Why Trimming Your Dog’s Nails is an Important Health Issue

Ensuring that your dog’s nails are cut regularly is one of the most important methods of looking after his health.

Hardly any dog enjoys having their nails cut and while some merely tolerate it, most absolutely hate the process and actually require a tranquilizer and muzzle to ensure that the nails can be safely cut without the dog biting.

However, it is not something you can skip, because if you do, there is a possibility that their skeletal structure will be damaged later on in life.

Nail Anatomy

While nails are an effective weapon for cats, this is not the case with dogs, though dog nails are still extremely useful when it comes to turning corners, gripping ground, and accelerating to full speed. While outdoor dogs naturally wear down their nails over various surfaces, homebound dogs don’t have the same luxury, as ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl flooring, and carpet all fail to provide the necessary surface for the wearing process.

If a dog has long nails, it changes the way he carries himself, as the long nails cause the bones in the feet to flatten and other bones, such as the Phalanx I, Phalanx II and Metacarpal, become more angled each time the dog stands or walks. When pressure is applied, the different angle of these bones result in joint stress and the long-term outcome could be arthritis or joint pain.

In other words, dogs with long nails that never get trimmed may be in agony with each and every step they take; an unpleasant thought for any animal lover.

Further Damage

If that isn’t enough to worry about, altering the natural alignment of a dog’s leg by allowing him to walk around with long nails ensures that he is less steady when walking and this could result in an increased likelihood of broken or damaged bones. Once a dog’s joints are out of place in this manner, he may find it hard to prevent himself from falling and not landing awkwardly.

Unfortunately, the possible damage gets even worse, as all bones in a dog’s body are connected, meaning the leg bones can affect the spine. Since dogs can’t tell you what is wrong with them, nor can they trim their own nails, it is the owner’s responsibility to do so.

Nail Trimming & Frequency

There are breeds, such as the Italian Greyhound, that needs to have their nails trimmed every week or two. It is also possible to wear down nails with frequent walking and this can help to increase the length of time between each trimming. In some cases, it may take two people to trim a dog’s nails and if your pooch resists too much, you will need to take him to the veterinarian or have a professional groomer handle the task.

If you try to do it yourself, there is always the danger that you will hit the quick of the nail, which is a very painful experience for your dog. Make sure you have a product on hand that stops any bleeding, should your efforts draw blood. Now that you know trimming your dog’s nails is not simply a cosmetic issue, hopefully you will be able to properly check his nail’s health and prevent him from suffering any serious problems later on in his life.

Scottsdale Pet Hotel can help keep your dog’s nails trimmed – call today (480) 947-9636!