We all understand why clipping our own hand and toe nails is important. Well clipping your dogs nails is just as important for similar reasons. The difference is that your dog relies on you to ensure their nails are kept at optimum length and shape to keep them healthy and supporting, not impeding their movement.
You can clip your dogs nails yourself. To do so, we recommend researching the best techniques and buying a good set of dog friendly nail clippers or a dog nail grinder. The benefit of clipping your dog’s nails yourself is that your dog gets used to regular handling of their paws which creates trust for any grooming activity.
Nail clipping can have some serious stress and pain implications to your dog if not done correctly. If the quick is cut or splitting, cracking or tearing of the nail occurs it may cause bleeding. All of these things can lead to infection and may lead to your dog becoming aggressive or fearful of you touching them again.
As a result we recommend having your groomer clip your dogs nails. Nail length and health can be checked during your dogs regular grooming appointment. Nails should be cleaned as part of that service and your groomer will know what to look for in terms of length, shape and overall health of your dogs nails and paws. Professional groomers are also taught specific techniques to ensure your dogs nails are clipped safely and in an environment that avoids stress for your dog.
Here are 6 reasons why clipping your dog’s nails regularly is important to maintain a happy healthy dog.
1. Paw health
Well clipped and shaped nails will mean your dog can rely on their paws to move with confidence and ease and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Nails that grow too long can curl under and back into the pads of the paw. Severe instances of this type of nail growth can be painful for your furry friend. Even lesser extents impact your dogs comfort levels as they move.
2. Optimised mobility for your dog
Both the length and shape of a dogs nails can impact their movement. Nails should be clipped to follow the natural curve and similar to human nails should not have any sharp angles, rough or jagged edges that could be caught on uneven surfaces or objects that a dog may be moving past. A dogs nails can also be filed to ensure they are smooth and polished so they don’t present any hazard to their movements.
3. Avoid scratching and damage
Nails that are left too long can become dangerous to your dog, the humans and other dogs around him or her and also to your furniture! Long nails can scratch any surface they come in contact with and will also gather dirt and grime making any scratch on a human or other animal potentially more likely to become infected.
4. Traction and balance
Properly maintaining your dogs nails helps to avoid the issues that bad posture and reduced balance can initiate over time. If nails are left too long, over time, your dog may slip and slide on some surfaces. This can be dangerous for older dogs as they staying balanced and holding their own body weight up becomes more challenging. Dogs with unkept longer nails may start to compensate as they walk to avoid the pain of the nails pushing back into their paws. This in turn can result in toes being pushed into an unnatural position and have an impact on the alignment of joints, toes, nails along their paws and later on into their legs. Longer term issues such as arthritis, joint and hip pain and reduced or impaired mobility can follow. Well maintained nails promote a healthy stance across your dogs body for their long term health and wellbeing.
5. Comfort and wellbeing
Keeping your dogs nails regularly trimmed and clean not only enhances their physical comfort and wellbeing but it also helps support positive mood, confidence and mental wellbeing as they are able to move unimpeded. Long nails that cause discomfort or impact movement can make your dog sensitive and irritable as they navigate pain and discomfort whilst walking. Regular trimming means your furry friend can rely on their body to support them in all their movement demands of their body.
6. Myth buster - dog nail trimming doesn't happen naturally
Many owners ask us whether nail clipping is required given they walk their dogs daily. Most people assume that a dogs daily exercise either out in the park or around the home is enough to keep their nails buffed and at an appropriate length. This is not always a correct assumption.
Many of our dogs spend time on carpeted or polished floors or in grassy parks; surfaces that are not rough or callous enough to buff down nails. Walking regularly on rough surfaces may help keep your dogs nail length under control but is unlikely to keep the nails short enough to maintain good movement, posture and health. A telltale sign that your dogs nails need clipping is when they start to loudly create a pitter pattering noise on hard surfaces and making. If your dogs nails are making this noise, consult your dog groomer today.
Contact the team at Melbourne Pet Grooming for more information on dog nail health and dog nail clipping services. We offer affordable specialist pet grooming and day care services and have an extensive Dog Grooming Menu. We love welcoming clients in inner bayside Melbourne including South Melbourne 3205, Albert Park 3206 and Middle Park 3206, Port Melbourne 3207, St Kilda / West St Kilda 3182, East St Kilda 3183, Elwood 3184, Melbourne City 3000, St Kilda Road 3004, Docklands 3008