Use a soothing voice to keep her calm as you gently rub her paws. Then focus on the toes, giving each one a soft squeeze. Next apply gentle pressure to the nail itself. If your dog becomes scared or pulls back her paw, stop for a bit and continue only when she settles down.
Table of Contents
How do I sedate my dog to clip his nails?
- Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps keep your pet calm when it is nervous about clipping its nails.
- Melatonin supplements: Help regulate body rhythm and help calm down your dog.
How can I sedate my dog for grooming at home?
Dog sedative for grooming You can try using the medication Benadryl, which contains the ingredient diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used primarily for allergies, and in humans and in dogs, it can act as a mild tranquilizer.
How do I immobilize my dog for grooming?

What is a natural sedative for a dog?
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) โ Valerian is the most widely recognized herbal sedative. It’s safe and gentle and calms the nerves. It also promotes physical relaxation. Use it for stressful events or if your dog gets hysterical or overexcitable.
Can I give my dog Benadryl to clip his nails?
Give Them Benadryl It’s not meant for heavy daily use, but will greatly help ease your dog’s nerves when it’s time to trim their nails. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises that dogs take 2-4 milligrams of Benadryl per kilogram of their weight. This may mean you break a pill apart into a smaller piece.
How do you groom an uncooperative dog?

What do groomers give dogs to calm them?
Trazodone. Trazodone can both sedate a dog and relieve anxiety. This is a good dog sedative for grooming, veterinary visits, thunderstorms/fireworks, and other short-term stressful events.
How do groomers keep a dog still?
If and when a vet writes a prescription of sedatives for a dog’s grooming session, then the groomer can use those to keep a dog still.
How do you groom a bad tempered dog?
Keep grooming sessions short until a dog is comfortable in the new surroundings. To eliminate your dog’s sense of uneasiness, it is important to make them grow comfortable with the groomer and grooming equipment. Let them sniff the grooming area for a while followed by a reward and praise.
How much Benadryl can I give my dog to sedate?
The usual dosage is about 1 mg per pound, two to three times daily. Veterinarians often recommend that people start with a half dose to see how much it sedates the dog the first time.
How much does it cost to sedate a dog for nail trimming?
Any testing or exam fees that accompany your dog’s sedation will be added to the bill. Hyperactive, anxious, or aggressive dogs can also undergo sedation for routine vet visits, grooming, and nail trimming. The cost of sedation at the groomer can cost anywhere from $45-$100, depending on your dog’s weight.
Will Benadryl make my dog sleepy?
Common side effects associated with using Benadryl for dogs include: Drowsiness. Dry mouth. Urinary retention.
Do groomers sedate dogs to groom them?
General Anesthesia: For critical cases, the dog may require to be put under general anesthesia for the grooming. Of course, this is done at the vet’s office. This is frequently done in cases of overly troublesome dogs or when there may be pain or the need for the dog to remain still for extended periods of time.
Is there an over-the-counter tranquilizer for dogs?
There are no over-the-counter medications specifically marketed as dog tranquilizers. However, many folks take advantage of the sedative effect of antihistamines like Benadryl.
How do groomers deal with anxious dogs?
Desensitizing their pet to grooming sounds โ Desensitization is an effective technique for treating animal anxiety. For grooming, this can involve running nail clippers or a blow dryer next to the pet in short intervals and rewarding them with a treat afterwards.
Can I give my dog Benadryl to calm him down for grooming?
You can give a dog Benadryl, but it is not the best solution for when you need to calm him down. While Benadryl is generally safe for dogs in correct doses, this shouldn’t be your first option when dealing with a very active, or even an anxious, dog.
Can groomers handle difficult dogs?
Some dogs can be aggressive in grooming situations because they’re afraid. Dogs act aggressive in situations where they are confused or afraid, and a good groomer will make your aggressive dog feel comfortable before beginning to groom.
Is it better to cut dogs hair wet or dry?
Unlike people, who get haircuts with wet hair, always start with a dry, clean dog, Benesch said, and only use the tips of sharp shears to trim your dog’s feet, face and tail, which will prevent you from cutting your dog if she moves suddenly.
How do you calm a hyper dog for grooming?
- Teach obedience. Work on obedience commands such as ‘stay’, ‘sit-stay’ and ‘down-stay’ when not grooming so that your dog learns self control.
- Exercise before grooming.
- Dont punish.
- Many short sessions.
- Distract.
- Reinforce calm behavior.
How do you clip an aggressive dog?

Can Benadryl hurt my dog?
Diphenhydramine (Benadrylยฎ), cetirizine (Zyrtecยฎ), and loratadine (Claritinยฎ) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions. Antihistamines are usually safe but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive.
How long does Benadryl take to kick in for dogs?
It will usually take 30 minutes for Benadryl to take full effect, and you want your pup calm and anxious-free. In terms of what form of Benadryl, that’s entirely up to your vet. It doesn’t really matter if you use the brand name medication or not.
What kind of Benadryl should I buy for my dog?
Benadryl Tablets Most diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets are 25 mg, which would be the appropriate size for a 25-pound dog. Smaller dogs will require you to cut or divide these 25-mg pills. In this case, children’s Benadryl in the chewable tablets may be a good option. These come in dosages of 12.5 mg.
How much melatonin can I give my dog?
Yes, melatonin is safe for dogs when administered properly. Melatonin is a natural sleep aid that can also help dogs with separation anxiety and stress. For dosing, the recommendation is 1 mg of melatonin per 20 pounds your dog weighs. It takes about 30 minutes for the effects of melatonin to kick in.