Dog nail care

Caring for your dog's nail health is part of a dog owner's daily routine. But what does it actually involve?

Monitoring

It's a good idea to regularly check the length of your dog's nails. This often happens almost automatically while petting your dog: a relaxed pup enjoying a belly rub won’t even notice when you discreetly check the condition of its paws. It’s important to teach your dog from a young age to allow you to touch its paws and nails—this will make paw care much easier when the dog is an adult.

When are the nails too long?

There are breed-specific and individual differences in the shapes of nails and paw pads, but as a general rule, the nails are too long if they touch the ground when the dog is standing in a normal position.

What are the drawbacks of long nails?

Too long nails cause pain for the dog. They can twist the paw into an unnatural position or even grow into a "hook" that presses into the paw pad, causing painful sores. A well-maintained short nail is also more resistant to normal wear and tear, reducing the risk of splitting and damaging the nail’s outer layer. If your dog wears booties, excessively long nails can press uncomfortably against the bootie and even damage it.

How to trim the nails?

Dog nails are trimmed with clippers designed specifically for dogs, available in various models and sizes. For puppies, only the sharp tip of the nail should be trimmed to avoid accidents and prevent the puppy from getting scared. This way, the little puppy learns that nail care is nothing to fear. Reward the puppy with praise and treats after trimming the nails, and follow up with a fun play session. This makes the process enjoyable for the puppy and makes future nail care easier.

Depending on the size of the dog, the proper way to hold the dog varies. A small dog can be held in your lap, while a larger dog can stay on the floor. Having someone gently but firmly hold the dog can also make the trimming easier.

The outer part of a dog’s nail is made of keratin, and inside is the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. If you cut the nail too short, the quick will break, causing the dog momentary pain and bleeding. There are home remedies for stopping the bleeding, such as cooling the nail with snow, ice, or cold water. You can also place some potato starch or baking soda in a small bag and dip the dog's paw into it for five minutes. There are also proper products available for this issue, which you can find at petstores, veterinary clinics, and pharmacies. These can be a useful addition to your dog’s home first-aid kit! Typically, the bleeding stops quickly, but if it continues after 15 minutes, you should contact a vet.

If you accidentally cut too much, remember to stay calm. Dogs are highly sensitive to their owner’s behavior and may become even more frightened if the owner panics.

Practice makes perfect! Nail trimming isn’t rocket science, and you’ll get the hang of it if you trim a little at a time and do it often. However, if the process feels too difficult, you can visit a vet or a pet store that offers nail trimming services to ensure your dog's nails are regularly taken care of.

When the nails are the right length, your dog can walk comfortably on various surfaces, and there’s no reason to avoid using booties either.
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