Whilst many outdoor pets will wear their nails down naturally, elderly and indoor pets will probably need some extra help. The requirement for nail trimming can vary depending on breed, age, level of exercise and the environment in which your pet is kept.
Just like human nails, dog claws grow constantly. How often a dog's nails need to be cut will depend on the breed and lifestyle, which can change with age. Many dogs naturally wear their nails down by walking and play, especially if the walk involves hard surfaces. An inactive dog may not wear their nails down.
In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Since your dog is likely not running around in the wilderness all day, you may need to walk them on concrete to help keep their nails at a reasonable length.
When you go for walks together, hard surfaces such as the pavement will naturally wear your dog's nails down, which leaves you with very little work to do. However, if your dog's nails aren't looking after themselves, their untrimmed nails can break, bleed or even grow into their feet, causing them a lot of discomfort.
All animals rely upon information from nerves in their feet to move through the world and process gravity accurately. For millions of years, wild dogs have run long distances while hunting, and worn their nails short. The only time their toenails would touch the ground was when climbing a hill.
Taking your dog for regular walks, including on hard surfaces such as pavements, will help to shorten their claws, but may not be enough to keep them as short as they should be.
Adding some hard ground or pavement walking to your daily routine can be enough to keep your dog's nails trim and mean you won't need to clip them. But if your dog is small and light, they may not weigh enough for their nails to wear down naturally through exercise.
As long nails hit the ground, it puts force on the foot and leg structure. This force can potentially lead to arthritis and ongoing pain. The growth pattern of a dog's nails forms a curved shape. If left untrimmed, the claws will eventually curve under the dog's paws and dig into the skin, creating pain when they walk.
Not only does cutting a dog's nails too short cause them pain, but leaving them to grow too long can be even more painful. For instance, long nails can cause a dog to lose traction in their paw, making it easier for them to slip and fall, causing additional pain than that from the nail alone.
The good news is that when you clip your dog's nail too short, you can stop the bleeding in three easy steps. The bad news is that hitting the quick is painful for your dog, nerve-wracking for you, and a bloody mess. It's an event you and your dog are likely to remember when it comes time for the next nail trim.
Nails that are too long can cause a dog to slip and fall more easily. Long nails cause a dog to place their feet differently, in a “plantigrade” position. In other words the nails “push” the dogs toes up and the “heel” comes down to balance, placing strain on the muscles and ligaments in the legs.
Keeping your dog's nails trimmed consistently is very important, because a lack of regular nail trimming can cause an overgrown quick. Without regular nail care, the quick will advance inside the nail and may even advance enough to match the end of the nail's outer shell!
Generally, your dog's nails shouldn't touch the ground when he's standing upright on all four feet. There is no hard and fast rule as to how far from the floor those nails should be; it varies from dog to dog. If the nails click on the floor, they are usually too long.
One of the most common foot issues in domestic dogs is long toenails. Ideally, the nails should not touch the ground when standing on a firm level surface, but are long enough to provide traction when climbing a hill or digging.
How to Tell If Your Dog's Nails Are Too Long. The rule of thumb is that if they are clicking on the floor, causing discomfort, or interrupting mobility, they are overgrown. Several problems can occur when the quick and nail overgrow: The nails become frail and fracture easily.
A dog's aversion to having their paws handled is instinctive – in the wild, a wounded paw could be the difference between life and death. Naturally, dogs feel the need to protect their paws and even the sweetest, most well-trained dogs can react negatively to a nail trim.
For overgrown dog nails, you'll need to clip long nails weekly. This gives the quick time to recede toward the paw. Once your dog's nails are finally at an acceptable length, keep trimming back his nails on a weekly basis. If you skip a week or two, your dog's nails will start touching the ground.
The average dog should have his nails clipped every three to four weeks, but it should be done as often as needed to keep the nail from touching the ground when your dog is standing.
Unless there is a medical reason not to sedate your dog, your vet should be able to do a sedated trim. Being sedated should make the nail trim process less traumatic for your pup.
Essentially, the farther away you get from a natural surface, the more you can expect your doggo to avoid it. Here is a list of the top problem floorings: Polished marble floors. Smooth hardwood floors (there are some hardwoods that are more distressed and easier for your pup to get a grip)
Does Cutting a Dog's Quick Hurt? Yes. The quick is nerve and it will be painful if it's cut. That's why a dog will pull their paw away if their quick is cut and some will also whine or cry.
The trick to getting quicks to recede is to get as close to the quick as possible without nicking it. Focus on the cutting angles (diagram at tip no. 6). Each time you cut or dremel the nail, the quick will recede shorter and shorter.