Updated Aug 26, 2022
Cane Corso nails are thick and strong, as you would expect in such a large dog and can be quite sharp.
These nails can be a challenge to keep trimmed and can cause problems if they grow too long.
Aside from consequences for the dog, if not kept well-trimmed, they can scratch surfaces easily.
Why Are Cane Corso Nails A Challenge To Keep Trimmed?
Cane Corso nails can grow very quickly, and if not trimmed on a regular basis, they can become quite long and sharp. In addition, the nails can curve inward, making them difficult to trim without assistance. If not kept trimmed, the nails can cause the dog discomfort and even lead to injuries.
The biggest challenge is the size of the dog. It can be a little intimidating to take the paw of a huge dog and trim its nails. Both from your own point of view, and the fact that you don’t want to hurt your dog.
It is best to put a muzzle on your dog, for the nail trimming session. Not that you would expect him to deliberately bite, but a quick snap can be a reflex reaction if a dog is anxious or fearful or if you accidentally cause a quick pain
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What Are The Consequences Of Not Trimming Cane Corso Nails?
The nails of a Cane Corso should be trimmed on a regular basis. If they are not trimmed, they can grow too long and curl under, which can cause your dog discomfort and pain.
Long nails can also make it difficult for your dog to walk and can increase the risk of developing a nail infection.
How Should Cane Corso Nails Be Trimmed?
The nails should be trimmed so that they are even with the ground.
You should not cut your dog's nails too short, as you may cut into the quick, which will cause them to bleed.
If you do cut them too short, you can use a styptic pen or powder to stop the bleeding.
The Cane Corso’s nail color is important because the darker the nail color, the harder it is to see where the quick begins, and thus easier to make a mistake and cut too far.
Broadly, the nail color is correlated with the coat color . This is because the nail is made up of keratin, which is also found in the coat and the upper layers of the skin.
Like many genetic attributes, if both the dog’s parents have black nails, the puppy is likely to have black nails, too.
What Are Some Tips For Keeping Cane Corso Nails Trimmed?
Cane Corso nails should be trimmed every two to four weeks. The nails can be trimmed with a pair of animal nail clippers. The nails should be trimmed just before the quick, which is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
If the nails are cut into this area, they can bleed.
Which Tool To Cut Cane Corso Nails?
Generally, a guillotine-style nail clipper has been the best option for most dogs, as it allows you to cut the nail at a right angle, making it less likely to nick the quick.
The Cane Corso is a large dog, and nails may become quite thick. If this is the case, or if the nails nave become curved, a larger nail clipper may be necessary.
The Dremel Tool For Trimming Dog's Nails
The Dremel Tool has gained popularity as an alternative way to trim a dog's nails.
In case you have not seen a Dremel tool, it is a small hand-held grinding tool. It can be the perfect tool for the job. It is small and easy to use, and it makes quick work of trimming nails.
The tool is also very safe, because it has no sharp cutting blade. It removes nail material by means of an abrasive surface, a bit like sandpaper.
It is an electric tool, however, which can remove nails material quickly, so a bit of practice is needed, and care must be exercised. The dog might become nervous initially with the noise, and the unfamiliar feeling. But he can quickly get used to it with some encouragement and a treat or two
Remain Calm And Confident
It can be difficult to stay calm and confident when things are not going easily, but it is very important. If you can remain calm, you will be able to think more clearly and do a better job.
You will also appear more in control and confident to your Cane Corso, which can help you to get what you want.
Be Patient With Your Dog
It can be difficult to be patient with our dogs, especially when we're in a hurry. But if we're impatient with them, they're going to be impatient with us.
Just as we need to be patient with our dogs, we also need to cut ourselves some slack and not get stressed. If we allow ourselves to get stressed, we're going to be hard on our dogs.
We need to be patient with both ourselves and our dogs in order to have a good relationship with them.
Be Generous With The Dog Treats
Many people believe that they should be generous with the dog treats, when trimming their dog’s nails. Because dogs love getting treats, they will appreciate the gesture, and it will relieve any stress they are feeling from their nails being trimmed.
They will associate the nail trimming session with good expectations, which will replace or alleviate their anxiety.
In addition, it can help to strengthen the bond between your dog and you. The more he trusts you, the easier nail trimming becomes.
