Ask The Groomer

Why is it important to have my dogs nails trimmed or filed?

There are several reasons why it is important to get your dog's nails trimmed or filed.  As the nails grow longer, they can curl and break as they get frail or become very sharp which can all lead to bigger issues. When the nerve known as the "quick" grows longer within the nails, it can cause pain, bleeding and a possible infection. In the long run, long nails can cause dogs to walk in an irregular way and in turn develop skeletal problems.

According to most veterinarians, it is ideal to get your pet's nails taken care of at least once a month.

As dogs nails grow longer, they can eventually start to curl around and push their toes sideways; the pressure felt on the toes can be compared to hammertoe syndrome in  humans. In addition, pain and soreness can radiate up the entire leg and cause Fido to not want to walk or stand up for long periods of time. Ingrown nails can also result when the nails become long enough to curl back into the paw pad.

Dogs with brittle nails can experience breakage when there is enough pressure. These broken nails can get jagged and sharp. In situations where the nails break and bleed, a styptic powder can be used to clot and stop the bleeding. Unfortunately, when a nail breaks very close to the toe and exposes the quick, it can it cause extreme nerve pain and may require a visit to your vet to get prescription medications that can treat the pain and prevent an infection.

Conveniently, dogs that often walk on concrete or pavement, file the sharp point of their nails down naturally as they walk. Conversely, dogs that spend more time walking on soft surfaces will end up with nails that have extremely sharp points.

Lastly, we all know it is not fun to find that your pets have shredded the upholstery of your couches or left permanent scratch markings on your hard wood floors when it can all be easily prevented.

If any of these things are happening to you or your precious pups, then it's time to visit your favorite groomer for a paw-dicure!