trimming dew claw?

When we first got Buster his dew claw (or is it fore claw? I'm not sure, the one on his front paw, kind of like a thumb) was long and sharp. When I took him into the vets for his jabs she trimmed it for me and said that once he starts going for longer walks it should be fine. They are both getting long and sharp again, and I'm not overly keen on trimming them myself so when I go to get Buster's wormers in a week or two I will get them trimmed by the vet again. Is there anything I can do at home to keep them shorter though? All his other claws are fine, and I've never had a problem with any other dogs claws before. They get so sharp they do break the skin if he catches you with them.

I've had a bit of a mare with Moo's dew claw, hers get very long and she has split the 3 times (on the reccomendation of my vets she will have them removed if it happens again).

So for the first time last night (I haven't had the guts to do it) but I did trim her claw very impressed with myself lol and it was so easy! They stay sharp because there not grinding against the ground like the other claws and I don't think there is anything you can do to help other than trim them Xx

I just get them trimmed regularly at the vet. They cant wear down like the claws on the paws which wear with walking.

I do Dempsey's myself, but that's because I've been doing it for donkey's years! It isn't for the faint hearted, especially if you clip too close to the quick & make it bleed. If the claws are pale, you should be able to see enough of the quick to clip them safely. Either that or file them down with a Pedpaws (I think that's what they're called).

My lot nibble their own dew claws, which in turn keeps them short.
Its only old fart Leyla who does'nt and needs her dew claw trimmed every now and then.
She wont let me clip her nail, as the pratt would eat me, so its off to the vet each time

Denise wrote:She wont let me clip her nail, as the pratt would eat me, so its off to the vet each time

Thats it you laugh

I'm norminating you for Leylas next manicure

Buster has light claws, so I know they would be fairly easy to do myself, I just worry that I might make them bleed. This is probably worse as I have a parrot, and if you cut them to short and make them bleed it can kill them, although I hope it wouldn't be as serious with a dog!

I think LuLu must bite hers or something as they are fine, although apparently cresteds have different claws and teeth to normal dogs so I dont know if that has something to do with it - I'm off to google that now!

What size nail clipper would I need? Medium or large?

I've no idea - I just bought one online years ago! I made sure I got a good, strong one & it's lasting very well. Not sure how long I've had it, but it's a few years now.

One size clipper fits all ... so to speak

Just dont let Leyla know you've got a pair of nail clippers, as just the sight of them sets her off

Sophie does her own. Trouble is, you can hear her nibbling in the night

We take Rocky to a local dog training centre to have his claws clipped. They only charge £4.00 for it and its only every 3/4 months or so.

Rocky does love to have a couple of ladies fussing over him too so it's a bit of a treat for him too, he really is such a tart

I did them with some toe clippers lol, probably not reccomened! Moo's are kinda transparent so its easy for me, plus she didn't mind which certainly makes it easier

I have a pair like this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/deluxe-pet-nail-clipper-for-cats-and-dogs-by-mikki-15572 not the guillotine ones (can't stand that kind) and find the dew claws the easiest to do.

If you can see the quick it's easy, here's a good diagram http://www.askthedogguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ViewOfQuickForNailClipping.png

If you can't see the quick, just take a tiny bit off to start with

lola seems to self manicure but i keep both dogs trimmed my self really just using nail clippers and a file been ok for me ya get used to knowing how much to trim i just remove the pointy sharp bits really so they don't catch them.lola loves being fussed over and will lie on her back and let you get on with it bonnie hates being touched though.

We trim Suki's ourselves but they are clear so the quick is really easy to see and we usually just trim the very tip just to be on the safe side

Not had any trouble with Milos yet but used to have to trim our JRT and other Staffies' dew claws. Like carol said get some decent ones as they will last years. I think the dogs are easy peasy compared to some of the other pets in the house ... the toughest being a syrian hamster!!

I do cairos myself as she has pale nails.Had no problem with them but she doesnt like them being cut.Shes a pain in the backside with it but i get it done eventually

I do Frost and Piggy's nails. Monte seems to self regulate. Glad too as he has all black nails. The other two have clear ones so I can see the quick. My vet says if you trim so it is flush with the pad, you most likely will not hit quick.

Galadriel wrote:I have a pair like this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/deluxe-pet-nail-clipper-for-cats-and-dogs-by-mikki-15572 not the guillotine ones (can't stand that kind) and find the dew claws the easiest to do.

They're like the ones I have.

Trouble chews his , he wont let me near his claws as i did nearly make one bleed , so he happily does it himself now

Caryll wrote:

Galadriel wrote:I have a pair like this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/deluxe-pet-nail-clipper-for-cats-and-dogs-by-mikki-15572 not the guillotine ones (can't stand that kind) and find the dew claws the easiest to do.

They're like the ones I have.

I lost mine so sent the OH out to get some more, he came back with some guillotine ones and they drove me mad, a few days after I'd used the new ones, my old favourites turned up

We haven't trimmed Pene's but they are extremely sharp almost like a cats claw. She cut my finger once. She doesn't like them being touched so I can't see much hope of trimming them. Pene chews and chews on them, according to the vet it's just like kids sucking their thumbs. We got her at 1.5 yrs after living with her mother so a few emotional problems and chewing her dew claws is like a comfort thing. Still....ever so cute!!!