Shih Tzu need to have their nails clipped regularly, especially because they spend most of their time indoors, so they don’t wear down their nails on hard surfaces. Check your Shih Tzu’s nails often and don’t let them become overgrown. Trim them at least once a month or ask your veterinarian or groomer to trim them.

Overgrown nails can deform the paws, interfere with movement, and hinder your Shih Tzu’s ability to walk. In more severe cases, they can curve under and pierce the footpads.

To determine if your Shih Tzu needs a nail trim, stand her  on the grooming table. None of the nails should touch the surface of the table. Notice that each toenail curves and tapers into a point. If the toenail, or the “quick”. This is the blood supply; just below the blood supply is the excess nail growth needed to be removed. If the toenails are too dark to differentiate where the quick ends, you can illuminate the nail with a penlight or a flashlight to find the line of demarcation where the blood supply ends.

There are different types of nail trimmers. Most Shih Tzu owners prefer the guillotine-style clippers. To use these you place the toenail inside the metal loop, align the upper and lower blades with the area to cut, and squeeze the clipper handles. Cut only the very tip of the toenail. If the nail is still too long, continue to carefully remove the end of the nail in small increments.

If you accidentally cut too close, stop the bleeding by applying styptic powder (a clotting powder commercially available from your pet store or veterinarian) or styptic sticks. You can also stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the nail with a clean cloth for five minutes. Invest in a pet electric nail filer to smooth nail tips.