How to Trim Dog Paw Hair: 6 Vet-Approved Steps

Certain dog breeds naturally have long fur which can make their paw hair appear overgrown. Although dogs need paw hair for protection, it can benefit from a trim when it starts bothering your dog. You might consider trimming your dog's paw hair for various reasons. Long paw hair can make your dog look unkempt, get dirty easily, and make them slip around on smooth surfaces.

You generally don’t need to trim your dog’s paw hair if it isn’t causing any issues or interfering with their appearance. If you decide to trim it, this article will explain how you can do it in six simple steps.

Before You Start

The 6 Steps to Trim a Dog’s Paw Hair

1. Keep Your Dog Calm and Occupied

It will be challenging to trim your dog's paw hair if they are constantly moving around or won’t allow you to touch their paw. This is why you should first get your dog to calm down and approach them when they are relaxed. You don’t want to risk injuring your dog during the trim if they are moving around. You'll be working with sharp scissors or clippers that could nick the delicate parts of their paws.

It is best to trim their paw hair after they have been exercised or tired out from playtime. They should be lying down, but not sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep them occupied with a chew toy or tasty snack if it gets them to allow you to handle their paws.

2. Use the Right Tools

Using the right tools to trim your dog's paw hair can make it a quick and easy process for all involved. You don’t want to waste your time hacking away at their paw hair with blunt scissors, nor do you want to scare them with noisy clippers. A small fine-toothed comb will also come in handy for combing through their paw hair.

You can choose between scissors or clippers to trim their paw hair. You might find that clippers are easier to use on large dog breeds, while a small pair of scissors will suffice for small breeds. The scissors you choose should have your dog’s safety in mind while being sharp and precise. You ideally want scissors that have rounded tips and sharp blades that won’t pull their sensitive paw hair with each cut. Some good options would be the Chibuy professional pet or the Pet Magasin grooming scissors.

When it comes to clippers, you want something small and silent.

3. Comb Out the Hair That Needs Trimming

Before you start trimming your dog's paw hair, you will need to comb out the hair first. A fine-toothed comb will be useful as it can effectively comb out any knots that would create an uneven trim. Furthermore, a fine-toothed comb can be used as a guide when trimming your dog’s paw hair, so you don’t cut too close to their paw pads or skin.

If the paw hair is dirty, you could use a dog-safe wet wipe to remove it or give the paws a wash using doggy shampoo. Dirt buildup can make it difficult to trim the paw hair easily and evenly even with the best tools.

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4. Trim Along Their Paws Pattern

Instead of trimming the hair in perfectly straight cuts, try following the paw's natural shape instead. This will also keep your dogs’ paws looking neat and won’t make them stand out with unnatural hair shapes. Afterward, you can use a fine-toothed comb to neaten the hair and trim any imperfections with scissors.

5. Apply a Moisturizing Balm or Oil

Trimming your dogs’ paws can be irritating to their paw pads or skin, so a moisturizing balm or oil can be soothing. You should only be using a dog-safe moisturizing balm, ideally one that is made for a dog’s paws. If you don’t want to apply anything too fancy, a small dab of organic coconut oil will do the trick.

6. Reward Them With Treats

Regardless of how well-behaved your dog was after having their paw hair trimmed, they probably deserve a treat. This can help even the most anxious dog feel a bit calmer afterward and can be used to reward good behavior.

Conclusion

Keeping your dog's paw hair trimmed can do wonders for their overall appearance and stop them from slipping and sliding on smooth flooring. Plus, that long paw hair likely gathered a lot of dirt and debris that got tracked around the home or dirtied their paws.

Most long-haired dogs may need their paw hair trimmed regularly, so it should be done as part of their grooming routine. It is good to get your dog used to having their paw hair trimmed from a young age and always ensure it is a positive experience.

• See also: What Is a Dog Sanitary Trim?

Featured Image Credit: PixieMe, Shutterstock