Not Taking Care of THESE can Damage Your Dog’s Skeletal Structure

Most of us do not give our dog’s nails much thought. If you take your dog to the vet or groomer’s for bathing, you may never think of them. But, a dog’s nails are more like our toes – if they go bad, it can affect the entire way they walk. In the case of a puppy, it can actually harm their conformation and lead to a host of problems. Allowing a puppy’s nails to grow too long will cause the toes to spread, which puts stress on the joints and could permanently affect their structure. Even in an adult dog, long nails can cause skeletal problems as they try to walk.

Long nails can also curl under, cutting into the skin and causing infections. Dew claws are the most common culprit, as owners often forget about clipping them.

How to Care For Your Dog’s Nails

Keeping your dog’s nails short is the single most important way to care for them. A good rule of thumb is if you can hear your dog’s nails “clacking” on hard surfaces, they are too long. Nails should never touch the ground.

Length. It is easiest if you never let the nail’s get long. Depending on your dog’s activity level and the types of surfaces she travels on daily, you may have to trim their nails weekly, or not at all. Urban hounds traversing on rough pavement rarely need nail trims. Dogs that run around on grass or sit in the house all day, may need them several times a month. The best thing to do is to monitor her nails, listen for the “clacking” and trim as soon as they start to get long.

Trimming. Be sure to use dog nail clippers, not human or cat. If the nails are short, just trim the very tips off. This is the ideal setting. However, if the nails are long and curled, most likely the quick is lengthened. When this happens, you have two choices. You can take your dog to the vet, have them sedated, and they will cut the nails back, past the quick. This is the quick way, though not exactly comfortable for your dog. The other choice is to slowly cut back the nails, cutting right to the quick (but not through it!), which will eventually cause the quick to recede. This takes longer, but is less painful. Consult a vet on which method is best for your pet’s condition.

Condition. While nail trimming is important, you should also pay attention to the condition for your dog’s nails. Dry, cracked nails can be a sign of many illnesses including but not limited to, Cushing’s, cancer or tumor, infection, fungus, neoplasia, malnutrition, etc. While trimming, look for dry, cracked nails and let your vet know if you notice the nail quality deteriorating.  Check the nail beds too and make sure they are healthy. Any signs of infection or fungus should immediately be shown to a vet.

Maintenance. Help maintain your dog’s nails through his diet. A balanced diet should include all the nutrients, calcium, in particular, to ensure healthy nails. If you do not think your dog’s diet is giving them the right mix, you can add supplements to help strengthen his nails.

About the Author

Based in Tustin, Calif., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She also owns her own custom pet products company, A Fairytail House, where she makes personalized collars, leashes, beds, keepsake pillows and blankets, and anything else your imagine can think up. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs.