The best way to tell when a dog’s nails need cutting is to look and listen. Look for a curved nail tip, as nails naturally curve when left too long. You should also check to see if the nails are touching the ground when your dog is standing.
Listen for the sound of nails clicking on the floor when your dog is walking. If you can hear nails clicking on the ground when your dog walks, that’s a good sign that the nails need to be clipped. Other signs of nails that need to be cut include dewclaw nails growing into grown into the paw pads, or if the nails begin to curl and grow in a circle.
Also check the area around the nail bed – if the area looks red and inflamed, then this is a sign that the nails need to be trimmed. To ensure your dog’s comfort, it’s important to keep nails at a healthy and appropriate length.
Regular nail trimming helps keep their nails healthy and prevents issues down the road.
How often should a dog’s nails be trimmed?
Generally, a dog’s nails should be trimmed approximately every 3-4 weeks. This depends on how often your dog is walking on hard surfaces such as pavement, as this will help keep their nails short naturally.
If your dog is not going on frequent walks, you may need to trim their nails more frequently. If a dog’s nails become overly long, they can cause them discomfort and even pain when walking or running.
Be sure to use a pair of high-quality nail clippers designed specifically for dogs. As you are trimming your dog’s nails, make sure to avoid the quick, which is the pink part of the nail, as this can cause pain and possible bleeding.
Whenever in doubt, it is best to seek help from a professional groomer or vet.
What happens if you don’t cut your dog’s nails?
If you don’t cut your dog’s nails, the nails will continue to grow until they curl inwards and grow into the paw pad and cause your dog pain and discomfort. Additionally, long nails can also affect your pet’s gait and cause them to develop poor posture due to the unnatural movement required to cope with the overgrown nails.
If left untreated, the toenails can lead to infections and secondary problems such as damaged paws due to the pressure, soreness and even cracked nails. In extreme cases, a dog’s healing process may be hindered due to the pressure of their overgrown toenails.
Furthermore, not cutting a dog’s nails can lead to claw deformities. To prevent this, it is important to keep the nails trimmed and maintain healthy paw pads.
Does walking your dog shorten their nails?
Yes, walking your dog regularly can help to keep their nails trimmed. When your dog walks on hard surfaces like pavement or concrete, the nails come into contact with the ground and gradually become worn down.
This helps to keep their nails from becoming overgrown. Additionally, having a dog walker come to your house to take your pup out for regular walks can help you to keep your pup’s nails trimmed. The dog walker can also trim your pup’s nails during the walks if needed.
Grooming your dog and trimming their nails regularly can also help to keep their nails in check.
How do I know if my dogs nails are overgrown?
Firstly, you can inspect the nails regularly by looking at them, feeling them and listening for any clicking noises on the ground when your dog walks. If you can see that the nails are curling around, coming into contact with the floor or growing too long, it is likely that they are overgrown.
Additionally, if you can hear a clicking noise when your dog walks, this could also be an indication that the nails are overgrown. In some cases, the nails can reach a length that causes discomfort or pain for the dog, so it is important to check them regularly.
If you’re not sure about the length of your dog’s nails, you can also have a groomer or vet take a look and make a recommendation.