Cutting your pet’s nails can be so frustrating for dog owners. Why? Because dog’s nails are rounded and it hurts, that’s why. But you can lessen the trauma. Nail scissors are best, as you can cut from front to back, lessening the ‘squeeze’ effect. Every nail (including the dewclaw) has a blood vessel – the so-called quick – running down its centre. Regular trimming shortens the quick as well as the nails. If you let nails grow, the quick does, too, and the chance of bleeding when you cut them becomes more likely. Cut on the outside of the quick, but have on hand a styptic pencil in case of bleeding. Only cut one or two nails at a time. If things still prove difficult, try a ‘bastard cut’ file. The nails should clear the ground by about two millimetres