Can you hear your dog’s toenails clicking on the ground as he walks? If not, your dog’s nails are the proper length for his health and longevity. Continue with any activity that keeps them worn down. If the answer is yes, and you can hear them clicking on the bare floor, then your dog’s nails are too long. Is this a big deal? Yes, at the very least, it causes your dog pain and a possible vet bill. In the worst case, it can cause arthritis and premature death in your dog.
It’s a common misconception that trimming a dog’s nail tips once or twice a year is enough. If you can hear a click, it’s not doing the job. Just like in humans, dog nails never stop growing. But, unlike humans, their rapids (the part supplied with blood) continue to grow. If the dog does not regularly trim or trim the nails naturally, the nails will get longer and longer and eventually this will cause the dog to step incorrectly and/or the nails to grow directly into the nails. dog pad. Nails growing into the pad can cause a painful infection that, if left untreated, can kill the dog. Long, straight nails cause an incorrect step, throwing your hips and back out of alignment and leading to premature aging and arthritis. How many old dogs have you seen that have super long nails that can’t walk or stand up normally? These dogs suffer terribly, and if they cannot walk, they soon die.
You have three options when it comes to trimming your dog’s nails. You can start exercising your dog on asphalt or hard surfaces to file the nails naturally. You can trim your own dog’s nails at home. Twenty percent of dog owners are allowed to keep their dogs’ nails trimmed at home. Chances are you’re in the 80% of owners who take their dog to a professional groomer or vet to have their nails trimmed. If you have a dog with nails that curl (like a cocker spaniel or shih tzu), exercise won’t be enough if your dog has dewclaws. Dewclaws are most likely to grow on the dog’s pad or skin. If your dog has straight, growing nails (Shepherds, Boxers, Labradors), then exercise alone may be enough. There are several types of nail clippers (and dremels) you can choose from to trim your dog’s nails at home. If you hit the quick and the nail is bleeding, you can use styptic powder (available from the barber) or packed starch or flour on the nail to stop the bleeding. Whichever method you use, it’s helpful to know that the dog’s rapids will recede from the edge of the nail 1/8 to ¼ inch naturally within days of trimming. This is why dogs that run every day never have bleeding nails and never need to have their nails trimmed.
How do you get nails to the correct length in a human way? Trim the nails (that means ¼ inch ahead of the quick) every 5 to 10 days until the length of the nail is back where it should be, not clicking on the floor when the dog walks. It is normal for the stylist to cut the nails too short if the goal is to get more than ‘just the tips’. It’s better for your dog’s long-term health to have a groomer consistently cut too short, rather than the alternative.
Nail clicking is an easy telltale sign for all dog owners to judge whether or not their dog has the optimal nail length for his long-term health and happiness. It is up to the owner to take action for the welfare of their four-legged friend. Once your dog’s nails have receded to the optimal length, maintain your dog’s nail length. The average maintenance schedule for the average dog owner is the monthly trim. Each dog has a different growth pattern and exercise habit. Remember, be a conscientious dog owner, enjoy a long life and optimal health for your dog – listen to the click.
Copyright 2010 DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
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