Nail trimming for Chihuahuas can be a nightmare for all of us, because we dread the prospect of wrestling with them and possibly cutting the nail too short in the process. Accidents like this are much more likely to happen if your Chihuahua misbehaves. The experience will also leave you feeling anxious, guilty, and dreading the task just as much as your dog.
Although it is possible to tranquilize your Chihuahua to trim his nails, this is an unnecessary risk, and it is probable that the job will be done far less often than desirable.
Walking on long nails will damage his feet by stretching out the ligaments and making him permanently flat footed. Long nails easily become caught or broken, causing painful injuries. Such accidents will make a fearful Chihuahua even more phobic about having his feet touched.
To trim your Chihuahua’s nails use either large toenail clippers or small guillotine-type dog nail clippers. A Chihuahua’s nails are thin enough to trim with human nail clippers and many owners find them easier to use. When using pet nail clippers, hook the nail tip through the circular opening and firmly squeeze the handle. The blade must be clean and sharp to cut through the nail. A dull blade will squeeze the nail, pinch the quick, and leave a ragged edge. Replace the blade or the clipper once a year.
Puppies have very sharp nails and may need weekly trimming to prevent them from getting caught in fabrics and carpeting. This is excellent training for both of you. It also encourages the quick of the nails to recede. The quick is an area of live tissue extending along the center of each nail. The outer and middle layers of the nail have no feeling, but the quick is sensitive and well supplied with blood vessels. Accidentally nicking this center layer is painful and will cause bleeding.
The quick can be seen as a pink line running through the center of white nails, but you must estimate its location in black nails, which makes them more challenging to trim. If your Chihuahua has a few of each, do the light-colored nails first and use that length as a guide. If his nails are all black, trim just a tiny bit off at a time.
If you accidentally trim a nail too short, dip it into clotting powder or apply pressure and ice to the nail to stop the bleeding. Soaking the foot or holding it under running water will prevent the blood from clotting.
Some dogs are more willing to accept having their nails shortened with a grinder, a rotating tool that sands off the hard outer layer of the nail. When grinding a Chihuahua’s nails use very-fine-grade sandpaper rather than a stone cylinder.
Familiarize him with the sound and vibration of the grinder before you attempt to do his nails. Start by holding him on your lap and turning on the grinder a few inches away from him. Reward him with treats and praise as you turn it on and off a few times. Practice this introduction for two or three days until he ignores it and focuses on eating his treats.
To grind your Chihuahua’s nails, hold him on your lap, lift one paw, and use your thumb to apply slight pressure to spread the toes slightly apart. Touch the rotating cylinder to the underside of the nail tip for a second. Stop to reward him and check the results. Repeat the process until the nail is the desired length and the bottom of the nail tip is as smooth as possible. At first you may need to reward him after you do each nail.
Dewclaws: Most Chihuahuas have their dewclaws removed a few days after birth. These are rudimentary toes located high on the inside of the leg. Most commonly found on the front legs, some dogs also have them on the rear legs. If your Chihuahua’s dewclaws have not been removed, these nails must be trimmed more frequently because they are not subjected to normal wear. Dewclaw removal is a complicated, painful surgery for adult dogs and therefore not recommended.