Start Early And Trim Your Dog's Nails Often
The best way to keep your dog's nails trimmed is to start early and do it often.
If you wait until your dog's nails get too long, it can be difficult to get the job done.
Start by getting your dog used to having his or her nails trimmed when they're young. Trim a little bit at a time, and reward your dog with a treat when he or she is calm and relaxed.
How To Get Your Dog Accustomed To Having His Nails Trimmed
There are a few things you can do to get your dog accustomed to having his nails trimmed.
As mentioned above, it is best to start trimming them when he is a puppy. This will help him get used to the sensation of having his nails trimmed and he will not be scared of it when he gets older.
Apart from rewarding him with a treat after every nail or two, make it a habit to give him love and encouragement. Try to help him associate the whole experience of having his nails trimmed with something positive.
How to Stop Dog Nail Bleeding
If you accidentally nick the quick, and your dog's nails start to bleed, you can stop the bleeding by using a styptic pencil, powder, or pad.
A styptic is a substance that helps to stop bleeding. You can buy a styptic pencil, powder, or pad at most pet stores.
To use a styptic, apply it to the nail and hold it in place for a few seconds.
Do Cane Corsos Have Dewclaws?
Cane Corsos do have dewclaws. They are frequently removed when the puppy is young, but some people choose to keep them.
Dewclaws are the fifth toe on a dog's paw and are typically located on the inside of the leg, above the ankle.
Historically, the dewclaws have developed to help the dog grip, when running fast, or climbing, and even when holding down food.
Should You Trim Your Dog's Dewclaw?
If your Cane Corso has dewclaws, they should be trimmed along with his other claws, in exactly the same manner.
Some people think the dewclaw is a special case, and some think trimming the dewclaw can cause problems.
But in fact, if the dewclaw is not trimmed, it will result in just the same issues as the other claws not being trimmed.
So go ahead and trim it, or have it trimmed. If the dewclaw is trimmed carefully, in line with the above guidance for other claws, there should not be any problem.
How To Keep Your Cane Corso Nails Strong
Nails are important for all dogs, but are especially important for larger breeds like the Cane Corso, because the extra weight of such a large breed compounds any problems.
To keep your Cane Corso's nails strong, you should ideally trim them every two weeks. Much like pruning a tree, cutting back helps with continued strong growth.
You can either have a professional do this or learn how to do it yourself.
How To Keep Your Cane Corso Nails Healthy
In addition to trimming the nails regularly and often, it’s Important to give your dog a good diet that includes plenty of protein.
Nails that are well-nourished will be less likely to break or split.
Finally, you can also use a nail-strengthening product on your dog's nails to help keep them healthy and strong.
Dog Supplements For Strong And Healthy Nails
Although nails are such an important component in a dog's good health. many dogs suffer from weak and brittle nails, which can lead to infection and pain.
Fortunately, there are a number of supplements available that can help to strengthen and improve the health of nails.
Some of the most popular nail supplements include fish oil, biotin, and vitamin E.
The dog supplements which are good for skin and coat are also good for the dog's nails.
We looked into this in some depth here:
Best Supplements For Dogs’ Skin And Coat
We were pleasantly surprised by a variety of items which were clearly produced to the highest standards.
How Much Grooming Does A Cane Corso Need?
The Cane Corso is a breed that does not require a lot of grooming, but, in addition to having their nails trimmed, they do need to be brushed regularly and they also need their ears cleaned on a regular basis.
Trimming Our Cane Corsos’ Nails
I have always been very nervous about the idea of clipping our dogs’ nails. Their nails are very dark, pretty much black, and it can be difficult to see where the quick is.
I once trimmed our budgie's claws with a small nail clipper and made the mistake of catching the quick. The poor budgie squawked very loudly, and bled profusely. And I never cut another pet’s nail again.
So our Cane Corsos go to the local boarding kennels to have their nails trimmed. This has been done by the same guy since they were very little. They are completely accustomed to the process and we are in and out in five minutes.
Just like babies and small children, dogs are often better behaved with people other than their parents.
Good luck with trimming your Cane Croso’s nails. If you can’t manage the job yourself, take your dog to a professional. Just be sure to get it done, one way or the other.
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