Nail trimming should avoid cutting into the quick to prevent bleeding.

Nail trimming should avoid cutting into the quick to prevent bleeding.

• A. It is important to avoid cutting into the quick.
• B. It is safe to cut into the quick.
• C. Only in puppies.
• D. It never bleeds.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that nails have a living section called the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into the quick causes bleeding and pain for the animal, so the safest approach is to trim only the tip of the nail and avoid going into that living tissue. When trimming, work in small increments and periodically check the nail length. For light-colored nails you can often see the quick as a pink area and stop before you reach it; for dark nails you trim a little at a time and assess frequently to avoid hitting the quick. If a nail is already long, you may need several short trims over a few sessions to gradually bring it down without hitting the quick. Using a proper nail trimmer, stabilizing the paw, and trimming after a short walk when nails are softer can help. If you do accidentally trim into the quick, apply pressure with a styptic powder or similar product to stop the bleeding and soothe the animal. Regular, careful trims reduce the length of the quick over time, making future trims safer.

The main idea is that nails have a living section called the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into the quick causes bleeding and pain for the animal, so the safest approach is to trim only the tip of the nail and avoid going into that living tissue. When trimming, work in small increments and periodically check the nail length. For light-colored nails you can often see the quick as a pink area and stop before you reach it; for dark nails you trim a little at a time and assess frequently to avoid hitting the quick. If a nail is already long, you may need several short trims over a few sessions to gradually bring it down without hitting the quick. Using a proper nail trimmer, stabilizing the paw, and trimming after a short walk when nails are softer can help. If you do accidentally trim into the quick, apply pressure with a styptic powder or similar product to stop the bleeding and soothe the animal. Regular, careful trims reduce the length of the quick over time, making future trims safer.