Can you hear your dog’s toenails clicking on the ground as he walks? If not, your dog’s nails are the right length for his health and longevity. Keep up with whatever activities keep them worn out. 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 problem? Yes, at the very least, it causes your dog pain and a possible vet bill. At worst, it can cause arthritis and premature death in your dog.

It is a common misconception that it is enough to cut the tips of a dog’s nails once or twice a year. If you can hear a click, you are not doing the job. As in humans, dog nails never stop growing. But, unlike humans, their rapids (the part provided with blood) continue to grow. If the dog does not cut or pinch the nails naturally on a regular basis, the nails get longer and longer and eventually this will cause the dog to tread improperly and / or the nails to grow directly into the nails. dog pad. Nails growing on the pad can cause a painful infection that, if left untreated, can end the dog’s life. Long, straight nails cause the wrong step, misaligning the hips and back and leading to premature aging and arthritis. How many old dogs have you seen that have super long nails that cannot walk or get 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 can keep their dogs’ nails trimmed at home. You are most likely one of the 80% of owners who take their dog to a professional groomer or vet to have its nails trimmed. If you have a dog with curling nails (like a cocker spaniel or shih tzu), exercise will not 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 sufficient. There are several types of nail clippers (and dremels) that you can choose from for trimming your dog’s nails at home. If you hit the fast and the nail is bleeding, you can use styptic powder (available from the hairdresser) or starch or flour packed into the nail to stop the bleeding. Whichever method you use, it helps to know that dog rapids will recede from the nail edge 1/8 to 1/4 inch naturally within days of cutting. This is the reason why dogs that run every day never have bleeding nails and never need to have their nails trimmed.

How do you get the nails to the correct length in a human way? Trim the nails (that means ¼ inch ahead of the fast) every 5 to 10 days until the nail length is back where it should be, without clicking the floor when the dog walks. It is normal for the hairdresser to cut the nails too short if the goal is to get more than ‘just the tips’. It is better for your dog’s long-term health to have a groomer who consistently cuts too short, rather than the alternative.

Clicking nails is an easy tell-tale sign for all dog owners to judge whether or not their dog has the optimal nail length for their long-term health and happiness. It is up to the owner to take action for the well-being of his four-legged friend. Once your dog’s nails have receded to the optimal length, maintain the length of your dog’s nails. The average maintenance schedule for the average dog owner is the monthly trim. Every dog ​​has a different growth pattern and exercise habit. Remember, be a conscientious dog owner, enjoy a long life and optimal health of your dog – listen to the click.

Copyright 2010 DuAnn Lustig-Chambers

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