The living blood vessel and nerve inside a pet's nail, visible as a pink area in light-colored nails. Cutting into the quick causes pain and bleeding in dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.
Identifying the quick is essential for safe nail trimming across all species. In dark nails, trim conservatively in small increments.
In dark nails, look at the nail underside — the quick appears as a dark circle. Trim only the hooked tip in front of this point.