At the time of this writing, we have almost a dozen articles on nail trims here on our blog. Nail trims are important to me, because when I worked as a dog groomer, I witnessed a lot of suffering that could have been avoided with a simple trim.
Long nails can push your dog’s foot out of alignment with the rest of the body, putting added strain on all of their joints. As the neglect continues, nails can be forced to twist sideways. Because the nail is twisting, the whole toe has to twist also.
Left unchecked, the paw is permanently deformed into a twisted shape, even if the nails are cut later and kept that way.
Some dogs are prone to curling nails, and with curling nails comes the risk of the nails growing into the paw pad. In one of the worst cases of nail trim neglect I’ve seen, I referred a Pomeranian to a veterinarian because the nail was grown through the paw pad, out the top of the nail, and back around into the paw pad a second time.
Finally, nails that are left too long are more prone to breaking. Long nails are more likely to catch on carpeting or in underbrush outside, or simply to break from the force of a toe pushing against the length of the nail.
Benefits of Short Nails
Keeping your dog’s nails short instantly removes the risk of deformity and nails growing through the paw pad. It greatly reduces the risk of breakage and stress on the joints. It also benefits your dog in a few other ways. The biggest being:
- Better Traction
- Reduces damage to floors and furniture
- Fewer injuries to you from scratching
Does your dog need a nail trim?
Most dogs need nail trims. Our pets have gone from traveling for miles as working dogs, and even farther as their wolf ancestor, to chilling on carpets and taking leisurely walks.
That being said, not all dogs need nail trims. Some dogs, especially those who spend a lot of time exercising on hard surfaces, or who have a more upright foot structure, may not need a nail trim.
You can evaluate your dog’s nails by trying to slide a piece of paper under the nails while the dog is standing normally. If you can slide a piece of paper under their nails without it snagging on the nail, they are usually short enough.
If you’re not sure, ask your groomer. They will be happy to look at your dog’s nails and let you know if they can be shortened, and if so by how much.
Similar Posts:
- How Often Should You Trim Your Dog’s Nails?
- How to Trim Your Chihuahua’s Nails
- Alfie and the Clippers of Doom
- What To Do When Your Dog Breaks Their Nail
- What is the Alternative Cut Line?
