in the way they are shaped or behave.
I wish vets wouldn't over generalize. Particularly when it comes to mixed breed dogs, some can come out with a look that's quite unique and nothing about them quite fits the standard of "normal."
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37

sabrinah

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Messages
968
Purraise
863
Location
California
Those look excellent. Its probably just the way he walks.
Thank you! I wish I could record the way he walks and analyze it but he always knocks over the camera :ohwell: He does look like he places his toes down on the ground first before the rest of his foot
 

neely

May the purr be with you
Veteran
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
19,635
Purraise
47,796
Olive oil is a great idea! Is there a dosage guideline?
I'm sure you can look it up based on his weight.

I wish vets wouldn't over generalize. Particularly when it comes to mixed breed dogs, some can come out with a look that's quite unique and nothing about them quite fits the standard of "normal."
That's what makes mixed breeds so attractive and, yes, unique. They're a one of a kind. :redheartpump:
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,439
Well, it seems I've gotten them as short as they'll go. The fish oil we switched to in an attempt to help his shedding and dry skin makes his nails grow freakishly fast. Now I spend more time clipping them (he freaks out if I take off anything more than a paper-thin sliver at a time) and he runs out of tolerance before I can file them as much as I like to. They aren't quite as round anymore but I think they're a hair shorter. I keep his toe hairs short and use Musher's Secret regularly, yet he still clicks! I give up. I'm destined to forever argue with vets when they say "his nails are too long because they click. I suggest you purchase a trimming while you're here today." When I insist they actually look at his feet they just keep saying "if they click they're too long." We end up going back and forth quite extensively until they finally look at his feet! Which always ends in "you should make them stop clicking." :sigh:

"Human, why are you on the floor?"
View attachment 237027

Feet while standing
View attachment 237028 View attachment 237029 View attachment 237030

Feet while sitting
View attachment 237031 View attachment 237032

He got tired of me posing himView attachment 237033 View attachment 237034
That is one adorable dog!!!!! I love his "I'm BORED" stretch, LOL
I honestly couldn't have done better with a dremel and a sedated dog. You got them short, not only, but also smooth and removed those little pieces of outer nail that sometimes a dremel leaves behind. Very thorough work!!!

I've never used Olive oil. I think it would do a nice job in keeping the coat at bay, but if you're looking for an omega 3 supplement (for heart/over all health) I don't believe EVOO has that...but EVOO is super stuff. And tasty =D
I wonder if he'd like coconut oil?
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,439
Thank you! I wish I could record the way he walks and analyze it but he always knocks over the camera :ohwell: He does look like he places his toes down on the ground first before the rest of his foot
Maybe if you set the camera up somewhere, zoomed out, then leash walked him across where the camera is aimed? It might be interesting to see the difference between the walk and trot, too and how his feet track.
 
Top