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Can I trim my dog's paw pads with scissors?
Mozelle Padberg
2025-08-21 11:38:25
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: 16
My grooming school teacher is teaching me to trim the paw pads with round tip scissors, just the hairs that go past the inside of the toes, and only trimming between the toes if we are cutting out a knot. I asked her why we do scissors instead of clippers and she said it's because of the risk of nicking them with the clippers and risk of infection. Although I agree that shaving in between the toes is not always necessary, and the hair actually provides air flow and prevents skin infections, and in certain cases it might better to use the scissors, I find that it takes a very long time, and when the dog is older and finds it uncomfortable to have to be standing, not to mention on three legs, or dogs who are jumpy, and I keep having to pick their foot back up, then focus, then position the scissors, then cut, it just takes an unnecessary amount of time and stresses me out. I've seen on youtube that for the very tiny dogs they just clipper the hair that sticks out without really going in between the toes, which to me looks fast and safe, and less stressful for everyone involved. I appreciate learning how to do it with scissors but I would prefer to learn it with clippers also since all the groomers I've ever seen do it that way and it looks to be a great way to do it. Is there really such a big risk of nicking the dog?
Yolanda Hill
2025-08-10 09:18:21
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: 21
Shears are excellent for precision cutting around sensitive areas, particularly if you’re looking to do more detailed trimming here. They also allow for better control and are less likely to cause pain or discomfort for the dog when grooming these delicate areas. When it comes to blades, a rounded tip is often preferable for paw pad trimming. This reduces the risk of injury or accidental nicks while grooming. Use caution around sensitive areas: Avoid getting too close to the paw pads with sharp tools, and take care not to cut or nick the skin. If your dog has particularly sensitive paws, you may even want to consider using blunt-tipped shears. Be gentle: Remember that grooming is a potentially stressful process for dogs, so try your best to be gentle and patient while working on their paw pads. Size: Naturally, smaller shears are going to be easier to maneuver around sensitive areas like paw pads, so consider a smaller size when choosing your shears. At the same time, make sure the shear is large enough to comfortably fit your hand and provide adequate control.
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Rylee Friesen
2025-07-31 23:11:05
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: 22
Hold your scissors flat against your dog's paw pads and trim any excess fur that is longer than the pads themselves. You can separate the paw pads with your fingers to get the scissors in between these areas. Be very careful not to cut your dog's skin or paw pads. You will need to point the scissors downward in towards the paw pad rather than keeping it parallel. Just be cautious and careful. With your clippers or scissors, carefully trim the excess fur hanging over the edges of the paw. You'll want this edge to be a nice clean cut.