Last Updated on June 4, 2022 by Guillermina
Learn the best tips and tricks about cutting Yorkie nails.
Neat and trimmed nails are a clear sign of your dog’s good health and hygiene. Accordingly, nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming. Unfortunately, this procedure can be an anxiety-laden experience for many dogs, however knowing just the right place to clip their nails to prevent injury doesn’t have to be a guessing game.
Therefore stay with us and find out everything you need to know about cutting Yorkie nails.
Table of Contents
What Is So Challenging About Cutting Yorkie Nails?
Cutting Yorkie nails must be done with extra care, and this primarily applies to the dog’s “quick”. The ‘quick’ is a group of blood vessels and nerves located somewhere around the middle of your pet’s nail. It has a unique task, to deliver blood to the nails in order to keep them growing and alive.
Since it is located inside the nail itself, it is common for owners to inadvertently injure their terrier. Once injured, “quick” start to bleed heavily which can seriously harm your pet. For dogs with white nails, the quick is easy to see because it has a characteristic pinkish color. Yorkshire terriers on the other hand have black nails and therefore, it isn’t surprising that the rate of injuries when cutting Yorkie nails is much higher than in other types of dogs.
Read more about Do Yorkies Get Cold Easy? The 2 Most Common Negative Consequences You Need To Protect Your Dog From
What Is The Importance Of Regular Nail Trimming?
In short, your dog is prone to many complications and various problems if the nails are not trimmed. Yorkie’s nails are a part of their anatomy, and accordingly, if they are not trimmed properly or not trimmed at all, they can cause movement problems. In addition, nails can cause pain or even change the position of the bones in the terrier’s feet.
The benefits of regular Yorkie nail trimming:
- prevents joint pain and arthritis,
- removes any discomfort, especially when walking or running,
- prevents possible change in bone position.
The easiest way to prevent these problems is to trim your Yorkie nails regularly.
Expand your knowledge by reading this article as well.
Common Mistakes When Cutting Yorkie Nails
Unsettled dog: If your pet is fidgety and likes to play, unfortunately, we have to tell you that it will be a difficult task. When cutting Yorkie nails, you need to make sure that both, you and your dog are calm, because otherwise, you can expect negative consequences.
In addition, you can try to put up a face to show your terrier that you are not playing at that moment. Also, don’t give him any toys or anything that might distract him.
Hurry-scurry: Haste is not a desirable virtue in this process. Cutting too fast really hurts your dog and will absolutely make him bleed. It takes patience to be able to thoroughly study a nail and look for blood vessels. Therefore, if you love your dog, please slow down.
Cheap and/or defective clippers: In short, poor-quality scissors hurt your dog.
Related article: How To Cut A Yorkie Poos Hair – Ultimate Guide To Yorkie Grooming – 7 Tips
What To Do If You Inadvertently Injure Yorkie’s Quick?
Imagine the following situation: you are sitting, trying to cut your pet’s nails, and BAAAAAAAM all of a sudden the blood is everywhere. While it may sound like a horror movie scene, this is a common situation that can happen to anyone, even owners with years of experience.
The most important thing is to make sure you stop the blood immediately. Therefore, always have a styptic pen on hand so that you can stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Although they were originally intended for shaving cuts, they may also be used to treat a fast injury. As for the procedure, simply wet the end of the pencil, then push it against the damaged nail and hold for a few minutes.
If this catches you unprepared, flour or cornstarch will also be enough to stop the bleeding. The procedure is the same as for the styptic pencil. Finally, keep in mind that a visit to the vet is necessary in both cases if the bleeding persists or after the bleeding has stopped. Only then will you be sure that you have provided your pet with the appropriate treatment.
Let’s Repeat The Material
Your dog needs trimming every 4-6 weeks. Always be patient and take extra precautions to avoid cutting the ‘quick.’ Always choose only the best equipment, as this will greatly facilitate your task. Lastly, keep in mind that you and your dog need to be calm and success is guaranteed.
Now you know everything you need to know about the basics of cutting Yorkie nails. We hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
How Often Do Yorkies Need Their Nails Cut?
Yorkies' nails should be trimmed every 2 to 3 months, however, everything is individual and depends on the dog itself. Therefore, the best option is to regularly monitor how fast they are developing, and based on that you will know which frequency is best for your dog.
What Is The Trick To Cutting A Dog’s Nails?
The best thing you can do for your dog is to introduce him to a nail clipper or grinder. This is a day-to-day guide.
Day 1: Let your puppy sniff the nail clipper or grinder, and then reward him with some delicious treat.
Day 2: Touch the dog’s paws with these tools and give him a treat.
Day 3: Touch the nail clipper to each paw and squeeze the clipper so he can hear that specific sound. In case you are using a grinder, turn it on and let the dog feel the vibration. Then praise him and give him a favorite treat.
Day 4: Repeat day 3.
Day 5: Try trimming off just the very tiniest type of one nail and don’t forget to reward it with a treat.
Day 6: Repeat day 5, but with a different nail. Be sure to reward your dog.
Day 7: work nail by nail until you complete the process. Don’t miss the compliments and treats as they are an integral part of this process.
Do You Cut Dog Nails From Top Or Bottom?
Always cut from top to bottom.
How Short Should I Cut My Yorkie’s Nails?
It is recommended to cut only a small amount of your dog’s nail, or in other words, just the tip of the nail.