Clipping Or Trimming Your Pet's Nails

Not clipping your pet's nails can give them overgrown nails that will drag on the ground and make walking or running uncomfortable. This can cause soreness, not just in the paw, but further up the leg as well. It can lead to crippling pain in your pet's paws and cause permanent damage. Also, clipping or trimming your cat's claws is the most humane answer to de-clawing. It will keep them from scratching your furniture and things up, especially if you file the nails as well, which is recommended for both dogs and cats. The filing rounds off the nails of your pet, so that they aren't so sharp.
Trimming your dog's nails:
Knowing not just how but when to cut your dog's nails is important. His nails grow constantly and how often they need to be clipped will depend on a where he does most of his walking. If he walks on a lot of hard surfaces and roads, he might not need a lot of nail clipping, because the friction of walking on hard surfaces will naturally wear away at his nails.
However, if your dog does most of his walking on grass or softer surfaces like forests or beaches, clipping his nails is going to be essential to his health and well being. It's part of their grooming, and your dog might very well need his nails clipped every couple of weeks. If he walks across the linoleum or a hard surface and you hear his nails clicking, it's time for a trim.
Dogs are often unwilling to have their nails clipped, so starting the process at a very young age to get them used to it is a good idea. If your dog is older, you can get him used to it in exactly the same way as you would a puppy.
You can get your dog used to having his nails trimmed by first simply holding him and stroking his paws. Then advance to light pressure on his paws and nails and even lightly pinching his nails between your finger and thumb. Praise him when he lets you do all this and doesn't try to get away.
Gently trim a couple of nails each day. Just trim off a little of the nail at first, as this lessens the chances of you cutting the quick and scaring your dog of ever having his nails trimmed again. The quick is easy to see in white nails. Dark nails are harder, as it's hard to tell where the quick is until you've cut it. So when trimming dark nails, go slowly and only trim the curved part of the nail. File your dog's nails down a little each day as well, getting him used to it. That way, his nails aren't so sharp and won't scratch up your furniture or you.
Talk to him the entire time you are trimming his nails, and make sure to praise him right afterward. Your dog wants to please you, and letting him know you are pleased will teach him to hold still while you trim his nails. Your dog will gradually grow accustomed to having his nails trimmed, and will learn to put up with it.
Trimming your cat's nails:
Start with a relaxed and sleepy cat. Put him in your lap, and stroke his paws. Since cats can retract their claws, gently press his paws between your finger and thumb to expose the nail. Do this for several days, then progress to lightly trimming his nails, if he will let you. You're going to need sharp clippers, and people fingernail or toenail clippers can be used.
Pet him and stroke him, and if necessary, only do one or two nails at a time. You might also want to file his nails, as it will keep him from scratching on your furniture or other household items.
With practice, both you and your pet will learn that nail trims really aren't that bad. They are a necessary part of the grooming process, and can be pain-free both for you and your pet.