I need to clip my 8 year old golden retriever's nails; how far back into the nail do I cut??

you need to look at the nail and see where the inside of the nail turns pink. the pink part is where the dog's paw actually attaches to the nail.





cut about 1/4'; above that line. no less. you don't wanna get too close.





if the nail is black, cut a minimal amount. about a 1/4';.I need to clip my 8 year old golden retriever's nails; how far back into the nail do I cut??
The older a dog gets the thicker and more brittle the nails get. I am a dog groomer so I trim nails everyday. If your dog's nails are black and you can't see the vein inside, take off the point first, then just take layers off until you see that the nail is solid inside. It will have dead skin and dirt inside usually or it may be hollow. Thin layers for black nails is the best way to not quick your dog. If you can see the vein inside then clip one-eighth of an inch before the vein and you should be ok. If he does start to bleed you can use Quick stop if you have it, if not use flour or cornstarch from the kitchen cabinet they work just as well. Take your finger wet it and dip into the powder then hold over the nail if you have cut it too short and apply pressure for about 20 seconds and it should help the blood clot and your dog should be ok.....I need to clip my 8 year old golden retriever's nails; how far back into the nail do I cut??
If you look at the dogs paws closely you will see where the nails protude from the fleshy part of the paw, follow this until it gets lighter in color, leaving a little part of this lighter part then cut it above that point. In the darker part you will cause bleeding and pain to the animal. Good luck, if you still have a problem a vet could be the answer or a good groomer can do it as well.
on dogs' nails, there is a pink line. you have to cut as close to the pink as you can get without hitting it. if you cut the pink your doggie's nail will bleed and bleed for a long time! if you don't feel comfortable cutting your dogs nails, your vet will probably be able to do it for you.


hope this helps.
just cut it to the quick,that is the red part in his nail. the quick is where the vein of the nail is. dont cut it because the nail will start to bleed. if ur dog has light colored nails, u will be able to see it. if it has dark colored nails, i'd take ur dog to a groomer to do it because it's impossible to find the quick.
if the nails are white you will be able to see the vien the pink area do not nick it if the nails are black take little amounts off as not to nick the vein in either case have some flour or baking soda handy in case you get blood just pack with the powder and it will quit
One of my dogs has black nails so with her I only cut the curve part off. When I take her to the vets I have them give them a good clip, I'm a wimp when it comes to clipping nails so I leave it to them.
dont go back in to the quick... which is the littel pink meaty part in the middle of the nail... if your not too sure take him to a groomer and they can probably show you better then anyone can tell you
If you look at the nail, you should see a vein inside each one. You have to be careful not to cut that vein, or there will be a lot of bleeding.





Good LUCK
Do you have a dremel? One of those little tools that spins around fast? Put a file canister on it and file them instead of cutting them.
you should get peticure the hole where you put it in will get smaller till the hole is to small.