Pet Nail Trimming

Trimming your dog’s nails may seem like an inconvenience, but it’s actually essential to your dog’s overall health. Here’s why trimming your dog’s nails is important, and a few different ways that you can make the process easier on you both.
   

Why Trimming Nails Is Important

Your dog’s nails continuously grow. In the wild, your dog would naturally wear down his nails by traveling and hunting over different terrain. That’s not the case with domesticated dogs, though, since we’ve greatly changed their environments. Since domesticated dogs’ nails aren’t naturally worn down enough to keep up with their growth, we need to trim their nails for them.

If left uncared for, your dog’s nails can grow too long. You’ll notice this if you can hear every footstep click loudly as he walks across a hardwood or tile floor. Nails that are too long can chip and break, creating a painful condition that needs veterinary attention. Your dog can easily tear his toenails when playing outside. Additionally, nails left too long can make standing and moving painful and awkward for your dog. In extreme situations, the nails can continue to grow until they curl around and become embedded in the paws of your dog’s feet.