If your dog's nails have been left for a while, you'll probably find you can't take much off before you're close to the quick. That's normal. The quick, the living part of the nail with the blood supply, grows out along with the nail. Long nails mean a long quick.
The good news is that it goes back too. Trim a little, often, and the quick recedes over a few weeks.
How to tell if nails are overgrown
- You can hear them clicking on the floor.
- They touch the ground when your dog is standing still.
- The toes splay or twist to one side.
- Your dog slips more than they used to on hard floors.
- Dewclaws are curling back toward the leg.
The plan: little and often
Aim for a small trim every 5 to 7 days instead of one big cut every couple of months. Each trim takes off just the tip. Exposing the end of the nail encourages the quick to pull back, so next week there's a little more you can take.
Most dogs reach a comfortable length in four to eight weeks.
Clippers or grinder?
Both work. A grinder is more forgiving on overgrown nails because you take a sliver at a time and can stop the moment you see the quick getting close. Clippers are faster but easier to overshoot. There's a full comparison here: nail grinder vs clippers.
How to trim without hitting the quick
- Good light. Sit somewhere bright, or use a tool with a built-in light.
- Take a small amount. A millimetre or two from the tip, at a slight angle following the curve of the nail.
- Look at the cut end. On pale nails you'll see pink getting closer. On any nail, a small pale or chalky oval in the centre means the quick is near. Stop there.
- Smooth the edge with a file or a quick pass of the grinder so it doesn't snag.
- Treat, and stop while your dog is still relaxed.
Black nails are harder because you can't see the quick through them. Read our guide to cutting black dog nails, or use LED clippers that light the nail from behind.
If you nick the quick
It bleeds more than you'd expect, but it isn't an emergency. Press styptic powder, or cornflour if you don't have any, onto the nail tip for a minute. Keep it on hand before you start.
Walks help too
Walking on pavement files nails naturally. If your dog mostly walks on grass, a scratch board lets them file their own front nails for a treat, which is useful for dogs who won't let you hold a paw.
When to see a vet or groomer
If a nail is curling into the pad, split, bleeding or infected, or your dog won't let you near their feet at all, get help. Vets and groomers can trim severely overgrown nails safely, sometimes with light sedation. Once they're back to a sensible length, you can keep them there at home.
If your dog panics at the sight of the clippers, start with our free 7-Day Method before you try any of this.
General grooming guidance, not veterinary advice.