Why you MUST Trim Your Dog’s Nails!

Trimming your dog’s toe nails – IT IS a necessary evil!

Whether dogs like it or not, dogs (and puppies!) need their toenails cut regularly. Dog nails allowed to grow long may become ingrown or torn, and long dewclaws can pierce dogs’ feet. Dogs with long toenails struggle to walk on slippery floors and easily damage fabric and other soft items. If the nails grow too long it can even alter their gait and cause skeletal issues.

Look at your dog’s paws while he or she is standing. If the toenails touch the floor, they need
to be trimmed.
Listen as your dog walks across a hard surface. If you hear the nails clicking on the floor, they need to be cut.
Examine your dog’s paws every few weeks. If the dog is very active, the nails may wear down on their own, but they also may split or tear. Trim or file damaged nails to ensure that the splits do not worsen
Keep track of the time since your dog’s last trim. A puppy needs toenails cut once a week, and older dogs need them cut once every two weeks.
Trim your dog’s dewclaws at the same time as you trim the other toenails. The dewclaws are located just above the dog’s paws on the inside of the legs, and they do not reach the floor, so you will never hear them clicking. Remember to cut them with the other nails.