Veterinarians are trained to trim your pet’s nails, but owners themselves can learn how to do it too. What’s important is that it gets done regularly. But how should you go about it?

Do It Yourself

It may be intimidating at first, but DIY nail trimming can be done and is worth trying.

If you do decide to give this a shot, here are some benefits you can look forward to:

You get to save money. Your only expense would be for the necessary nail trimming tools and supplies, including clippers and styptic powder. And once you’ve purchased these (and as long as they still work and are useable), you can clip your pet’s nails at practically no cost.
You get to do it at home. Your home is probably where your pet feels most comfortable and secure. Nail clipping in itself can be stressful, so being in a familiar setting will help reduce their fear and anxiety. Plus, since there’s no need to travel, you have one less thing to worry about.
You get to do it on your own time. All you need is to find a schedule that’s convenient for you and your pet (ideally at the time of the day you’ve observed him or her to be at their most cooperative).
You get to bond. Although nail clipping isn’t exactly a fun experience, it still counts as one-on-one time with your pet. Take this as an opportunity to show them you care about them. Also, don’t forget to watch their reactions and use your observations to make your next nail-trimming session more pleasant.

Nail Trimming by Your Veterinarian

Nail trimming is serious business. It involves managing a sensitive area for your pet and if done incorrectly or carelessly, it can lead to painful accidents. If you do not feel confident about handling this task on your own, it’s best to leave it in your vet’s hands.

Here’s why veterinarians would do a top-notch job of nail trimming:

They have the experience. Not only have they clipped pet nails numerous times before, they have also probably encountered—and dealt with—all kinds of pet reactions. Say your pet gets extremely anxious whenever it’s nail-trimming time. A veterinarian would know how to make your pet feel at ease, how to complete the process as quickly as possible, and how to avoid hurting your pet should they protest mid-session.
They have the expertise. They possess the necessary know-how and skills to handle unusual or extreme cases. Take dogs with severely overgrown nails, for instance. Regular DIY clipping won’t cut it since the quick is further down the dog’s nail. You would have to bring your dog to a veterinarian, who will most likely grind the nails down until they are short enough.
Veterinarians have the equipment. They have access to a full set of nail-trimming tools and supplies, which are most likely more sophisticated or of a higher grade than the ones you own. Many offices also have spaces and instruments designed to make it easier to clip the nails of uncooperative pets.
The bonus: a veterinarian’s staff will take care of any cleaning-up that needs to be done after. If you’re going the DIY route, sweeping off those bits of nails that on the floor would be another task that you need to cover.

At the end of the day, it’s about what works best for you pet: a DIY approach or sessions with your veterinarian. Factor in their temperament, needs, and preferences, and always make sure it will be a positive experience for both of you.

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