How to Trim Your Dog's or Cat's Nails at Home

Quick answer: Trim a little at a time. Hold the paw gently, press lightly on the pad so the nail extends, and clip just the tip at a slight angle, staying well in front of the pink quick (the part with nerves and blood vessels). Most dogs need a trim every 3 to 6 weeks and most indoor cats every 2 to 3 weeks. If your pet's nails click on the floor, or a cat's claws snag on fabric, it's time.

What you need

• A pet nail clipper sized for your pet. Small scissor-style or guillotine-style clippers suit cats and small dogs; big dogs often need a heavier clipper or a grinder.
• Good light. A bright lamp, or a clipper with a built-in light like our LED pet nail clipper, makes the quick easier to see on light nails.
• Treats, and something to keep your pet busy. A lick mat with a thin layer of soft food works well for many dogs.
• Styptic powder or cornstarch, just in case you nick the quick.

Where to cut

Every nail has a quick running through the middle. On light or clear nails you can see it as a pink area. Cut a couple of millimetres in front of it. On dark nails you can't see the quick, so take off thin slices and look at the cut end each time: when you see a small grey or pink oval in the centre, stop.

Don't forget the dewclaws, the small nails higher up on the inside of the leg. They don't touch the ground, so they can grow long and curl.

Step by step: trimming dog nails

1. Pick a calm moment. After a walk or a meal is usually easier than when your dog is full of energy.
2. Get comfortable. Small dogs can sit on your lap; bigger dogs can lie on their side on the floor.
3. Hold one paw. Use your thumb on the pad and your finger on top of the toe to extend the nail.
4. Clip the tip. Cut at a slight angle, following the curve of the nail. One clean squeeze is better than several small ones.
5. Treat and praise. Reward after each paw, or after each nail if your dog is new to this.
6. Stop while it's going well. Doing two paws today and two tomorrow is perfectly fine.

Step by step: trimming cat nails

1. Wait until your cat is relaxed or sleepy.
2. Hold your cat on your lap, facing away from you.
3. Gently press the top and bottom of a toe to extend the claw.
4. Clip only the sharp, clear tip. Cat quicks are easy to see on most claws.
5. Do a few claws per session and give a treat. Many cats accept one paw a day better than all four at once.

If your pet hates nail trims

This is very common. Build up slowly over a week or two:

1. Touch a paw for a second, then give a treat.
2. Hold a paw for a few seconds, then treat.
3. Let your pet sniff the clipper, with treats nearby. Turn on the light or squeeze the clipper near them without cutting.
4. Clip one nail, then stop and treat. Add a nail every session.

If your pet struggles a lot, or you're nervous, ask your groomer or vet to show you how. Many will trim nails quickly during a visit.

What if I cut the quick?

It happens, even to professionals. Stay calm, press a pinch of styptic powder or cornstarch onto the nail for a minute and give your pet a treat. If bleeding doesn't stop after a few minutes, call your vet.

How often to trim

• Dogs: every 3 to 6 weeks for most. Dogs that walk a lot on pavement wear nails down faster than dogs that walk on grass.
• Cats: every 2 to 3 weeks for most indoor cats. A scratching post helps too.
• Long nails: if the nails are already very long, trim a little every week. The quick tends to recede over time as the nail gets shorter.

Find more grooming tools in our Grooming & Bath collection.

FAQ

How do I know if my dog's nails are too long?

If you hear clicking on hard floors, or the nails touch the ground when your dog is standing still, they are ready for a trim.

How often should I trim my cat's nails?

Every 2 to 3 weeks is a good rhythm for most indoor cats. Older cats often need trims more often because they scratch less.

How do I trim dark dog nails?

Take off thin slices and look at the cut end after each one. When you see a small grey or pink oval in the centre, stop: you're close to the quick.

What should I do if I cut the quick?

Press styptic powder or cornstarch onto the nail for about a minute. Call your vet if the bleeding doesn't stop after a few minutes.