How to trim your dog's black nails safely and efficiently

Trimming dog's black nails can be intimidating for pet parents. You want to make sure you're not going to cut the quick, which can be difficult to spot on dark nails.

In this video, our Registered Veterinarian Jocelyn Rutgers demonstrates the best way to trim black nails and tips to make it as easy and painless as possible!

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[nomoremrniceguy]

Great video! Especially the part where you show the underside of the dark nail to see the quick. Dark nails really can be stressful. THANKS! 😁

[tinajefferies]

As a first time dog with black nails trimmer 10 days ago, another tip is to not expect to trim all your dogs nails in one session. I hoped to get one done but managed about 8! My dog was on the sofa and husband fed him peanut butter laced dog biscuits each time I clipped and we said “good boy”. My dog is a large mastiff/greyhound cross we adopted this year aged 11 and does not like having his paws touched. The day after, we turned him the other way and I did the other claws on the other side. I only clipped about 1/8” (3mm) and did not reach the quick. Am leaving it 2 weeks to do it again but feel more confident about the process now. Greetings from the UK.

[wendyjaa]

That tip about little clips and how to see the quick was EXTREMELY helpful, thank you! I've never clipped my pup's nails before, but I think I'm ready to give it a try!

[irredeemabledeplorable]

something I have found extremely helpful trimming my Doby's nails/CLAWS is a small, led flashlight to backlight the nail before beginning. In the beginning, I used to put a small sharpie mark just a bit ahead of where I wanted to cut but I no longer need that as I keep checking with the light. Sounds like a hassle but isn't. She's a farm dog and we have lots of wildlife around and she is unrestrained so I keep her a little long so she has some extra defense. I'm never in a hurry to trim her and she just sits there like a diva at the spa. Once they know you won't hurt them they'll get used to it.

[JKine]

I forget where I learned it first, but I wish more people talked about referencing the hollow portion of your dog's nail. Great tip!

[cassieoz]

Thank you! Finally! A vet using a restless dog, not a freakily perfect/comatose doggo

[retro]

Hi, thank you for great info.
Another tip that may help, especially with fluffy dogs or hairy paws. Dip the paws in water to part the fur and to see the nails more clearly. I find this helps so much with my Yorkie 🐶

[almarc]

Such a good dog!!! I love how he was watching you do it. So cute!

[ES]

This dog is a doll! What a sweetheart and gorgeous too

[AuthorBeckyJAyers]

I have a black Bassador with really long nails that are starting to curl around and poke into her pads. I’ve always been afraid of cutting her quick because I can’t shine a light through them like my Chihuahua to see the quick. I was SO happy to find this video with the underneath view of where the quick is. Thank you SO much! ❤

[michaiahvanmuysen]

Thanks for this! 😊 What a good partner you have for this video! So cooperative, patient, & trusting just watching you clip his nails, curious but knowing that you won't hurt him! What a good boy!! ❤

[johnberry]

Look underneath - best tip. Thank you. My dogs appreciate this advice.

[mitchgreen]

Excellent demonstration! You have a warm, friendly, positive presence on video. Thank you.

[bermo]

No one can trim my dogs nails. I’m going to try myself since he trusts me. This video helps!

[trafyknits]

Thank you very much for posting this. You answered every question I had about how far to cut. Bravo!

[naturalgreenaura]

Thanks to your video I was able to trim my dog nails today! I was so scared that I started clipping small pieces off. I tried to look for the round part under the nail but didn’t see it. I was getting ready to clip a nail and suddenly she started doing that little cry. I felt very horrible but luckily she wasn’t bleeding at all. I didn’t cut it but cut further down. She ended up being a happy dog! Thanks again! Your video really helped! I was scared out my mind

[jamie]

Thank you so much for this information!!!! I'm clipping my dogs nails today for the first time and I've been extremely nervous about it. The part explaining how to look for the beginning of the vein after each clip has been the most helpful tip I've found thus far and a huge relief. Thank you!!!

[MOMOHEARTS]

Thank you I needed this cause I hated guessing! I'm a groomer trainee and black nails stresses me out. Now knowing even better where to stop visually helps!

[kellilien]

This was a really good video. I've paid for some "grooming DVDs" ... done by "well known groomers" and they always say, "Well, after the nails are trimmed ... and ... after the tummy is trimmed. (Never showing how to do either). I think nail trimming is difficult. Our little dog has black nails. Thanks for this very helpful and well done video.

[DylanNalyd]

I’m terrified to cut my dogs nails, I am afraid for him to freak out or to hurt him. This was extremely helpful! Thank you very much!