Can you hear your dog’s toenails clicking on the ground as he walks? Otherwise, your dog’s nails are the proper length for his health and longevity. Keep up with any activities that 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 just trimming a dog’s nail tips once or twice a year is enough. If you can hear a click, it is not working. As in humans, dog nails never stop growing. But, unlike humans, their rapids (the part that receives blood) keep growing. If the dog does not naturally cut or grind the nails on a regular basis, the rapids get longer and longer and eventually this will cause the dog to step on its feet incorrectly and / or the nails to grow directly into the ground. dog pad. Nails that grow out of 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 grind the nails naturally. You can trim your own dog’s nails at home. Twenty percent of dog owners can keep their dog’s nails trimmed at home. You are most likely one of the 80% of owners who take their dog to a professional groomer or veterinarian to have his nails trimmed. If you have a dog with curling nails (such as 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 nails (shepherds, boxers, labs), then exercise alone can do the trick. There are several types of nail clippers (and dremel) you can choose from to trim 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 naturally move 1/8 to 1/4 inch away from the edge of the nail within a few days of being cut. This is why dogs that run every day never have bleeding nails and never need to have their nails trimmed.
How do you get the correct length nails in a humane way? Have the nails trimmed (ie ΒΌ inch ahead of the fast) every 5 to 10 days until the length of the nail is back where it should be, without clicking on the floor when the dog walks. It is normal for the hairdresser to cut their nails too short if the goal is to achieve more than “just the tips.” It is better for your dog’s long-term health to have a groomer who constantly cuts too short, rather than the alternative.
Clicking nails is an easy tell-tale sign for all dog owners to judge if 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 a monthly trim. Each 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, hear the click.
Copyright 2010 DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
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